At ACC as you probably know, we get by on the smell of an oily rag. All the things that happen here are implemented by less than 2.5 EFT (effective full time) staff hours.

It’s a miracle … not really!

We rely on a fabulous group of volunteers to help us run all the things we run.

Starting from the top of our organisation is our Committee of Governance who kindly put aside a couple of hours each month to help us plan our strategic direction and provide high level support.

Then we have wonderfully committed people who run things week in and out … like the two Shirley’s from line dancing - one who leads the group and the other who comes past each week to deliver the money.

And Phil who has joined us this year for 2 hours weekly to help our neighbours learn how to wrangle their devices (and David who used to do this but has been up in Sydney).

And Anne who helps in our garden (and Demisse who was here last year - we’re missing him).

And Sarah who sets up toy library each week.

And all the people who put their hand up to be the leader of their book club or playgroup … or any other activity that is part of our program.

And Elaine and Manu and Monica who make preserves to sell … and Anne and Marie Louise who have been yarn bombing and crafting … and Elaine (again) who knits and knits … and Sandra … and Frank who knits 🧶 too.

And the AAA Bowls volunteers who support Jill and run such a wonderful program …

Thanks all. Your big(ger) and the small(er) contributions make all the difference - and we know we couldn’t possibly do it without you.

Happy National Volunteers Week.

This week we completed our long planned street art project - acknowledging the 262 days we collectively stayed at home to look after each other and protect the most vulnerable in our community between 22 March 2020 and 21 October 2021. Six colours - one for each lockdown. 262 lines - one for each day. Lovely to have Lee back on board this term to help deliver our community art project ideas!

Kathy with her brother Geoff and their parents.

Our latest Covid story comes from Kathy who many of you may know from Jika Jika Community Centre in Westgarth. Her story isn’t about having Covid as such, but about the grief of losing both her parents during lockdown … and how much harder the global pandemic made things.

In her interview she mentioned her mum’s singing, and we tried to ring her at Jika to see if she could send the recording through … but unfortunately Kathy has now caught Covid and is at home resting up. Covid really is everywhere at the moment isn’t it?

Best wishes for a speedy recover Kathy. We hope you are feeling better quickly. And thanks so much for sharing your story.

Listen on Apple Podcasts here.

Listen on Spotify here.

Or listen via our website here.

A picture of baby Kathy with her mum and dad.

This weekend Manu will be sharing her skills in the kitchen in a hands on workshop called Indian breads 101.

We think we are very lucky to have people like Manu in our community who are willing to share their skills and also very lucky to have the wonderful Melbourne Farmers Market just down the road - who are so generous in sharing their facilities and have such a strong commitment to the community. Their kitchen is an amazing space and will be the perfect location to learn how to make four types of Indian breads - roti, layered paratha, stuffed paratha and poori.

This sold out workshop runs this Saturday 14th May from 11am-1pm in the community kitchen at the Melbourne Farmers Market, located just a hop, skip and a jump from us at 2 Wingrove Street, Alphington.

If you missed out on being part of this workshop and are keen, I am sure Manu will run similar workshops in the future. Keep an eye on our second semester brochure ... And if you want to find out more about our local farmers market which runs every Sunday morning you can click here. Thanks once again Miranda and co. for your support. It is really appreciated.

This week is Neighbourhood House Week, a great week to stop and reflect on all the fabulous things we do, and remember why we do them!

At ACC we hope to contribute to creating and supporting a strong and connected community … and along the way we want to:

• Enable individuals to live well, and lead healthy, active, creative and sustainable lives

• Nurture community connections, and

• Action a fairer society for all.

Our program of events and activities all contribute to achieving this overarching goal (our vision) and these objectives.

For example, our Arty Gardening program encourages participants to live more sustainably, be creative and get outdoors and do some physical activity through gardening. It ticks lots of boxes!

Our Ukulele Group enables people to live well by learning new skills and doing something they love, encourages creativity through music and enables participants to make friends with fellow musicians.

Our food collection for the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is all about playing a part in actioning a fairer society for all.

And we run our weekly morning teas to nurture community connections between locals. We also sell the Friends of Baucau coffee to nurture community connections - at the organisational level - connecting ACC with the Friends of Baucau. And … by selling the coffee via Juliet at the milkbar we are also creating a meaningful three-way partnership/community connection and supporting her small and valued local business along the way. Wins all round right!

This week to celebrate neighbourhood house week we thought you might like to join us for morning tea on Friday. If you are around please come along from 11.30am for a cuppa, some cake and a chat. We’d love to see you!