We have tiles in the kitchen.

We have plaster with paint! and cabinetry in the new pod in the backyard.

And our new toy library room has a flat floor and shelves …

Hooray. This week we’re expecting the pergola slab to be poured on Monday and the floorboards to be sanded on Thursday … so we’re looking at being on track for Term 2 functionality.

Daniel will be offering guitar lessons from the start of Term 2 at Alphington Community Centre.

His classes will be on a Tuesday in the afternoon and evening. You can contact Daniel by email to book in.

Here is a bit about Daniel.

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I currently run a new community music project I put together last year called Circle of Guitars. This project allows me to run group guitar sessions and provides an opportunity for community members to get together and play music.

I am a performing guitarist with a passion for music. In the music scene, I have been involved in numerous bands and exciting musical projects (Harmony Universe, Bernadette Novembre, Neo Lilac), performed across Melbourne's highly regarded venues (Melbourne Recital Centre, the Night Cat, Uptown Jazz Cafe), and was invited to play live on air (3AW).

With over 15 years experience as a dedicated educator, I have taught students from diverse backgrounds in different settings such as universities (Australian Catholic University), Secondary schools (Ave Maria College), and in studio's across Melbourne.

By incorporating infectious enthusiasm, relatable personality, and imaginative approaches I have been able to help pupils overcome challenges while discovering their unique voices in music. It is my aim to provide students with a practical knowledge of the instrument as well as an explanation of theoretical components that are inherent within the music.

My teaching method draws from performing experience and industry standard pedagogies. I specialise in popular musical styles including blues, jazz, rock, metal, pop, country and more.

Images from festival in 2022

We are pleased to have the Japanese playgroup/education sessions - Kirin Kyoushitsu (Kirin ELC) continuing at Alphington Community Centre in Term 2, with a new name.

Maimi and Risa will be running sessions on Monday and Thursday:

• 0-1 year-old: 10:00-10:30am (30 minutes class) - storytime, singing songs, flashcards, etc. 

• 2-3 year-old: 10:40-11:30am (50 minutes class) - singing songs, flashcards, gaining writing and reading skills, introducing some mathematical concepts, etc.

• 3.5-5 year-old: 11:40-12:30pm (50 minutes class) - singing songs, flashcards, gaining writing and reading skills, expanding some mathematical concepts, etc.

Please note that parents and carers must remain on site during the sessions. You can contact Risa via email to enquire about fees or to book in.

Coming up on Sunday 5 May, the CWA high tea is back at Alphington Bowls Club.

Email cwaofalphington@gmail.com to book your spot or table. Tickets cost $60.

A fabulous way to catch up with family and friends (an early Mothers Day afternoon tea perhaps?) and help our local CWA friends fundraise for all the wonderful causes they support.

This year the guest speaker is Kashif Hayat from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.

As you probably know, supporting people seeking asylum in Australia is also a cause dear to our heart - ACC is an official donation point for the ASRC (you can drop supermarket items off with us anytime - our cupboard is always open).

Thanks everyone who has come along for the renovation ride this term. It has been an exciting and some days rocky road! But … plaster is going in and the veranda in the backyard is being built … and it is all good. We’re looking forward to a much improved space emerging!

We’re hopeful that by the time we return from the school holidays in 2+ weeks we’ll be functional again.

And be able to host an opening up party - look out for the details.

As you probably are aware, the renovations will enable us to run more activities at once, and we already have the U3A thinking of running another program here, a new guitar teacher keen to start lessons in term 2 and our Japanese Playgroup friends are returning (after thinking last year that they weren’t). If you run a small business and need a venue, or have a great idea for a program that you’d like to see in the local community- we’d really love to hear from you.

Just email info@alphington.org.au or call our office on 9499 7227.

Happy Easter everyone, we’ll be closing the office on Wednesday this week, and will officially restart programming from Monday 15 April, but in the meantime we will be in and out these holidays to keep an eye on the renovation and bed down the planning for next term.