MEN’S BREAKFAST – FEBRUARY 2026

A simple table. Real talk. Stronger men.

After the busyness before Christmas, it’s time to come back to something steady.

The Men’s Breakfast is a monthly gathering for men to reconnect — with themselves first, and with other men who value honesty, responsibility, and heart.

To make catering and logistics smooth, this breakfast is run as:

✔ Pre-booked tickets only – $15 each
✔ Seats must be secured before the breakfast

The breakfast runs from 8am-10.30am. Click here to book in.

For more information you can contact John on 0439 899 352 or email coachinglifework@gmail.com.

Why hello!

I hope you have had a lovely summer break. A pretty crazy one hey, weather wise? Not so warm … very very very warm … fires and floods (sorry if you were affected - so much loss across the Victorian community - houses, farms, cars and caravans. My sister drove through the Streatham/Skipton fire aftermath just the other day and was quite shocked and couldn’t get over how scary it must have been for that community).

I have been down at Aireys Inlet and was in a dilemma whether to stay or leave on the hot day when the fires started, then impacted by the smoke from the Otway fires (it was quite overwhelming for a bit there before the wind changed) … and no sooner had that ended and I got stuck in Lorne due to the floods there (we even had to go to the Emergency Relief Centre for a little bit which was a surreal experience).

The fires from the Otways spreading smoke to Aireys Inlet.

Pretty amazing how quickly the bridge got de-mudded and the shops affected were cleared of water and they started the process of drying out with big fans/heaters.

But then (on a happier note) we saw the Aurora Australis. So spectacular. We just wandered down to the local beach and looked south … and there it was!

The Southern Cross in the sky. We were looking out from on the hill (where the toilet block is) just at the inlet at Aireys Inlet.

From the car park at the inlet … looking out over the bit where the river meets the beach at Aireys Inlet.

I am back in Melbourne Monday, and I am hoping my tomatoes have ripened up and my zucchini have not yet turned into marrows! And that my potted plants have somehow managed to survive …

I know that both Corrado and Jenny have been popping into ACC over the break to keep the garden alive (big thanks to you both) - and Project Stationery have been making the most of all the spaces at ACC (I saw on Instagram a photo of people sorting textas outside under the front pergola). And as they haven’t had to contact me for any emergencies, I am assuming all is well at our home base, and I am looking forward to getting back to work and catching up with everyone!

We’re back in the office from Wednesday this week, and we will kick off our first Community Morning for the year on Friday - gardening, craft and chats from 10am and lunch at 12pm - perhaps tomatoes and zucchinis will be on the menu!?!

Looking forward to a great 2026 and hope to see you at ACC soon.

And look after yourself Tuesday - 45 is just way too hot.

Cheers Leanne

Hi everyone,

The last few weeks have been great fun as we’ve been winding down for the year. AAA Bowls finished with a barbecue on Wednesday, and all of our AAA Arts participants took home folios of their fantastic creations on Friday. And we had a great day on our Thriftseekers Op ShopAdventure on Thursday checking out all the op shops on High Street in Preston.

We’re also very proud to have been part of another successful Alphington Open Studios. We had some really amazing artists this year and it was great to see so many people come through the doors despite the weather (which was a bit bleak at times).

Now it’s just about time for Christmas, and we’re looking forward to our big Christmas Lunch this Friday. It will be on from 12-2pm. This year we’re going to have some great musical performances and a visit from a very jolly VIP. We would love for anyone that’s been part of our Alphington community this year to come along! Please email or call to RSVP if you aren’t a Community Lunch regular so we can plan our food!

Alphington Christmas Carols will be on Sunday the 21st of December at 7pm over at Alphington Bowls Club. We’ll be singing all the classics and hope it will be a night of both Christmas and community spirit! Bring a gold coin donation - it will go to a worthy cause.

Project Stationery will be setting up shop here from next Sunday and will be sorting and redistributing stationery over the whole summer period. This is a great use of our space while we are closed over the school holidays.

Wishing everyone a very happy holidays, look out for our new brochure. Coming soon!

Cheers Leanne

We have four vibrant book clubs that meet monthly in the evening here at ACC.

And currently there are a few vacancies for 2026:

• Monday 2nd Book Club - there are two places available

• Monday 3rd Book Club - there are three places available

• Tuesday 3rd Book Club - there is one place available

• Thursday 1st Book Club - there are two places available

Please visit our site to book yourself a spot if you would like to join. It is $70 for the year.

Hi everyone,

Wow it is December ALREADY and not long before the summer holidays begin (how quickly has this year flown by?!) - and we have a couple of last events to look forward to. This Thursday we are off on another of our Op Shop Adventures for our fellow shopaholics on a budget. We’ll go to Preston this time. Book in online here and don’t forget to bring your myki as we will be travelling on public transport!

The final Men’s Breakfast run this Saturday, 6 December at 8am. $10 for breakfast and good company. Read on for more details!

We will also be hosting our Christmas Lunch at 12pm next Friday 12 December. If you are part of the ACC community - a line dancer, book clubber, musician, artist - we’d love to see you for our end of year celebration! Just contact us if you are not a regular community lunch person so we can provide the right amount of food! We look forward to seeing you and perhaps one more friend will be joining us (hint - he wears a LOT of red and white).

Otherwise this week we will be running:

• Garden to Plate this morning from 11.30am-1pm

• Toy Library Collection Tuesday from 1-3pm and Wednesday from 10am-12pm

• AAA Bowls at Alphington Bowls Club, Alphington Playgroup here at the centre and Line Dancing at the Alphington Scout Hall all on Wednesday from 10am-12pm

• Armchair Theatre Wednesday from 1-3pm

• First Wednesday of the Month Book Club Wednesday evening from 7.30-9pm

• First Thursday of the Month Book Club Thursday morning from 10-11.30am

• Community Morning Friday from 10am-12pm

• Community Lunch Friday from 12-1pm

• AAA Art Friday from 1-2pm

Cheers, Leanne