Thanks to those that donated tiles for our mosaic project. We’re making a new garden bed for the very front corner of our site.

After a busy weekend and some more creativity during the week the 4 panels are well underway (we ‘re doing the fiddly bits first). We’ll continue working on this project sporadically over the next month or so and hopefully it will be installed by our next big art event, being Alphington Open Studios, coming up in November this year.

Here are some progress pictures for those that are interested. If you’d like to help out just get in contact with us and we’ll let you know when we will be mosaicking (most likely Thursday and/or Friday mornings … ). Just email us at info@alphington.org.au or talk to Leanne or Lee or Clare if you are here.

Last year (or was it the year before …) Thomas came along to Gardening Group with a fresh chilli, and asked Clare to teach him how to grow his own chilli plant from it. So Clare and Thomas started the process - drying the chilli pod, saving the seeds, planting the seeds, nurturing the seedlings … planting and growing the plants, harvesting the chillies, drying them … and saving the seeds … AND NOW … if you pop past our little seed library out the front you can pick up some of Thomas’s seeds to plant in your own garden! And Thomas is an expert in growing chilli plants.

Also … we’ve got some dried chillies (that we put in the dehydrator) in the kitchen for our community cooking too!

If you would like to learn more about the processes and practicalities of gardening and growing food at home, join Clare on Friday mornings in the garden from 10.30am-12pm … spring is a great time to get going so you have a wonderful summer vegetable garden to admire (and eat!).

Phew … we’re recovering from the Winter Art Salon this week … a fabulous and very busy few days (check out the separate post for photos etc.) and we hope you made it along to see all the beautiful art and local talent for yourself!

Speaking of local talent, Yarra Council came along and interviewed Marlene a couple of weeks ago at Crunch - check out the little video they made here. Thanks Marlene for being such a good sport (and saying such lovely things about us) when put on the spot!

And of course time doesn’t stand still here at ACC … we’re straight into another action packed week.

Of note:

• Preserves Group on Tuesday at 1pm. I think we’re making cumquat marmalade.

• Alphington Arts on Thursday night from 7.30pm. Come along and get arty! Have a chat etc.

• Also two Book Clubs on Monday and Tuesday evening given it’s the 3rd week of the month!

• And all the usual things - playgroups, toy library, art classes, music lessons, play reading, choir, line dancing, community lunch, gardening. AAA Arts etc.

Finally … our AGM is coming up on 31st August. We look forward to reviewing the year with a quick slide show, ticking off the finances … and we’ll share some food etc. Book in and come along if you’d like to help us celebrate what we’ve been up to over the last 12 months.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Cheers Leanne

What a great event! So super to have so many people involved this year. About 40 people entered the show and we had nearly 130 works hanging in the space.

And lots of new people involved. We had more than 80 people attend the opening on Friday night and a steady stream Of visitors over the weekend.

Thanks to the ACC Committee who volunteered on Friday night on the door, on art sales and in the kitchen … and all the artists who personned the gallery over the weekend.

Also thanks to Anne Warren for organising ‘Melbourne Collage Meets’ to be part of it too.

Here is a little video of the gallery that we published on our socials … and some photos.

Hi everyone,

Our annual Winter Arts Salon is happening this coming weekend! We have lots of artists who are joining in this year, including some local favourites and some new faces. We’re really looking forward to hosting this event.

Please join us for a fun opening night on Friday from 5-7pm. Drinks and nibbles provided. $5 donation at the door. You can pop in after work … before going out for the evening etc. And if you can’t make it on Friday that we hope to see you over the weekend. The show is open on Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 4pm.

This week Fran Cusworth’s novel-writing workshop ‘The Momentum to Write’ is starting up, and it is fully booked, which is super. We hope it goes well and will expect lots of great novels to emerge from our neighbourhood in the next few years!? (no pressure!).

And on Thursday evening from 7.15-8pm, we are pleased to have Keiko back for Sound Healing with Crystal Bowls. If you’d like to attend then contact Keiko directly (details in our brochure).

As always, don’t forget to visit our website here to see all the programs happening at ACC and book in online!

Cheers Leanne