So … our renovations are powering along. Eastern Property Services have been super lovely and efficient to work with.

This week the slab was poured for the new building in the backyard. And the frame for the building is being delivered on Monday. So this week should be exciting out there.

Inside we are busy sorting and organising … because on Thursday the asbestos will be removed from the ceiling in our office and in the foyers (and we have a LOT of stuff in our office and the foyers). There is also asbestos in the lino under the carpet tiles in our two main rooms that will come out.

So we need to clear everything out and … after the asbestos is removed, and until the ceilings are reinstated and the carpet tiles go back down, we’ll have our main rooms closed and we will be using the desk in room 3 for our office during the day (where we usually have podcasting/counselling/music lessons). To compensate for the closed rooms we will be reorganising the community shed space - so it can be used for a wider variety of programming.

Kalimna and I are in the process now of contacting all our users that will be impacted by the works, to ensure they (you) have an alternative plan. If we haven’t spoken to you yet we’ll do it early this week … but if you are worried please feel free also to give us a call!

It’s all going to be fine … it is all a bit up in the air, but the focus is on keeping things running … and we don’t want anyone to feel concerned.

In this light, please note that our outside programming, including playgroups and our Friday community program should not be impacted by the ongoing works … we’ll use the kitchen by the community shed and the shed itself if we need indoor space … and we’ll have access to the toilet through room 3 … and it will be exciting and different and fun!

(Hopefully).

It was super lovely to welcome our colleague Kathy Vrettas from Yarra City Council to our community morning on Friday. And we were delighted that she brought along Cr Edward Crosslands who is the new Yarra Mayor.

The Yarra neighbourhood houses have such a great relationship with Council, and we are always thrilled when staff and councillors come along so we can show off all the exciting things we have been up to - and that deliver on our shared strategic objectives to create great services for our local community.

And … to mark the occasion … I FINALLY took a photo of some of our crafting friends who come along on Fridays with GenU. They have been coming for at least 6 months now, and we really look forward to them attending each week. Such nice people!

If you are interested in craft or gardening - with a good dose of socialising thrown in - our community mornings might be just right for you too! Come along from 10am. All welcome. Lunch is at 12pm.

Hello book readers,

We have three spots available for anyone that would like to join a Book Club.

• Monday 3rd book club - one spot available

• Tuesday 3rd book club - two spots available

As the names suggest, these book clubs meet on the third Monday and the third Tuesday of each month respectively. The book clubs meet here at our centre at 7pm and take home a book for the month - 10 for the year.

There is an annual fee of $60 to cover book hire from Darebin Libraries and administration from our end.

You can join here.

Hi, we are really looking forward to saying hello to everyone as we resume our action packed Friday program. It has been great to get some phone calls and emails from our regulars already.

This year we will be running a similar program to last year - but with a few tweaks to the timing of things, so please note …

Community Gardening/SHEd

From 10am, come along and join Clare and Corrado outside as they work to improve our lovely grounds. Over the year you will have the opportunity to learn about growing and maintaining an urban orchard and vegetable garden, composting and pruning and how to save seeds, grow seedlings … all the things! And depending on interest, there is also the opportunity to work collectively on small scale projects in our community shed.

If you have passed by recently you will see that our raised garden beds will be looking for some love after a month of wild growing (the tomatoes definitely need staking!). And as always I am sure Clare has lots of creative plans for the year ... This is a great opportunity to meet local people. No need to enrol, just come along with your hat and gloves and join in.

Community Craft

From 10.30am we’ll be running our inside craft group - suitable for knitters and crocheters etc. We are always delighted to welcome new people of all abilities and skill levels to join in. Bring your own materials along if you’d like to work on your own project, or you can use our donated stash if you’d like to make things that we can sell to support the program. Again, no need to book, just come along and join in.

Community Lunch

At 12pm you can join us for a light lunch. We’ll come together to enjoy foods such as pasta bakes, soup, toasties etc. with a cup of tea or coffee and dessert, including fruit. This program is supported by our lovely friends at the Alphington CWA who donate amazing sweet and savoury home cooked dishes. Yum!

AAA Art in the Shed

For anyone needing to access all abilities programs, you can join Clare, Corrado and Hazel from 1-2pm for some arty fun. This program is tailored to the interests of participants. It costs $5 weekly, and you must book in for the term on our website. Please note that places are limited.

We were delighted to welcome back many of our playgroup friends from last year today.

Our Wednesday playgroup runs from 10am-12pm and is suitable for parents, carers and grandparents to attend - with their littlest darlings (of course)!

We set up activities each week, have tea and coffee available (or the cafe is just next door … and you can borrow a mug from us to minimise waste) and we have staff on hand to facilitate introductions if you feel a little shy the first time you come along!

Our playgroup is primarily run outside in our front garden, but we also set up a space inside with toys if you prefer an indoor experience.

No need to book in, just bring your snacks and a hat and come along! All welcome.