A reminder for anyone with Year 12 students that we are hosting a series of ‘practise exam’ opportunities at ACC on Saturday afternoons in October. It will be a great chance for students to get used to study conditions and set aside some time to practise any exam they choose.

The cost is $15. Book in here.

We think this is a fabulous new initiative and would love your help to spread the word.

As you probably know, local government elections are coming up, and the lovely Sarah from AFCA has approached us to hold a ‘meet the candidates’ session for the South East Darebin Ward.

If you are keen to come along please RSVP here. Also, if you would like to ask a question of the candidates please register it with us before the event.

Last week we had a Committee of Governance Meeting. Our AGM is coming up on Monday 28 October at 6.30pm and we are hoping to find one or two new committee members. If you have a passion for spreading kindness, helping build community connections and looking out for the most vulnerable in the neighbourhood we’d love you to think about joining up and supporting our lovely organisation. Give me a call or email to chat further.

It is a very non-onerous commitment. Our organisation runs like a well-oiled machine now … and the role of the Committee is not day to day. It provides strategic oversight, meeting about 8 times a year on the last Monday of the month (not in school holidays) - to endorse professionally prepared quarterly finance reports and to double check that the day to day management and programs we offer are addressing the organisational priorities set out in our strategic plan. It also provides an important compliance role for our not-for-profit incorporated association relating to risk management etc.

Our next big undertaking is a review our Constitution and to look at applying for Deductible Gift Recipient status. If you have experience to share around this whole process we would love you to put your hand up!

And on to other things.

You’ll notice if you pass by and look carefully that I painted the pot by the front door orange on Tuesday - to add a bit or razzle dazzle to all our lives! We also put a sign up next to our Marking Time project on the wall under the office window. Just to explain to anyone passing by that those marks represent the 6 lockdowns and 262 days we all experienced … it feels a long time ago now doesn’t it? Thank goodness.

It is coming up to to Adult Learners Week and, as neighbourhood houses in general offer quite a lot of learning opportunities for adult learners, Darebin Libraries have invited all the houses in Darebin to do something at their local library. We love doing things in partnership with the Library (hello book clubs) … and we will be having a display in the Fairfield Library windows for the month of September. So … next time you are walking through the Fairfield community building take a look. Kalimna has printed a whole heap of her photos that capture so beautifully all the learning opportunities we offer here … and we’ve got our program up and brochures out etc. Fun! Thanks so much Fiona (from the Libraries) for organising this opportunity.

Council elections are coming up … and we’re looking at holding a meet and greet so that our community gets a chance to have friendly conversations with the Darebin candidates in the South East Ward (that’s us). We’re doing this is partnership with AFCA (Alphington Fairfield Civic Association) and we’re more the host site than the key organisers, but there is a tentative date of Thursday 19 September on the cards.

If you are interested in coming along you can email us here and we’ll keep you up to date with the plan as it evolves.

Ok, that’s it I think. Oh yes, this is the last week of Crunch for this term - come along if you are keen. Also, our Wednesday Playgroup is busy and friendly … and everyone is welcome. 10am -12pm. Also … our Tuesday Active Adult exercise class is building. If you are interested in joining in too please call or email. We can adjust the payment for the weeks still to come. It works out at $15 a week, and Jess who runs it is lovely! 11am - the perfect time to keep fit!

Also, see the post below about the DIY Lemon Cleaner Workshop. We’d love to see you!

Have a great week.

Leanne

We’ve had an abundance of lemon 🍋 donations (thanks everyone) - and Clare is keen to share how to make your own cleaner with them. It’ll make your house smell delightful! And … is very effective.

So, we are going to run a pop-up workshop on Thursday 12 September from 11am for an hour. The cost is $10. You can book in using the link below.

BYO passata size jar (or 2 or 3 or 4) - you might have some you could share? Clare will take you through the steps. We’ll make you a fancy coffee!

It’ll be lovely.

Register here if you are keen to come along.

We’ve had a week of recovery after the Winter Arts Exhibition. Kalimna took some beautiful photos that you should check out.

Most art work has now been collected - but if you haven’t been past yet please arrange a time. Call, email or pop in during our office hours.

After Preserves Group last week we have some delicious new winter fruit chutney for sale - it has apricots and prunes and apples and is fabulous with cheeses or meats. Along with some zucchini pickles. Always yum! Thanks everyone who came along for our cook up - it was great.

On Friday our gardeners planted some new trees in our garden … and a new statue the week before. The photos are linked below.

We still have 2 weeks of Crunch coming up. Book in - it is friendly, yummy and creative. You can check out what we made this week below. Very gorgeous!

Other news? I can’t think!

Oh yes … the second month of Grateful Gathering run by local Janet is coming up on Wednesday. When we first advertised this lots of people expressed interest … but then not everyone turned up. So, this a reminder that it is on! If haven’t expressed interest before but are interested you can contact Janet via email alphingtongratefulliving@gmail.com.

Also … Darebin Council is doing consultation on the next Council Plan. See the link to have your say. It is important that the community gives feedback on this as it shapes the funding priorities of Council for the next 4 years.

And finally the ‘Big Ideas’ public consultation on Plan Victoria closes this week. This document will guide planning across our State to 2050. So you might like to take a look and put your two bobs in! Here is the link.

Thanks everyone. Have a great week.

Leanne