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

Darebin Council has started the formal round of consultation on their next Council Plan. This is the strategic document that sets out their priority areas of action for the next few years - and subsequently steers their investment in our community.

So … this is your chance to have yours say - get in before the 1 September!

Here is the link to the very quick survey you can complete.

And … whilst you are thinking about rubbish bins and street planting and all the ratey- related things … don’t forget that Council also plays a fabulous role in building and supporting social services to help us all out at our more vulnerable times and make our lives better … (like their investment in kinders, maternal and child health care, aged services, neighbourhood houses, sporting clubs and facilities etc.) and are also advocates for the interests of our community at higher levels of government … including encouraging practical action around wicked problems like climate change, immigration policy, gambling harm etc.

It is great to think strategically about how you would like Council to invest their $$ locally - and this is your chance to let them know!

Are you a local artist? Come and join in our annual Winter Arts Exhibition on the weekend of 16-18 August.

You can find out all the details and book in here.

The event includes our Opening Night from 5-7pm on Friday 16 August where our whole community is invited to come along and appreciate the local talent! We’ll have drinks and finger food. It’ll be fun.

Then on Saturday and Sunday the exhibition will also be open from 10am-4pm for anyone to drop in.

We hope to see you there!

Alphington Arts, our new night time arts group will kick off on Thursday 18 July at 7.30pm. The idea behind this group is that we keep costs down by different people sharing their creative knowledge and skills. We’ll have 4 sessions over the coming semester (2 per term).

And first up we’ll be exploring basket weaving with Kayti Murphy. You may have seen Kayti’s baskets at our makers markets - or bought her teatowels and/or pickled radishes.

Thanks so much Kayti for volunteering to share your knowledge and skills.

So … if you are keen to join in you can join up for the semester here.

And then come along for some low key creative evenings. BYO drinks and/or snacks to share if you are so inclined.

Alphington Arts

$40.00

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The (now) annual Yarra Neighbourhood House Network thank you lunch for volunteers was on this Saturday - rounding up National Volunteer Week.

It was lovely that some of our committee and fabulous volunteers got to meet other volunteers across Yarra, and enjoy lunch and music and chatting.

The event was also attended by key staff and Councillors from Yarra which was super.

At ACC we have so many people who do big and little things to help each week - from coordinating their book club to teaching line dancing … to dropping off the money, helping out at our markets, knitting, cooking, setting up toy library … providing extra support for participants for our access all abilities programs … and of course being on our committee of governance to help guide our strategic direction.

So … thanks so much to EVERYONE who puts time and energy into ACC. We really appreciate it!