Budgets, grants applications and acquittals, Council submissions … last week was flat out behind the scenes … and busy in person as well.

Lots of people attended the Embracing Life and Death discussions on Thursday afternoon. Crunch was a small group this time (but lovely - we did still life painting with gouache paint), we got a delivery of a couple of cubic metres of compost to keep us busy in the garden on Friday (thanks Nat at Darebin Council for organising this again!) … and two birthday parties were held at ACC 🥳 on Sunday.

This week CWA is meeting at the Gleeson Centre on Monday night, Garden to Plate is on Thursday at 11.30am … and it’s the long weekend … so we’ll see you back on deck next Tuesday.

Hope you make the most of it. I am planning to go to Rutherglen (to check out the wineries) with some of my oldest friends from university. Should be fun!

Cheers Leanne

We are really looking forward to our two upcoming sustainability workshops!

Living Soils, Living People

The first workshop is next week on Saturday the 16th of May from 10am - 12pm. In this workshop we will be learning about soils and their microbes and how they can affect our health - from plants to our guts to even our minds. We will get to look at live microbes under a microscope and make our own microbial inoculants to take home. Perfect for the many aspiring scientists and expert gardeners in our community!

To book into this workshop, please visit our website here.

Clothes Mending

The second workshop will be the following Saturday the 23rd of May from 10am - 1pm. This workshop will focus on techniques for mending clothes. We will be learning about hand sewing and repairing basic rips, holes and various imperfections. It’s a great way to reduce waste and get some extra life out of your favourite clothes!

To book into this workshop, please visit our website here.

On Thursday we will be back with another of our awesome Thriftsavers Op-Shop Adventures! This time we will be heading over to Sydney Rd in Brunswick to peruse Savers, Vinnies and some of the smaller stores, before getting a coffee/cake together. It’s a great opportunity to connect with locals from our Alphington community and hopefully find a fashionable and sustainable bargain or two.

We had such a fun time running these tours last year and are very excited to be doing them again. Thanks Clifton Hill/North Fitzroy Community Bank for supporting these trips!

We will leave from ACC at 10am (please be here on time) and come back at 2pm on public transport (but no need to bring a myki because it’s still free for this month!). If you are interested in joining us you can book in here at this link. We would love to see you!

In Term 2 we have some great things coming up to book in to.

Our next Thrift Seekers Adventure is on Thursday 30th of April. Just $5 to explore Sydney Road together from 10am-2pm and share some morning tea. Book here.

And then we have some workshops in May for Clothes Mending and understanding microbes in our soils Living Soils, Living People. Learn how to fix your favourite jeans or other basics book here. $10 on Saturday 23rd of May from 10am-1pm. Or to understand the connection of plants, gut and mental health from our living soils book here. $10 on Saturday 16th of May from 10am-12pm.

Don’t forget that Rosie is returning with her Community Yoga classes. Join her at any level. BYO mat. Book your spot in her wonderful classes here.

And Clare’s Artful Painting and Drawing 8 week classes continue with more dates to choose from. Contact Clare directly on 0423 453 160.

We also have our 2nd Tuesday of the month Book Club starting up. Book in here. $70 for the year.

Our red carpet edition … kids, adults and fur babies galore!