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’re in round 12 … and a big congratulations to Adopted Crupi (Corrado) … with ‘Soarin’ (Thomas) coming second so far … only one point behind. Then we have a tie for 3rd - Dansuri and Richicog … with Alex and Rose coming a bit* further down the ladder.

However, they (Alex and Rose) are diligently coming in to ACC every week on Friday to update the IRL ladder for all to admire. See below for the latest photo of the results.

I (Leanne) started taking an extra interest in the footy a week or so ago when Jack Ison got his first game with Carlton - he and his family were at Fairfield PS with my kids and he played at Parkside Footy Club etc. So lots of local families were pretty chuffed to see him play in the AFL (I saw posts all over Instagram).

Anyway … I digress. We’re all looking forward to the rest of the season. I am sure we will rustle up a fabulous prize or two for the winners.

And a big thanks to those who are participating. It has been a super talking point through the week for everyone at ACC - particularly on Fridays.

* oops … second last (but they’re taking it in their stride)

Were you separated from your baby through forced adoption?

The Victorian Government has established a redress scheme to acknowledge the impact of historical forced adoption practices on mothers who continue to live with the serious, complex and ongoing effects of forced separation from their babies.

The scheme has been open since 2024 and is taking applications until 31 January 2028.

The Historical Forced Adoptions Redress Scheme provides a one-off payment of $30,000, access to counselling and support as well as an apology process.

The Scheme is open to mothers who gave birth in Victoria, or were Victorian residents who gave birth interstate, and who were forcibly separated from their newborn babies soon after birth, prior to 1990.

Forced adoption refers to institutional past practices that separated mothers and their babies, where women were forced, pressured or coerced to give up their babies.

A support team is available to guide you through the application process, answer questions, and assist you with any supporting information that may be required. To find out if you are eligible or to talk about your options:

• call 1300 217 425 (9:00 am-4:30 pm, Monday to Friday)

• visit https://www.vic.gov.au/redress-forced-adoptions

• or email forcedadoptions.redress@justice.vic.gov.au

Other Support Services

VANISH - Telephone: 1300 826 474 Email: info@vanish.org.au

Link-up - Telephone: 03 9287 8800 Email: linkup@vacca.org

Relationships Australia Victoria - Telephone: 1800 210 313 Email: fass@rav.org.au

Lifeline -Telephone: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue - Telephone: 1300 224 636

Suicide Call Back Service - Telephone: 1300 659 467

Here is the recipe for the cauliflower steaks we made at Garden to Plate last Thursday. They were so simple for something so delicious and a great option for a vegetarian meal … or just to add some extra veggies into your everyday!

When we made ours we used a mix of cheeses (because that’s what we had), but parmesan would probably make for a neater look at the end.

Baked Cauliflower Steaks 

Ingredients 

• 1 cauliflower head cut down the middle top to bottom then sliced across-ways. Try and keep the ‘steaks’ together in clumps if the come apart at the edges ( don’t despair - the cheese will help stick them together if needed when cooked).

• ¼ cup olive oil

• ½ cup grated parmesan 

• 2 cloves garlic, grated 

• 1 tsp smoked paprika 

• 1 tsp onion powder 

• 1 tsp salt 

• ½ tsp  chili pepper flakes

Instructions 

Preheat the oven to 220 degrees.

Mix olive oil, garlic, salt, spices and 2 teaspoons of parmesan.

Sprinkle the rest parmesan cheese on a lined oven tray in clumps that will roughly match the cauliflower steaks.

Place the cauliflower steaks on top of the parmesan cheese.

Baste the top side with the oil and herbs.

Cook on high for 10 minutes then lower heat and cook on 180 degrees for 20 minutes until cooked through.

Serve crispy side up.  YUM! We ours with mushrooms, hummus, bread, green beans and tzatziki.

Hi everyone,

Can you believe it’s already May? Time flies!

Last week we had a great time on Sydney Road at our Op-Shop Adventure - we caught the 508 bus and went to four op shops and also stopped for lunch at The Green Refractory. Then we popped into Cheaper Buy Miles next door (as many of you know it’s my favourite grocery shop - I am always buying food for our community lunch and for catering events here).

Thanks to those who came along. It was loads of fun. And … I was super pleased with my purchase of a pair of RM Williams boots (RRP $699) for the bargain price of $20!

It was also great to start up our AAA Arts program on Friday afternoon for term 2. The group is working with dry pastel and charcoal at the moment and the products are looking beautiful!

This month we are really looking forward to our two sustainability workshops that we are running with support from the climate emergency team at Yarra Council. The first one is on Saturday 16 May and we will be learning about soil microbes and the impact on our health. And the second will be the week after on Saturday 23 May where we will be learning techniques and tips for clothes mending. Read on for more info, and don’t forget a to book in online!

Until then, we are on with all our usual programming. This week we can’t wait to see everyone back at AAA Bowls on Wednesday morning from 10am - 12pm, Garden to Plate Thursday from 11.30am - 1pm, and our first session of Community Yoga on Wednesday evening from 5.30 - 6.30pm. Community Yoga is full but we are keen for more participants in Garden to Plate and AAA Bowls if you are interested, or know someone who is.

Cheers Leanne