Hi everyone,

Last week I was excited to attend a meeting with the Minister Grigorovitch, who is the new Minister for Carers and Volunteers, as part of my role on the North East Neighbourhood House Network committee. It is always super to talk at a higher level about both the great things that neighbourhood houses do, and the challenges we face as a sector … and the meeting was particularly timely obviously, as we continue our push for restoration of funding from the State Government.

Closer to home, we are in workshop season at the moment … And we have another coming up this Saturday. Clothes Mending from 10am-1pm. We ran this workshop around this time last year and had a lot of fun. It is a fabulous opportunity to learn how to take up a hem, stitch on a button, repair a tear … and more! You are encouraged to bring your pile of project(s) along to work on. Book into this workshop online for $10. Here at this link.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) our Preserves Group will be running from 1-3pm where we will be making chutney out of chokos that were kindly donated to us last week. We like nothing better than homegrown produce at ACC. Its open to all, so if you have some time free, please come along - no need to book in.

Then on Thursday we will have Garden to Plate in the morning from 11.30am-1pm where we will be cooking with produce from our very own Community Garden. Clare tells me we have spinach, onions and lettuce ready to harvest at the moment ... I wonder what we will make …. It costs $10 to attend this fun and friendly and informative and yummy program and you can book in online here.

And later that evening from 7.30-9.30pm we will have our monthly Alphington Arts session. Book in online here for $15.

This week is National Volunteer Week across Australia and we would like to give a big shout out to everyone that donates their time at ACC every year. Volunteers are integral to neighbourhood houses and we couldn’t do what we do without all the amazing people who help out each week and/or each month and of course at our big events.

Cheers Leanne

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

Hi everyone,

Welcome back! Sorry there was no post last week…… I was caught up helping my sister run The Red Gum Festival in her hometown of Cavendish and completely forgot … it was an excellent small town festival though!

We hope everyone had a nice Easter break, and we’re so glad to be back. It has been terrific catching up with so many people in the last week at Preserves on Tuesday, Community Lunch on Friday, and along the way throughout the week. So lovely to see you all.

This week you should definitely come along to our Op-Shop Adventure on Thursday and if you’re a man, join John for the Men’s Breakfast on Saturday (see posts below for more information about these events). On Thursday we will also be hosting another monthly Embracing Life and Death discussion from 1-3pm, this time talking about life-limiting illnesses. Please contact eoldoulasinmelb@gmail.com if you would like to register.

Our other regular programs will all begin for the term next week. If anyone tried to book into Garden to Plate last week and couldn’t see this term’s availabilities, please note that issue should be fixed now and bookings are available on our website. We are looking forward to seeing you at the first session on Thursday 7 May.

Cheers Leanne

This week at Preserves Group we made fig jam and eggplant pickle. So yummy. Thanks for the fig donation! Thanks Fiona, for leading this session. Thanks everyone who came along. And then … thanks U3A Armchair Theatre friends - who bought up big on Wednesday afternoon when they were here! Also thanks Elaine for making our preserves look extra pretty!

There’s still lots left, so pop past if you need some condiments to brighten up your life. Also great for a gift (of course). The sales of our preserves help us run our access all abilities programs.

Next month Fiona is going to teach up how to make ‘no sugar’ berry jam … and I think we’re on the look out for chokos (if anyone has them) - apparently they are in season and Fiona has a recipe.