Leanne here. It was just great to meet with our local MP Kat Theophanous and Minister Anthony Carbines (who is also our neighbouring MP for Ivanhoe) on Friday with the other houses in the Darebin Neighbourhood House Network to ‘chat about our sector’.

Unsurprisingly my colleagues and I - none of whom are backwards in coming forwards - did chat a lot! As you know if you’ve been to our houses we do actually really love our work and our neighbourhoods and all the people in them … and we all have loads of ideas to keep improving things … and we’ve seen lots of changes and growth in our roles in the community throughout this COVID period … so … who better to impart our ideas and hopes and ambitions for our houses to than the Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers and the Minister for Child Protection and Family Services. Don’t you agree? Poor fella! Haha. No - it was excellent.

Here’s a nice photo of us all after the meeting over at Bridge Darebin (he looks like he survived happily enough right?)

Hi friends, we really need some help at the Alphington Show this year!

It is coming up next weekend on Saturday 26 March from 11am-2pm and we have 3 jobs we’re seeking volunteers to fill:

• sausage sellers - we have the cooks in place (thanks Geoff et al.) but we need a couple of people to help sell the sausages (take the money, hand over the sausages etc.). If you can help please let us know!

• kids activities - could you take the money so they can enjoy the pony rides and crafty fun … and person the ‘guess the lollies’ jar at the same time?

• dog show registrations - it’s simple! We need someone to help people sign up and select the categories they’d like to enter, then give the entrants a number to wear and direct them to the ‘show arena’ at 12pm. If you love dogs 🐕 this is a super role to fill.

If you could help please let us know! You can call 9499 7227 or email us here and Kalimna will book you in.

Keen to know more about the Alphington Show? Click here.

The final artist to feature in our outdoor gallery is local photographer Kalimna Mohamed.

Many of you will know Kalimna from ACC - but did you know she is a professional photographer in the rest of her life? This is why we have such gorgeous photographs that capture all the things we do at ACC - we consider ourselves very lucky!

The gallery on our fence features a selection of photographs she has taken from previous dog shows - capturing the personalities of a raft of our neighbourhood furry friends and their owners.

Next time you are out for a walk come past and check them out - and scan the QR code or follow this link to find out more about Kalimna’s work.

And a final thanks to Yarra City Arts for supporting this street gallery project! It has been a wonderful addition to our neighbourhood for the last year.

Our new tables arrived and they are very lovely. They came just in time for our first Sunday birthday party booking for the year.

We’re very pleased to be recommencing children’s birthday party bookings at ACC. If you would like to have a party 🎉 🎈 in our garden - and inside - you can check out the available times (and book in) here.

ACC is a great space for a party … and we have all the catering equipment you would likely need as well.

As an extra special addition to the Alphington Show, our local Alphington CWA has kindly offered to run a Scone 101 Workshop … your chance to learn how to make the best scones from the experts!!!

When: Sunday 27 March from 9am

Where: Alphington Farmgate kitchen (you’ll be able to enjoy the market after your baking!)

Cost: $15

Keen? Book here! Note if the 9am session looks like it will fill up we have the option to add a 10am session as well.

It should be great. Thanks CWA ladies - you’re amazing!