We had 14 people along for our visible mending workshop with local textile artist Serene on Saturday.

Serene provided introduction kits, lots of gorgeous samples and real life inspiration for patching and darning across a variety of fabrics, basic information on needles and thread (the tools of the trade), practical help with particular projects and also directed participants to great resources such as books from the library for further ideas and skill development.

It is just wonderful that so many people in our community are interested in learning and exploring new skills that help keep items out of hard rubbish.

Jill and our wonderful community partners Alphington Bowls Club started up the access all abilities (AAA) bowls program for 2022 this week.

Jill was delighted to reconnect with some of the regulars who come from local supported residential care houses such as Arnica Lodge in Como Street, Alphington and Austin Street Villa Maria … which is in Austin Street (obviously haha). And she said that quite a few new people came along too which is super (if a bit chaotic the first week in).

We run our AAA bowls program for 6 weeks a term, 3 terms a year (avoiding the colder months in July and August).

It is supported through our annual project funding that comes from Yarra City Council and by fabulous volunteers at the bowls club who turn up each week to show participants the ropes. We so appreciate that they take the time to share the joy of their sport with kindness and commitment … and in doing so work with us to foster and strengthen the foundations of our wonderful diverse and inclusive local community.

A few people who booked in have let us know that they won’t be able to make it to the Visible Mending Workshop.

It is running on Saturday 26th of February from 10am-1pm here at our centre.

Which means we have some last minute places available for anyone who might have missed out on booking.

If that is you then click here and grab yourself a spot!

This year we’re running Playtime in the Garden on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm out in the front yard - making the most of the new cubby house, pergola and sandpit.

This week at least 8 families came past for a play whilst it was on. Some met up with existing friends, others came by themselves. There were mums bringing their kids and grandparents bringing grandchildren for a play. And a few families also borrowed toys from the Toy Library whilst they were here.

It is just so lovely to see our community making themselves at home at ACC and utilising our play-spaces and resources.

If you’re home with children on a Wednesday morning you might like to pop in too!

Well, what a difference a month makes hey? Last time we spoke Covid was a distant thing … and now … well every person and their dog has it - or has had it - or has family and good friends who have it - or had it …

It really does seem to affect different people in randomly different ways for little apparent reason so we hope you and everyone you love and care about are doing okay.

As always if you need a hand we’re here to rally the troops and/or help however we can. Just call or email if you need anything.

For the first half of this year I (Leanne) will be in the office each weekday except Thursday, and Kalimna will be working onsite Tuesday and Thursday.

Our office opens at 9.30am each day.

We’ll be resuming programming as per our brochure which you can find here.

We’re delighted that despite all the ups and downs lots of things are nearly booked out.

Women in the Shed is full, there are just a couple of spots left across our five Book Clubs and our Visible Mending workshop is proving very popular (note we just added a couple of extra places if you checked earlier and it was booked-out online).

We still have spots available in Louisa’s Observational Drawing classes on Saturdays, Kristian’s Collage classes on Tuesday evenings and in our Furniture Repair workshop - another great opportunity for you to reduce the things you send to landfill by fixing them instead of throwing them out! Find out more and book in here.

We’ve also got the Alphington Show coming up - remember that? We’ll publish more about this slightly competitive neighbourhood celebration of the ‘domestic arts’ - baking, knitting, jam making, flower arranging, stitching etc. in the coming weeks. It’s an all-ages fun opportunity to show off your talents and skills - with prizes!

We’re looking forward to seeing you at ACC this year. Remember, young families can join our formal playgroup on Tuesday mornings or drop past Wednesday mornings for Playtime in the Garden … when they can also borrow from our Toy Library.

And we’re continuing our Arty Gardening program on Fridays - for anyone who’d like to join Katrina outside to learn more about gardening or volunteer some time to help keep ACC looking lovely … and then stay around for Morning Tea in the Garden at 11am (all welcome to morning tea even if gardening isn’t your thing - just pop past for a catch up).

See you soon!