Hi Leanne here. With our new room and reconfiguration of our spaces we are now looking at our general programming … and also starting to think about what we will run next semester. If you have a great idea for something to run here please give us a call or send an email. We really love new ideas. We’ll finalise things in the next few weeks, before the school holidays.

Excitingly, we have lots of great things on our radar already including:

• new meditation/mindfulness classes

• another introduction to podcasting short course starting at the end of July - this time with Ben McKenzie who is a very experienced teacher

• another mosaics workshop with Lee (she’s loved the first one)

• a new evening art group where we will keep costs down by sharing skills and knowledge

• a street/neighbourhood photography course on the weekend suitable for families

• our winter art exhibition in mid August (artists start thinking about what you could enter!)

• Alphington Open Studios at the end of the year

• our Christmas Makers Market at the end of November

I am going to start putting some of the links to these activities on our ‘enrol’ page this week, so keep an eye out if you are super keen to book in. As I get them organised I will make sure I add the direct links into the newsletter over the coming weeks.

We’re looking forward to getting settled after a period of chaos … and of course offering a great range of events, courses and programs throughout second semester that engage a wide range of people from our local community.

Our AAA Arts group is having a great time on Fridays this term, working together on an outdoor timber sculpture to brighten up our garden beds on the corner.

The project is utilising scrap timber offcuts, and there has been lots of painting, followed by drilling and screwing going on.

It is fabulous to see participants being so creative, learning new skills and gaining confidence to do new things. We’re very fortunate to have great support for this program with Corrado and Hazel volunteering weekly. It makes such a difference to what we can offer activity-wise.

Keep an eye on our gardens over the next few weeks if you are passing by - to admire the results!

This coming week is Neighbourhood House Week!

And in a happy coincidence we are starting up three new programs. Such great timing … we should be claiming that it was all deliberate and such, so … let’s just say the universe operates in fortuitous ways (despite our actual lack of planning and foresight)!?!

If you like, you too can join in on the good luck/happenstance vibe that we’re emanating and come along!

10.30am Monday - Grandparents and Carers Playgroup

$10 weekly for a structured playgroup session, all welcome but ideal for grandparents and carers. Book in online here.

1pm Monday - Mosaics Workshop

$120 for 4 weeks. Learn about tiling and grouting and the same time make some beautiful art. Basic tools and materials provided. I think Lee is starting off with house numbers and/or coasters. Book in online here.

12.30pm Thursday - Crunch (creative lunch)

$15 weekly. Get fed! Get creative! Leanne’s cooking. Lee’s making art. Come along for an hour or so of creative escapism, then get on with rest of your day. Please book in online (so we know who is coming). Just click here.

Join Clare on Monday afternoons from 1-3pm or on Thursday evenings from 6.30-8.30pm … and explore your inner artist in a fun, relaxed and supportive small-group setting.

Clare’s classes run for two hours weekly over an 8 week term. The fee is $320.

Class dates are:

• Monday 29th April - 17th June

• Thursday 2nd May - 20th June

Contact Clare to enrol online at swirlart.com.au or you can give her a call to find out more etc., 0423453160.

Hi Leanne here. Last week I was at the NHVic conference in Creswick. This is an annual conference that is run by our peak body , Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, that enables the 400+ houses across Victoria to come together to learn and discuss and have a fun time!

I started the first day with this amazing sunrise over the RACV golf course … not too shabby hey?

There was a moving smoking ceremony to kick things off.

And lots of fabulous presenters including Leigh Sales … and lots of the houses gave presentations about interesting programs and NHVic gave sector updates on all the things that are currently impacting on houses. All of which I forgot to take photos of …. but then there was a 70s themed gala ball … see below!

I did a presentation this year on placemaking - 30 things that we have done at ACC to make our house have more of a community presence - including all the changes outside and inside, and then I talked about lots of the interactive community arts projects we have run. It was lovely to be able to share ideas with colleagues.

And to illustrate how participatory public art works we made a miniature gallery - portraits of the people who came to my presentation. It turned out great and i have sent it home with the NHVic staff. Hopefully they put it up in their offices as a memory of the conference.

Anyway, it was a super event! There are so many really committed and amazing and kind people in our sector and it is just fabulous to have these opportunities to connect up and learn and support each other.