We’ve had an exciting week in our front garden this week with Mark and Mark from Pacific Australis Landscapes here finishing off all the big things that were in the pipeline before COVID put a halt to plans.

They’ve rearranged the rocks in our front garden to create some small seating areas, and have made room for a third raised garden bed (round this time). These garden beds will form the centre of what we hope will be an even more productive community garden. They are connected up to the water tank that was kindly donated and installed by Yarra Valley Water and we’re anticipating that they become a fabulous community resource, both in terms of creating opportunities for people to come along and get to know each other as they garden together, but also in terms of generating some food that can be used for local cooking and eating (for classes, for catering for morning tea etc. ).

If you pass by you might also notice that Jenny built a potting bench … and we’re looking forward to putting in a small greenhouse next to it so that we can germinate some seeds and have seedlings available in our street seed library into the future. So many fun new things …

Mark and Mark also finished off the landscaping out the front of the community shed, putting in some beautiful slabs of stone to create a dedicated seating area. Our community shed space is so well used and it is wonderful to think that it is 95% complete. Next week we’ll plant some native violets and white thyme in the gaps between the stone pavers and plant out the rest of that corner garden under the lemon tree and we’ll be done. Hooray!

The very best thing about being part of a neighbourhood house is the ability to make the most of the skills in our community and the opportunities on our doorstep.

During lockdown we met lovely local Maylei when she contacted us proposing a wooden spoon carving workshop - and followed up with a visit to buy a mask and introduce herself in person, back in the day when masks were the new thing (it seems like a lifetime ago now).

Wooden spoon carving sounds pretty cool right? And we were keen to continue the discussion (note the expression of interest process we have running - you can register here if it sounds like your cup of tea too).

Anyway, we’ve been having ongoing discussions with Maylei about how she could contribute at ACC, and last term she took part in our Women in the Shed program, with the thought that if demand continued, she could run an additional session this year.

And it has. And so she is.

So we thought it might be nice to introduce her. Maylei is a visual artist and social documentary photographer. She is originally from Sydney but moved to Melbourne four years ago.

She has a diploma in Community Development and has taught a range of creative classes to children and adults alike, including photography, visual arts and wooden spoon carving (obviously).

Maylei has a long-standing interest in wood working and particularly loves creating practical items. Here’s a photo of her with the rustic planter she made last term in our program … she made it to match one she has at home already.

If you are keen to book yourself a place in Women in the Shed it is full this term but there are spots available next term. So you can still join in this safe, kind, fun, creative and supportive class on Thursdays. And we also have a couple of Learn Local discounted spots as well for next term (these take the cost down from $150 to $50 for those that need it - just contact our office). Find out more and book in here.

We’re super excited to be offering a Saturday 6 week drawing workshop here at ACC in Term 1 and 2. The classes run from 2-4pm, and are led by local artist Louisa Bufardeci. Term 1 starts on Saturday 13 February. Term 2 starts on Saturday 1 May. The cost is $90 for 6 weeks - that is $15 per week.

In this class you will develop basic observational drawing skills. With all materials supplied, it is a low-cost opportunity to develop and build the observation and co-ordination skills necessary to make creative drawings in any style. The course will cover contour drawing, creative compositions, drawing with perspective etc.

There are only 2 spots left this term, so book in quickly if you are keen to join in. Just click here.

We’re very excited that our lovely local artist friend Louisa Bufardeci will be offering a 6 week program of drawing classes in the community shed on a Saturday in Term 1 and Term 2 this year.

The classes are designed for all abilities from beginners to more experienced artists, and will focus on building up participants observational drawing skills. They will explore things like perspective and composition using objects at hand (perhaps you’ll walk away with some fabulous drawings of power tools and handsaws!).

The classes could be ideal for high school students who are doing art, or anyone else who would like to come along and join in a low cost art experience.

If you have a burgeoning interest or simply enjoy company while you create please book yourself a place here.

The course costs $90 for 6 weeks (only $15 a week) and includes Louisa’s tutoring and all materials. Term 1 starts on Saturday 13 February.

Our Women in the Shed program has been very popular and in 2021 we are offering this program again on Monday for beginners, then on Tuesday and Thursday for those that have been along before or have some basic confidence … and would like to work in a tutored environment and pursue their own projects.

There are 18 spots in the program across the 3 days and 6 of these have Learn Local funding to enable us to offer a discounted rate for those in need. If you would like to access this funding you can contact us here. The full cost is $150 for 6 days (that’s only $25 a day). The discounted cost is $50 for the whole course.

This tutored program is all about building your skills and confidence using a range of hand and power tools in the shed. You’ll explore jigsaws and handsaws, electric sanders and hand planers as you make a chopping board, then move on to perhaps exploring tiling tools like tile cutters, along with tile cement, tile spacers, grout and sealer as you dive into mosaics, or perhaps you’d prefer to explore how to manipulate metal with heat? That’s an option too… And then there are electric drills, dremels, drop saws and more to explore! Sounds great hey?

You can book here.