What’s happening on Wednesdays?

The spring weather is tempting us to go outside and we’re keen to re-engage with our community.

So from Wednesday 27 October (after we reach 70% double dose*) we will be running a weekly BBQ on the corner as a way of reconnecting with you all. We’ll set up outside near the Shed and welcome anyone to come by and enjoy a sausage in bread and a cuppa. We have a coffee machine we can get fired up so you can even enjoy a latte.

Keep October 27th free from 12pm. We would love to see you!

*and subject to any restrictions re. numbers and vaccination status that apply.

And when we reopen families continue to be invited along on Wednesday mornings to enjoy ‘Playtime in the Garden’ with access to our new cubby and sandpit along with craft activities set up by Lee from 10am-12pm. So you can come for a play and have some lunch as well.

Whether you have littlies or biggies, it is quite possible that in these uncertain times you might benefit from some tips and new strategies. Drummond Street Services has sent us some info about two free zoom sessions coming up that you might find useful.

You can book into Parenting Under Pressure here.

You can book into Kids and Emotional Intelligence here.

And Drummond Street Services has lots of other great things on, including support for LGBTQI+🏳️‍🌈 families, free zoom dads groups, support for families with children who are worrying, resources for new families, resources for building resilience if you have to isolate … and more. Check out all the things here.

Missing your regular holiday activities? Got a tent*? With school holidays upon us perhaps some backyard camping is in order?

I have seen two friends this week set up some camping gear in the garden (not necessarily with children involved!) … and then I saw a great post on the Mums in Darebin Facebook group this week with someone asking for ideas to make the most of a backyard camping adventure … and the answers were pretty inspiring so I thought I could share them. Here we go …

• Pack your backpack 🎒 and take a ‘hike’ through Darebin Parklands and beyond (include your water bottle and some scroggin for an authentic snack)

• Print a map of the stars and see if you can find the constellations (or pull out your telescope if you have one) or download an app … there are some terrific ones to help you identify the universe

• Set up an outdoor fire pit and cook bananas and Nutella in foil, potatoes in foil (microwave first), marshmallows on a stick, sausages in a frying pan etc.

• Cook dinner on your Trangier (you could even dehydrate some food and rehydrate it for some extra fun if the prep. is what you love!). Maybe some Foster Clark custard with rehydrated apricots for dessert? Porridge 🥣 for breakfast is also pretty easy.

• Have a BBQ

• Set up an outdoor washing-up station for the dishes. Maybe some hand clothes washing could be fun too (for kids not adults obviously!)

• Make a bug 🕷 🐛 🐜 bingo sheet and see if you can find them all

• Create a scavenger hunt

• String up fairy lights to create some atmosphere

• Get out some torches 🔦 and play spotlight or make shadow puppets

• Tell stories and read stories all snuggled up in the tent

• Play cards and board games

• Get out your guitar or ukulele (or recorder!) and have a sing along outside (a treat for your neighbours)

• Set up an outdoor stage and host a concert

• Set up a moonlight cinema experience on your house/garage wall

The most interesting thing about the post was that they were taking time with the planning … asking friends and family for advice and ideas … stretching the joy out … because the anticipation and build up contributes to the fun right!

I hope you feel inspired.

* If you don’t have a tent, a trampoline is also great on a mild night … and I am sure the process of rigging up a protective roof - if you’re worried about getting damp - could fill at least half a day!

My kids slept outside on the trampoline with their cousins at Easter when we were at my sister’s farm … they loved it (I think one of them is still asleep in there)!

If you are interested in learning more about the history of our neighbourhood … and also like a stroll, perhaps you’d like to print out or collect our first History Walk.

This walk starts on the south side of Alphington Station and takes you on a tour of the Old Alphington Village. Thanks to Anne and the 3078 History Group for all the background work that has gone into this flyer, and thanks also to Lee for the graphic design and Kalimna for the photos.

We’re planning to record an accompanying podcast at some stage to sit along side this walk. We’ll let you know when this is active.

If you have a printer at home you can print a copy here. If you’d like to collect a printed copy you’ll find some out the front in the little brochure holder on the side of our seed library.

National Science Week ran from 14-22 August. And we had a fabulous eco-dyeing weekend workshop on offer here at ACC with local textile artist Rose Kulak. She does the most amazing prints and we were VERY excited about it.

This week however, we came to the sad conclusion that it is unlikely that we’ll be able to go ahead with this workshop in person anytime soon, and so instead we’ve been exploring how we can offer an eco-dyeing experience at home.

Rose is helping us put together a couple of different take home kits that include all the materials and instructions you will need to undertake a project using things like eucalyptus leaves, onion skins or oxalis (sour grass that is now in bloom all over the neighbourhood).

Eco-dyeing 101 kit

a dye bath in action … looks pretty cool huh?

So if you’d like to learn a new skill and/or you are keen to explore the science of eco-dyeing and eco-printing … and to find out more about natural fibres, mordants and fixatives, the impact of pressure and heat, and pH levels … then email us here and nominate your preference for the:

1. Eco-printing 101 kit (learn how to use pressure and steam for printing) or

2. Eco-dyeing 101 kit (learn how to make a natural dye bath)

When you register we’ll get back to you re. collection times over the next few days. And then … we hope you have lots of fun … and send us a photo or two of your amazingly interesting (and fingers-crossed, beautiful) results!

Note, this activity is designed for adults, and will also be really interesting for children - but supervision is strongly recommended and actually really necessary.