We didn’t get to publish the beautiful photos that Kalimna took from our fun community weekend last week because we had a technical computer hitch … but we’re back up and running now.

So thank you to the Alphington Open Studios artists who we worked with for the Open Studios weekends. It was fabulous to have a shared opening night that everyone could come along to and just super to have works by all the artists in our space. Yarra Council provided us with some funding to activate our inside hanging space which supported this project.

And then thanks to our stallholders who made wonderful produce and goods for the Christmas Makers Market on the Saturday. And thanks to all the community who came along to shop and enjoy our lovely neighbourhood. I know I made a good start to my Christmas present shopping … and I am sure lots of others did too.

A special thanks to Ivanhoe Rotary who personned our BBQ. It makes such a difference to our centre to have these sorts of community partnerships and we value them so much. And my mum Cheryl who ran the kids activity - she’s a gem and the trees were very cute. And finally, finally Elaine who volunteered on our craft stall. She’s an amazing knitter and community giver as well.

Don’t forget to come along to the Alphington Bowls Club at 7pm on the 19th of December to enjoy some Christmas Carols with your neighbours.

News with a hint of monopoly today … Our beloved hard rubbish treasure chest has had many purposes at ACC, including being used by our playgroups to store special books and activities … and by our crafters to store and sell craft … Now it is in our foyer, full of things to give away.

We often get donations of little things that are not quite op shop fit but could be loved if given the chance.

So next time you are here (particularly with kids) you might like to take a peek inside to see if the random items in our community chest tickle your fancy. You’ll find it in the foyer.

Well that was fun! And exhausting!

Thanks to everyone that came along to the Alphington Open Studios opening on Friday night, our Christmas Makers Market on Saturday, and/or popped in to the Open Studios salon show at ACC right across the weekend. We had great weather and it was just fabulous to see such a cross-section of our community enjoying our facilities.

I will quickly add some pictures below … and include some more next week, with some detailed thankyous etc. then.

But don’t forget the studios are all open this coming weekend as well! Saturday and Sunday 11am-6pm. You can collect a map from ACC this week (or when our salon show opens again on Saturday morning). Isn’t it just great to collectively celebrate our lovely, creative, arty community … it warms the cockles of the heart!

Did you come along to playtime in the garden before the last lockdown and leave behind a brand new beautiful wallet? If so we have it here waiting for you …

Lee found it and gave it to Kalimna imagining that whoever left it behind would return to collect it … but they/you haven’t!

So we are putting it out into the universe. Please get in contact with us and describe what the wallet looks like and we’ll be so delighted to return it to its rightful home.