What a lovely, connected community we live in!

Another fabulous year of carol singing last night - Jan (our unflagging and entertaining host) and Jan (on piano for the first time) led a packed out Alphington Bowls Club audience through nearly every song in the ACC songbook once again. You never miss out on your favourite carol at this event - because they all get sung 🎵.

And it was just lovely to hear our local choir The Alphingtones perform. They sounded gorgeous.

Thanks David for your bagpiping … and Anne - always a powerhouse behind the scenes. And Mish for her running around! And Geoff (secret Santa business).

And everyone who comes along every year and contributes by leading a carol etc.

These carols have been running for around 40 years … and have been hosted at the Scout Hall, in the outdoor amphitheatre at Kate’s house (1 View Street) and now at Alphington Bowls Club. Last night I heard someone say they typed up the original songbook! Amazing.

And we raised about $275 through our gold coin donations. This year we’ll support some people doing it tough through The Salvos.

Merry Christmas.

Join us on Friday 15 December for Christmas lunch at ACC. We’ll have a cold buffet of ham and chicken and salads, with a selection of Christmas desserts - including fruit and mince tarts, shortbreads etc. We’ll have it in our garden - weather permitting. It is always so lovely to catch up with everyone! Let us know if you plan to make it by emailing here. You can of course always just drop in … but a general sense of who is coming will help us with catering!

And a lucky door prize to win (just for coming along!) … and we’ll also have a visit from Santa.

We hope you can make it.

ALSO

Don’t forget that Christmas Carols are on again! Sing your heart out at Alphington Bowls Club - from 7pm on Sunday 17 December. A gold coin donation will go to a charity. Thanks once again to our wonderful community organisers for this event - and the Alphingtones Choir members who step up to lead the singing and keep us all vaguely in tune and in time!

Hello Toy Library Members,

Just a quick reminder that we have set the last date for borrowing as this coming Tuesday November 28th.

This allows two weeks of use to return before we close for this year.

The last return date for all toys to be Tuesday 12th of December.

Thank you for using the Toy Library.

Sarah’s last theme blog for the year is:

Got to keep on moving

• Toy cars

• Bikes and ride-ons

• Boats

• Tractor

• Train track

• Plane

• Fire trucks

• Melbourne Tram with people

• Diggers

• Baby swing

• Baby steps walking carts

• Stilt steps

This coming weekend. Do your Christmas shopping locally this year with us and our crew of local makers - we’ve got about 25 stalls booked and the weather is look A-OK.

Whilst you’re here you can grab a bite from the BBQ - our friends from Ivanhoe Rotary are going to be cooking up a storm! And you can be a part of our new community arts ‘hill of dreams’ project … it involves solar lights, contact and cellophane - and sharpie pens … and should make a great addition to our neighbourhood over summer …

Come along to find out more! And help us support the micro-businesses in our community as you shop for loved ones.

We’re getting excited about this fabulous event returning. And the weather looks great at this stage … so come along this coming Sunday

• Follow the music - march from Alphington Park at 11:45am

• Arrive for lunch. BYO picnic or buy food from the Bowls Club Sausage Sizzle, Alphington Soccer Club and Little Bertha Crepes, Woking Amazing, and the CWA who will be offering fruit sticks and zooper doopers.

• The first band playing is Wing Defence - some of our talented young locals!

• Don’t forget your water bottle - a filtered water hydration station will be on site.

• This is a licensed event so sorry, no BYO alcohol. Drinks at Bowls Club prices!

• Always wanted to hone your juggling skills?  Now’s your chance - juggling workshop open to all from 2pm to 4pm

• There are LOTS of kids’ activities all day - Paint The Wetlands, nature crowns, face painting, the Scout climbing wall and more …

• And bands and music all day!

• Along with displays from local environmental groups - including the Field Naturalists and Friends of Merri Creek.