We always love a primary school fair. How exciting (a what a great sign!). Add this to your diary!

There are still a few spaces available in Tuning in to Teens programs for parents/carers of children aged 10-15 in the City of Yarra.

These programs are organised through Yarra Communities that Care (the collaboration of local agencies and schools).

Tuning in to Teens™

The Tuning in to Teens™ program is for parents/carers of children aged 10-15 years who live or study in the City of Yarra. This 6-session, interactive, small-group program is a great opportunity to better understand and help your child as they navigate high school and adolescence. The program helps you reflect on how you can strengthen your relationship with your child and build their emotional intelligence.

When: Thursday evenings 6.30-8.30pm from 15 February to 21 March

Who for: Parents/carers of children aged 10-15 who live or study in the City of Yarra

Where: Online, via zoom

Cost: $110 each, $170 for a caregiver pair, free for health care card holders

Registrations required: https://tint-yarra.eventbrite.com.au

These are small-group discussion programs with approx. 7-10 participants.

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We were delighted to welcome back many of our playgroup friends from last year today.

Our Wednesday playgroup runs from 10am-12pm and is suitable for parents, carers and grandparents to attend - with their littlest darlings (of course)!

We set up activities each week, have tea and coffee available (or the cafe is just next door … and you can borrow a mug from us to minimise waste) and we have staff on hand to facilitate introductions if you feel a little shy the first time you come along!

Our playgroup is primarily run outside in our front garden, but we also set up a space inside with toys if you prefer an indoor experience.

No need to book in, just bring your snacks and a hat and come along! All welcome.

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!