Our garden has been spruced up by a delivery of compost. And we’d like to thank the volunteers who moved it into place, spreading it out across our site. And thank Darebin Council for the delivery. This year again we are receiving the FOGO compost - which is the compost made from our green waste bins … so … it’s entirely possible that your carrot peelings and cauliflower leaves (if you put them in your green waste bin) are now right here in the garden at ACC! Isn’t that a nice thought.

We’re about to (well in the next month we hope) plant more indigenous plants 🌱 out in our front corner garden that has been looking a little sad … we will give them the chance to settle in over winter and be ready to burst into life in spring! Fingers crossed.

If you are keen on gardening we have a lovely group of garden enthusiasts here on a Friday morning from 10am who help weed, rake leaves, save seeds, plant out beds, thin seedlings … and all the things. And anyone is very welcome to come along and help us improve our outdoor spaces, help grow community food and meet nice people! We’ll reward you with a delicious morning tea at 11.30am (catered by our CWA friends) to thank you for your contribution!

This term at ACC we are delighted to have our friends from Alphington CWA helping us out with the catering for our morning teas /sort of early light lunches that are on at 11.30am each Friday during school term, outside under the pergola in the front garden.

Our gardeners, shedders and crafters come together each week after an active/creative morning, to share a cuppa and a some delicious food and a chat.

The first week of our new arrangement went swimmingly, everyone LOVED the food that was provided … AND we’re all quite excited to see what turns up next week … thanks Alphington CWA (Silvana and Miranda in particular this week).

If you are a local who enjoys gardening or crafting or making or chatting … please join us on a Friday morning from 10am for our community morning. You can come along regularly, or pop in more randomly. There’s a great bunch of lovely welcoming people here, and a super-friendly outdoor program you can join in led by Clare.

And if you are interested in joining the Alphington CWA they meet just around the corner at the Darebin Parklands Rangers Offices, in the Gleeson Room on the first Monday of the month at 7.30pm.

What a great weekend we had for the 2023 Alphington Show!

Entries for the show arrived on Friday. We had over 100 entries from people of all ages - it was lovely to see so many people keen to share and showcase their skills and talents.

Michelle and Anne from Alphington CWA were there to oversee the judging on Friday night from 5.30pm, and they brought in the experts, Nola from the broader CWA family (and an expert show judge) along with Bill and Wayne from the Preston Garden Club. We thank them all for their time and enthusiasm for our local event. And we thank everyone who entered. So much talent in our community!

On Saturday we held our annual makers market with 22 stallholders lining the street, whilst inside Devonshire tea was served by the Alphington CWA - and thoroughly enjoyed in the front garden with perfect autumn weather.

Our Show also included face painting and nature crowns, a raffle, a BBQ … and even a leaf pit for nature play!

Thanks to Nelson Alexander, Bunnings, Alphington CWA and Friends of Baucau for our raffle prizes!

Our raffle prize winners were very happy!

And pony rides. And a guess the lollies in the lolly jar (there were 207!).

Another happy winner!

Once again this year a raft of volunteers helped out to make the day a success. Thanks so much to you all! Including (but not limited to) Elaine, Anne and Serene for managing the craft and eftpos machine, Cheryl who again ran nature craft, Corrado, Jo, Ina, Heather and Anne who wrangled the BBQ and Marie-Louise, Lola and Jackson our dog show judges.

Thanks to Kalimna for organising so much of the overall logistics and once again taking amazing photos. And to Lee, Clare and Jill who worked to make the event a success.

Lovely to have Yarra Mayor Claudia Nguyen here for morning tea today. And Clare sent her home with some coriander seeds to plant.

Do you make your own wine?

The Meet the Makers showcase returns this year, taking place at Preston City Hall, 284 Gower Street, Preston, on Sunday 19 March from 12.30pm – 4.30pm. The event celebrates Darebin’s local home winemakers and artisans and will also feature stalls, demonstrations and live music.

The skills, knowledge and traditions of Darebin’s wine makers are valuable reminders of our journey and the character that it adds to our neighbourhoods.

This year, homemade wine can be entered into the competition. All wine varieties can be showcased and entered for judging on the day.

Below are the details to register.

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TERMS OF REGISTRATION

When preparing your entry please ensure:

• All bottles must be cleaned and sanitised. This can be achieved by cleaning the bottles with hot soapy water, then applying a food grade sanitiser.

• Hands must be washed regularly with soap and dried with paper towel.

• All bottles must be closed tightly.

• Please observe best food handling practices when preparing your entry.

• Guidelines are available here: www.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/food-safety

• All entrants into competition must either Live, Work, Study or attend a Seniors Club in Darebin

• Entries will be judged and Prizes awarded during showcase, Sunday 19 March.

• Entrants are required to submit 5 – 6 bottles for sharing with the public at the showcase

• You may enter more than 1 type of wine, but no more than 5 per maker.

• You must register your entry no later than 28 February 2023.

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 ENTRY FORM

Please tick one:
Y / N     I work in the City of Darebin
Y / N     I live in the City of Darebin
Y / N     I study in the City of Darebin
Y / N     I attend a Seniors club in the City of Darebin (If so, which one_________________________)

Name_____________________________________________________________________________

Address___________________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________ P/C____________________________

Phone number______________________________________________________________________

You may bring a friend to help you with the tastings at the showcase.
Lunch will be provided for you and your friend.
Please let us know if you or your friend have any specific dietary requirements: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Wine / entry information:

Category___________________________________________________________________________

Type______________________________________________________________________________

Vintage/Year_______________________________________________________________________

Tell us about your wine:

This year, you may drop off wine to the venue ahead of the showcase on Friday 17 March between 11am – 4.00pm or bring it with you on the day.

Access for set up on the day:
11.00am – 12.00am
Preston City Hall, 284 Gower Street, Preston.
Car parking will be provided at rear of Council, access via Kelvin Grove. 

Please contact Amanda with any queries or questions via email Amanda.Palmer@darebin.vic.gov.au or phone 0401 626 260.