The Melbourne International Film Festival is back streaming online. Find out more and book your front row tickets today.

Last year we made a little rhyming series of animated pictures (GIFS) with some funding from the Community Bank on Queens Parade … and then put them together with a voice over … and turned them into a poster that loads of locals collected from ACC on their daily neighbourhood walk.

It seems timely to pull them out again.

Here are the GIFS.

Here is the poster (we trust it is still gracing many a fridge or toilet door around the neighbourhood).

And here is the animation with voice overs if you’d like to watch it (it is pretty cute!).

Kalimna popped in to visit our line dancers last week whilst they were holding their Biggest Morning Tea event - as you probably already know this is a morning tea to raise money for the Cancer Council, to support those impacted by cancer.

Around 20-30 lovely locals come together each week on a Wednesday morning from 10am down at the Alphington Scout Hall to line dance and then share a cuppa and a chat. It is a real community in and of itself. We drop in and see them every now and then, and also support Shirley behind the scenes (the dynamo behind it all) as she seamlessly organises the whole shebang.

She’s a star.

And anyway … lucky Kalimna went along. Because not only were the dancers happy to give her a demo, they were ALSO happy to do so in fancy dress. How fun - I think it should be a lifegoal for everyone to be part of a group that gets together in fancy dress for special occasions! Why not right?

Thanks Shirley, Thanks Kalimna. Thanks enthusiastic line dancing locals.

If you are not so keen to be out and about at nighttime in the city for whatever reason, but love classical music, did you know that you can sign up to get a whole series of Melbourne concerts streamed live to your lounge room (or bedroom or bathroom for that matter - perhaps we should just say to your device wherever that may be …).

Melbourne Digital Concert Hall offers a range of packs that enable you to support the arts and local artists from the comfort of home. They start at $24 for one concert (with $20 going directly to the artists) and could make a lovely gift for those family members or friends who really need nothing but enjoy experiences.

It is pretty amazing the way things have changed in the last year or so, isn’t it? And it’s fabulous to think that streamed concerts are now de rigueur - enabling so many more people to access our fabulous arts culture live, as it happens.

Chris Howlett and Friends 1 - Brahms Sonatas and Songs, 28 April

Last Friday Anne (our chair) and I were delighted to show Cr Gabrielle de Vietri, Yarra’s new Mayor, around the house and talk to her about all the exciting and neighbourhoodly things we do here. Gabrielle came along with Kathy who is our main contact and lovely colleague at Yarra Council and Elly who supports volunteering across Yarra.

It was a great morning to visit as it was Brett’s birthday and we decorated him a pretty fancy cake. We’ve attached some photos so that you can admire our efforts and wish you too were here to partake of the sugary delight!

So, if you would like to eat cake and coffee with nice people in the neighbourhood any Friday during school term, just pop past at 11.30am. Alternatively join us from 10am for art, craft and gardening (and possibly some cooking/cake decorating). We hope to see you soon!