We’d really like to thank Alphington CWA for donating a stack of masks to Gurwidj Neighbourhood House in Thornbury.

Julie, who runs the North East Neighbourhood House Network (which provides fantastic professional support to all the neighbourhood houses in the corridor from Fitzroy through to Diamond Creek) was speaking with Cindy from Gurwidj, and offered to round up some free masks for her to give out to those in her community who were in need.

Alphington CWA (and Jan in particular), stepped up to help out.

Julie is now also looking to provide free masks for health workers at the Northern Hospital … there is a need for personal masks for staff to wear as they head home. Carlton Learning Centre (another neighbourhood house friend just down the road) is also keen for some masks to distribute into the Carlton flats.

So if anyone loves sewing or is feeling a bit flat and would like to do something for others … here’s a worthy cause! Just let me know. We have a simple pattern that we can share, or you can make your own favourite style, as long as the masks are effective (ie. have 3 layers).

Thanks once again Alphington CWA. What a great group of humans you are! And … aren’t we so lucky to live in such a sharing and caring neighbourhoodly community!

Note: if you still need to BUY a mask, we have them for sale on our website. Only $10. For some reason the shopping cart isn’t working on phones at the minute - I will investigate! but in the mean time - just log in on a computer if you want to make a purchase here. We’ll deliver them to your door!

This week our letter comes from a tennis playing grandma. Find out what she has been doing and how she’s been coping in her letter to you, her fellow lockdowners. 30 copies of the letter are out to collect - if your daily walk takes you past the Alphington milk bar you should grab one from the window to take home and read.

Want to read the rest … pop past the Wingrove Street milk bar opposite Alphington Station.

From little things big things grow …

So … with our new ramp came some new plants.

They arrived last week and they’ve now been planted. We chose to plant herbs, so that they become a community resource once they’re established. When they’ve grown you’re most welcome to pop past and cut some for your pasta sauce or roast! There’s lots of thyme and oregano across the front. Mint behind the ramp at the back. A patch of sage and tarragon under the blackboard sign. And some rosemary under the windows.

And then some nice smelly things like lavender and lemony geraniums - to cheer us up as we walk into work each day!

A little patch of Vietnamese mint near the book library!

Keen to buy a face mask or two? Ours are made by locals (people from Alphington CWA and our craft group) specifically for you - our locals. They cost $10 and come in a variety of colours. You can now visit our online shop to order by clicking here. Or look for the link on our website.

Alternatively you can pop past on Wednesday (5 August) from 12-2pm to buy in person. We have around 100 in stock (thanks makers!) so shop away!

And …

1. We know you think you want black … but remember, a nice bright colour or a fun pattern is more likely to cheer you up!

2. When you head out, try tucking a little piece of lavender or lemon verbena (or some other lovely smelling herb) just inside your mask - to add a spark of joy to the whole experience!

A little in joke for all of the glasses wearers!

My kids are loving music in isolation. We’ve found that singing, piano and guitar lessons have all been super successful via one-on-one online sessions.

My husband has been polishing up his ukulele skills whilst I have been sitting down at the piano pretty regularly. It IS the perfect time to learn an instrument - what with all that extra time to kill at home - so much better than reality TV.

If you have been thinking about piano lessons you might like to get in contact with the VERY lovely Mizuki, who has been a part of ACC for many years (via her children attending playgroup). Here’s what she says …

For over 30 years, playing, and then teaching piano, has been one of my greatest joys. I believe we are all musical and I love sharing my knowledge and techniques with my students and seeing them flourish.

My teaching style is encouraging, patient, dynamic, flexible, and fun! My lessons are tailored to each student’s needs. I focus on the key piano skills, such as performance techniques, music theory, and oral training. Students learn in a warm, relaxed environment.

I am also fluent in Japanese, so if a student feels more comfortable or wishes to have lessons in Japanese, that’s available too.

I offer lessons for all ages from 3 years old, from beginners to intermediate level.

The cost is $30 for half an hour, $45 for 45 minutes and $60 for one hour.

Please contact me on 0434213443 or mizuki.oyama@gmail.com for any queries you may have.

Mizuki says that she teaches on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoon. At the moment all lessons will be held online, and then transition to face -to-face when safe to do so. Keen? Call her. She’s ace.