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Posts in neighbourhoodliness
The winter scarf
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We have so many talented people in our neighbourhood. We see this in abundance at the Alphington Show - from handmade toys, to home grown vegetables, painting, cooking and more.

A few weeks ago the lovely Pat, a long standing book club member, reached out to us to find a local maker who could knit a scarf to give as a present (which is just so nice in itself right!)

So we put her in touch with a member of our craft group. Elaine is an enthusiastic knitter. And a gem who always steps up and helps out - with our community lunches, makers market stalls and more. We love her!

So here is the story from Pat - 100% all about neighbourhoodliness!

During this long, cold isolation time, I go for a walk every afternoon leaving home about 4.15pm and walking for 50 minutes. I often see the same people out walking and we smile (under our masks)! 

There is an elderly gentleman who is very slim and very tall and he always gives me a wave and often we just stop to say "hello" and have a short chat.  About 6 weeks ago, he told me how cold he was feeling and I had a thought that I would like to knit him a scarf, but it has been years since I last took up the knitting needles!  So I e-mailed Alphington Community Centre asking if they had anyone that might be interested in knitting a scarf for me if I paid for the wool, etc. 

Kalimna passed on my request and I had a lovely reply from Elaine from the craft group. We arranged to meet for a chat/coffee on a Saturday morning outside ACC.  Elaine and I had a very nice meeting and she offered to make the scarf for me. She had found 5 balls of wool in the Centre supplies. 

Elaine and I met again last Saturday where she gave me the scarf. She had knitted it in moss stitch so it wouldn't stretch. 

I have since given my neighbourhood friend the scarf and he was so grateful.

And I am so happy that I met Elaine. I suggested to her that her craft group and my book club ladies have a get together and organise an informal BYO lunch at the ACC when we can come together in groups again.  

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Neighbourhood treasure hunts

I’m guessing that many of us are extremely familiar with our local streetscapes by now, with neighbourhood walks becoming a familiar part of our daily routine. We loved the rainbow pictures and teddy bears of Lockdown No.1 and now Lockdown No.2 is offering a treasure-trove of front garden creativity waiting to be discovered. The lure of these whimsical treats are proving to be an effective incentive for getting smallish children out of the house and walking or scooting for that all important daily burst of fresh air and exercise.

Here are a few of our recently discovered favourites…

Spoon family on Kellet Street, Northcote

Spoon family on Kellet Street, Northcote


Forest Fairies, Kennedy Street, Fairfield

Forest Fairies, Kennedy Street, Fairfield


Kindness on corner of Russell and Bank Streets, Northcote

Kindness on corner of Russell and Bank Streets, Northcote


St Andrew’s Church, Fairfield

St Andrew’s Church, Fairfield


Woodland Fairies, Mitchell Street, Northcote, near Hillside Avenue

Woodland Fairies, Mitchell Street, Northcote, near Hillside Avenue

We’d love to hear from you about your local neighbourhood treasures to add to the map!