The weirdest thing happened on Friday … someone came along and completely emptied our little book library!? Whilst we were there I think … our community gardeners said it was full at 10am but it was definitely completely empty by the afternoon … so odd.

In addition, over the school holidays two of our little toadstool cushions that make our cubby house so cute disappeared, as did our outdoor table tennis bats, and Bim and Tig - the little salt and pepper shakers that were on holiday in our birdcage … and all the other fun recycled community art that Lee had created for community enjoyment.

We’ve put lots of things out on the street for people to use in the last few years and left our site open for community access after hours - trusting in community goodwill. So it’s all a bit disappointing. Sigh.

Anyway … if you have some books we’d love to restock the book library. And we’ll get new outdoor bats for the table tennis so it can be used again - it has really been super to see all the different people who stop for a quick hit (you can tell from the worm spots on the grass how popular it is!).

Voice with Ged

If you are keen to find out more about the upcoming referendum, our local Federal MP Ged Kearney will be here at ACC on Wednesday 12 July from 2pm for a chat and afternoon tea.

Anyone who has questions or would like to know more is welcome to come along. Just RSVP here, or call the office on 9499 7227 and leave your name and number so we can get in touch if we need to.

Timor-Leste Concert

A reminder that the Dili Allstars concert at Collingwood Town Hall is coming up this Thursday 13 July from 6.30-9pm. Here is the link to find out more.

It is a free event (donations are welcome on the night as funds raised will go the supporting Friends of Baucau programs) with food and a bar … AND you can book tables of 10 people for $100 … if you’d like to sit down. Please let us know if you’d like to be part of our table here - it costs $10 per person.

Hooray! Hard rubbish collections begin in June.

Darebin’s hard rubbish collection is being rolled out area-by-area starting after the long weekend … moving south to north every two weeks.

You will receive a brochure in your letter box before your collection - it will include everything you need to know!

It is super important to note that Council can only actually recycle e-waste, mattresses, car tyres and scrap metal … so the rest (that isn’t collected by neighbours etc. as part of the joyful informal hard rubbish swap that inevitably happens!) goes to landfill.

BUT … this year there is someplace to take those great-for-someone-else things that don’t get redistributed before the truck comes by … Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes is once again setting up ReLove - the PreLoved Pop Up … a friendly recycling shop!

So if you have items that someone else might love - or if you just like to rifle through other people’s junk in a friendly shop environment (rather than - or perhaps in addition to - on the street), pop on down to the old Kmart Tyre and Auto at the back of the Plaza (should be a super venue) and check out what’s in stock.

And … it is ALL run by volunteers SO … to volunteer yourself just click here. And … if you want to find out more about these passionate and committed locals (and pick up bargains year round) you can join Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes on Facebook.

Hard rubbish season is THE BEST season!

Thanks so much to the 29 participants in the 2023 Alphington Dog Show.

Another packed out event that ran as part of the overall Alphington Show.

Lots of cute dogs. Lots of winners. Thanks to Jill for once again being a super MC and to our judges … and to E and A Salce up on High Street in Thornbury for our lovely prizes.

Here are some photos (thanks Kalimna for your amazing photography skills).

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.