We are very fortunate to have Phil volunteer his time weekly to help anyone in our community who needs assistance with their devices … phones, tablets, laptops and lately even printers! He’s a master of all things computery ….

Phil is generally here on Tuesday afternoon from 2-4pm, but in Term 2 the times will change for 6 weeks - to Wednesdays from 10am-12pm. This will start from Wednesday 26 April (our first day back) and run through to Wednesday 7 June.

So … if you need help with your device (you are having trouble setting up your new phone, your tablet is doing strange things, you’re email isn’t working across your devices, you need some tips of how to use Word or Excel etc.) you are more than welcome to come along and he’ll do his best to help you. To book in just call Kalimna in our office on 9499 7227 (she is here Tuesday and Thursday).

We often have enquiries about art classes, so we’re excited that Clare (who is here on Friday running Gardening Group in the morning and AAA Art in the afternoon) is starting a new Art Class in Term 2.

She will be running it in the new light-filled Bellfield Community Hub, just up the road in Bellfield … (hooray - you’ll be able to stop in at Tamby Food and buy some treats on the way home - I noticed it has reopened last time I went past).

Clare’s social and fun small group adult art classes will run on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm with Term 2 beginning on 17th May and running for 5 weeks. The cost is $225 and her classes are suitable for beginners and also intermediate artists.

This term the focus will be on COMPOSITION & COLOUR in LANDSCAPE ART.

Visit Clare’s website swirlart.com.au to find out more and book in. Or you can call her on 0423453160.

“Manhood is a journey that requires self-discovery, courage, vulnerability, compassion, connection, and purpose.”

Our lovely neighbourhood friend John Byrne is the founder of Coaching Life Works. He has over 30 years experience in the field of counselling for men and youth. He has a long association with ACC. In Term 2 he is starting up a new Men’s Group, meeting on Monday evenings in the Community Shed here at ACC, from 6.45pm-9pm. If you are interested in finding out more or coming along you can contact John directly on 0439 899 352 or email coachinglifeworks@gmail.com.

Here is a little introduction he has sent through.

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Many of us want to make changes in our lives, but we often find ourselves stuck in the contemplation stage, unsure of how to move forward. And crossroads in our lives (such as starting families, retiring from work etc.) can make us feel stuck in our careers, relationships, or personal lives, struggling to break free from the past and embrace a brighter future.

Personal growth is a lifelong journey that requires self-reflection, introspection, and a willingness to confront our deepest fears and insecurities. As men, we often struggle with expressing vulnerability and seeking help, especially when it comes to our emotional well-being. However, acknowledging our limitations and seeking support is not a sign of weakness but a testament to our strength and resilience.

At Coaching Life Works our mission is to empower and support men as they identify their values, strengths, and goals, encouraging them to live fulfilling lives that align with their true purpose. We provide a safe and supportive environment for men to explore their thoughts, behaviours, and feelings, particularly emotional intelligence and develop strategies to overcome obstacles as they achieve their desired outcomes.

Our coaching approach is tailored to everyone’s unique needs and challenges and is rooted in evidence-based practices that promote self-awareness, resilience, a growth mindset and emotional intelligence. We use a variety of techniques, including experiential body centred awareness, positive psychology and mindfulness to help our clients develop the skills and tools they need to navigate life's challenges with confidence and clarity.

As a coach, I am passionate about empowering men to become the best versions of themselves, and to create meaningful change in their lives. I have seen first hand how coaching can transform lives and bring about lasting, positive change. Whether you are looking to overcome a specific challenge, improve your relationships, or gain clarity about your life's purpose, Coaching Life Works can help you achieve your goals.

As someone who has personally experienced the transformative power of coaching, I am committed to helping men achieve their goals and live fulfilling lives. I believe that everyone deserves to reach their full potential and that Coaching Life Works can help you be powerful in your personal growth and development.

You can visit my website at www.coachinglifeworks.com to learn more about our coaching services.

I look forward to hearing from you and supporting you on your journey.

Sincerely,

John Byrne

Hi Leanne here! As you probably know, on Friday mornings we have an open house at ACC, where people come along and craft and make things in the shed, and garden with Clare etc. … and then at 11.30am we get together for morning tea in the garden - and a laugh and a chat. It’s really lovely to keep up regularly with neighbourhood friends over food and a cuppa - some people enjoy it so much they come along just for the morning tea part of the session!

This year we’re wondering if there is anyone in the community who would be interested in volunteering to cook/coordinate our morning tea/early light lunch.

At morning tea we generally have:.

• Something sweet (cake, biscuits etc.)

• Something savoury (toasties, spanikopita, sausage rolls etc.)

• Fruit (whatever is in season), and

• Tea 🫖 and coffee ☕️ of course.

On Fridays we open at 9.30am. The role would involve cooking and then setting up some platters and loading up our trolley with all the things (catering for around 15 people) … and sending it out into the garden at 11.30am. Our cooking volunteers are of course very welcome and enthusiastically encouraged to join in morning tea as well.

We’re flexible about how the volunteer role(s) could unfold … Maybe a couple of people could work together, or a couple of people could alternate weeks or one person might like to commit weekly and run the whole thing.

Also … if you aren’t available on Friday mornings but enjoy baking perhaps you’d like to cook something at home and drop it off regularly? This would be super helpful and lovely too!

We have a budget for the program to cover the food costs, so there is no cost to volunteering - apart from your time (which I am sure will be rewarded with appreciation from those who attend).

If this sounds like something you might enjoy contributing to, please let us know! You can email Leanne here. And … include your phone number so we can have a chat. That would super!

Thanks in advance.

We’re holding our first jamming session for the year on Thursday 16 February. If you’d like to come along and help cook up a storm sign up on our website.

And … if you have fruit trees or access to homegrown veggies to make relishes etc. we’d love to be the recipient of your backyard bounty!

Give us a call on 9499 7227 or pop past or email. If we know what to expect we can plan our cooking around it … thanks. Hope to see you soon.

Oh .. and also, if you have small jars we’d love ❤️ them …