Paper Stories collage workshops
Paper stories encourages and inspires community members to create new stories by weaving together existing images from books and magazines. Participants will be guided through collage techniques by Augustine, a collage artist and masters of therapeutic arts student. Suitable for people of all ages, and anyone who has an interest in exploring art making through paper. The workshop is free and will run on January 20, from 1.30-4.30pm at the Sunshine Library. Registration is required.
■https://shorturl.at/bK089
St Albans Lunar New Year
The St Albans Business Association is inviting locals to celebrate the 2024 Lunar New Year on Sunday, January 21. The festival will have a large variety of stalls, food, entertainment, community information, performances, rides, fireworks and dancing. The festival will take place at Alfrieda Street, St Albans from 10am-10pm. Entry is free.
■https://www.stalbanstowncentre.com.au/lunarfestival
Sunshine Lunar New Year
The Sunshine Business Association is hosting the Sunshine Lunar New Year Festival on January 28. The festival is a free multicultural community event taking place in the busy Sunshine shopping precinct along Hampshire Road, Sunshine on Sunday, January 28, from noon-10pm. The day will feature free family fun, live entertainment, children’s rides, street performers, music, dancing, street food, face-painting, magical Lion and Dragon dancing, red-pockets and firecrackers ending with spectacular fireworks.
■https://shorturl.at/hHNP4
15th annual Show Off
Locals are invited to enjoy the 15th annual Show Off, a bicycle and car show in conjunction with the Brimbank Bicycle Education centre to provide a family day out, and also promote bicycling, upcycling bicycles and bike maintenance, with music by DJ Rod G, food and entertainment. The event will take place on February 4, from noon-6pm at the Bicycle Education Centre, 7 Clubhouse Place, Keilor Downs.
■https://www.saintside.com/
Girl Guides
Brimbank District Girl Guides is inviting locals to come and try guides before committing to join. Girls aged 5-18 and adults are invited to enjoy the fun and friendship of guiding.
■Carolyn 0418 536 084
Sunshine Repair Cafe
Do you enjoy fixing things or have skills in mending clothing and textiles? Kororoit Neighbourhood House is looking for volunteer repairers for the newly launched Repair Café in Brimbank. Events happen once a month and are an opportunity to meet others in the community and share your skills while helping fix broken household items.
■sunshinerepaircafe@kcnh.org.au, or 0413 434 082
Al-Anon Family Groups
Al-Anon Family Groups is offering help and hope to anyone living in an unhappy home because a loved one drinks too much. There are no contracts to sign, just a voluntary donation to cover room rental. Confidentiality is protected. Confidential meetings held at the Sydenham Neighbourhood Centre (rear of library) every Wednesday from 1-2:30pm. New members welcome. No appointment necessary.
Card games
Love playing the card game 500? Card games are played every Monday from 7-10pm at the Sunshine RSL offices, 99 Dickson Street, Sunshine.
■Leisa, 0425 768 808
Keilor Day View Club
The Keilor Day View Club meets at 11am on the first Thursday of each month at Green Gully Soccer Club, Green Gully Reserve, Club House Place, Keilor Downs. The club is inviting locals to come along and enjoy a meal and fun with a friendly group of ladies.
■Robyn, 0425 387 880
Palliative volunteers needed
Mercy Palliative Care is looking for volunteers to visit palliative care patients in their homes to offer social support.
■9313 5700 or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au
Deer Park Lions Club
Deer Park Lions Club is looking for new members. It holds dinner meetings on the first Wednesday of every month at the Deer Park Senior Citizens Club, 119 Station Road, Deer Park.
■Michael, 0417 307 572
Sunshine Community Brass
Sunshine Community Brass is looking for trumpet and percussion players to join its vibrant band of musicians. With more than 90 years of history, the band rehearses at 45 Furlong Road, North Sunshine, on Tuesdays from 7.30pm.
■Andrew, 0419 444 620
St Albans senior citizens
St Albans Senior Citizens group meet at the centre at the corner of Alfrieda and William streets, St Albans, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9am-2pm. Annual membership: $10. Cost: $1 entry on attendance day.
■Roma, 0435 991 064
Caroline Springs Rotary
The Rotary Club of Caroline Springs is inviting new guests to join its meetings in person or via zoom. Meetings are held every Wednesday at the Western Emergency Relief Network in Ravenhall from 7pm.
■rotarycarolinesprings@gmail.com
Sunrise Social Groups
GenWest Sunrise Social Groups are currently seeking new members for their Melton, Brimbank and Wyndham programs. The free groups are organised by Genwest and provide a social space for women, gender diverse and nonbinary people, who have a disability, chronic health issues and/or mental health challenges.
■https://genwest.org.au/what-we-do/health-wellbeing-programs/
Seniors lunch
Deer Park Branch of National Seniors Australia hosts a lunch on the third Friday of each month at different venues. The group also arrange activities each month, sometimes to the theatre, morning melodies, train or bus trip. The group also holds a general meeting at The Club in Caroline Springs on the first Wednesday of every month at 1.30pm. Locals are invited to join in for lunch or just attend the meeting and make new friends.
■Pamela, pcostello46@hotmail.com
BusyFeet Hillside
BusyFeet is a dance and movement class for children with intellectual and physical disabilities. Classes create a fun and inclusive environment for kids aged six to 16 to try new things and build social skills, as well as giving a chance for parents’ respite. It’s held from 11-11.45am Saturday.
■Ross, 0411 228 311
Chatty Cafe Melton
Are you feeling lonely, isolated or just wanting to make some new friends? If so, Chatty Cafe is for you. The group meets on Friday mornings at 10am for delicious free coffee from Latin foods and wines at 10 Wallace Square, Melton.
■https://www.facebook.com/groups/352071857283331
Women’s Support Group
Women’s Support Group Melton is for any women who feel they would like to attend a peer support group which is relaxed, friendly and non-judgemental. The group meets weekly at 1pm on Mondays (except for public holidays) at Djerriwarrh Neighbourhood House, 239 Station Road, Melton. The group can discuss most subjects that may be of help
■https://ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42
Melton Ladies Probus
Meets from 10am on the second Wednesday of each month at Melton Country Club on Reserve Road, Melton. All visitors are welcome.
■Dianne, 9743 7446
The Gap on Graham
The Gap provides a place for Melton youth to hang out, socialise, play games and learn new skills. The centre holds a night for girls aged 10 to 18 years at 5 Graham Street, Melton, on Wednesday evenings. There is also a drop-in night for anyone aged 12-25 years old.
■Val, 0414 769 605.
Melton Men’s Group
Melton Men’s Group meets every Thursday from 5-8pm at Arnolds Creek Children’s and Community Centre, 19 Claret Ash Boulevard, Harkness. Focusing on senior men’s mental and physical wellbeing. Join the group for a cuppa and a chat, listen to guest speakers and participate in activities including carpet bowls, pool or table tennis.
■meltonmensgroup.home.blog
Take weight off naturally
Struggling to lose weight? Struggling to get motivated? Want to try and do it in a friendly and less stressful atmosphere? Come and join TOWN (Take Weight Off Naturally) every Tuesday at 6pm at the Darlingsford Barn, Darlingsford Boulevard, Melton.
■Catherine, 0416 612 517, or Bob, 0411 824 739
Mens Fella-ship
Men from all walks of life are invited to connect with their community and catch up over a cuppa at the weekly Fella-ship social group, meeting on Wednesday afternoons between 1-3pm at the Melton South Community Centre. The catch ups are free and no bookings are required.
■9747 8576
