Community Calendar

This week's photographer's choice picture is of Francis Acquah who was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to mental health care and the community. (Damjan Janevski) 385509_01

Learn to Relax

IPC Health is inviting locals to attend a free six-week program offering an introduction into different aspects of relaxation. Learn to Relax provides free support for people aged 18 and who are interested in learning how to relax and ways to effectively manage their stress. Location is IPC Health Deer Park, 106 Station Road, Deer Park 3023, 1-2pm, every Thursday from February 15, to March 21. Registration is essential.

livingwell@ipchealth.com.au or 1300 472 432 and ask to speak to the Living Well team.

Keilor Gift Carnival

The Keilor Gift Carnival runs on February 17, at Joe Brown Oval from 2-9.30pm. Join for athletics, men’s and ladies woodchopping, children’s races, carnival rides, food and drink with fireworks to finish the day. Family ticket $15.

■0418 350 857, Hkelly546@outlook.com

No waste cooking workshop

Locals are invited to a free ‘No Waste Cooking’ workshop to learn how to reduce food waste at home. The free workshop will include an interactive cooking demonstration, tastings and a pickling activity. The workshop will be held at the Sydenham Neighbourhood House on February 17 from 2-3.30pm.

■https://shorturl.at/xCHJK

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 February 24, from 1.30-4.30pm at the Sunshine Library. Registration is required.

■https://shorturl.at/gBU28

Neighbourhood House

The Kororoit Creek Neighbourhood House is on the lookout for volunteers to join its homework club. Do you have a passion for helping kids learn and build confidence? The team is looking for volunteers who can read with students, help with their homework and run games or activities. Classes run every Tuesday from 3.15-5pm during the school term at Albion Primary School.

homeworkclub@kcnh.org.au, 0408 797 776

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

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.

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

ow.ly/QVwJ50Q5g42

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

Melton Bridge Club

The Melton Bridge Club has weekly social bridge sessions at the Melton Library on Fridays from 10am-noon. Come along to play an exciting, social card game and have loads of fun. Bridge offers the suspense of poker, the cerebral qualities of chess and the excitement of athletic sports, all in a relaxed and social setting. If you like playing cards this is for you.

■Rosemary, 0407 894 817

Melton Friendship Group.

Join the Melton Friendship Group for singles 55 and older. Meet fortnightly for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events.

■ 0406 493 734

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club

The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am at Melton Country Club. New members welcome.

■Ann 0425705150