News from PRACE

Here at Merrilands Community Centre, we’ve been fortunate enough to receive funding from the federal “iCET” project (infrastructure in community education and training).. a project managed by Deewr (The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations). We’re going to build a new space for vocational education & training (VET), and a canteen for the hospitality program.

We’ll be documenting the process visually as we go.. here are the “before” photographs. This slideshow will update regularly.Visit our flickr site to comment on individual photos (or visit the iCET photo set).

Tags: development, funding, iCET, infrastructure, Merrilands Community Centre

Wonderful news for everyone the Reservoir Neighbourhood House.. the new Neighbourhood House has been completed on schedule and is open to all. You will now find a range of classes, programs and groups for all ages, enjoying the incredible new building with its beautiful design full of space and light. Please come and visit us, at the corner of Cuthbert Road & Strathmerton Street Reservoir.

Stay tuned for the official opening later in the year.

(Click on photos for full size.)

The new Neighbourhood House is walking distance from Reservoir train station. Full details on our contact page.

Tags: beautiful, community, dynamic, East Reservoir, new

Maggie Clarke, the PRACE manager, has been in touch with people at the Diamond Creek Community Centre, where they are accepting all manner of donations.

It’s mostly toiletries that people need: incontinence pads, sanitary items, toothbrushes & paste, shampoo, shaving cream, deodorant, nail scissors. Also suits – any size – needed for funerals.

You can drop off donations at Merrilands Community Centre any time soon. Thank you.

“Our community” website has more ways you can help out.

Relevant links:

• Follow the latest updates at ABC Melbourne;
• Radio 774 (abc) also has a twitter feed with constant updates;
• The Red Cross emergency appeal;
• CFA incident reports and warnings.

On a personal note, Coach Carole McCulloch who has worked with our ACE colleagues in the north of Victoria, writes about the importance of staying connected at times like these.

This map shows latest updates from the CFA. (Full map here.)

photo credit: Thingo

Tags: appeal, bushfire, community, donation

Once again, many students published their stories in the end of year PRACE newsletter.

You can get your copy here: PRACE News and Reviews, December ‘08 (PDF file, 900kb).

Stories include:

• Cooking at St Stephens
• Student stories and excursions
• New offices,  New cubby, New garden
• Neighbourhood House
• VCAL Camp
• Can You Hear Us? audio technologies
• Photos from the Oven Launch

Tags: newsletter, publish, student

Our wonderful new AMEP co-ordinator Christine Clinch put her media skills into action, persuading the Preston Leader to place one of our newest English classes on the front page.

(Click on the picture to see a larger version.)

Here’s the story:

Class no damper

BAKING a perfect Aussie damper was a linguistic adventure for new migrant Hanan Koko (pictured with daughter Samantha, 10 months, front) at her English conversation class. She learned to knead the dough until it was soft “like a baby’s bottom”, a phrase that brought giggles to the students.

The new class is at Reservoir Baptist Church and run by Preston Reservoir Adult Community Education. It meets at the church in Purinuan Rd, East Reservoir. every Wednesday.

Call 9462 6077 for details.
Picture: JOSIE HAYDEN, NO7PT400

Thanks to the Preston Leader.

Tags: bread, class, conversation, English, Preston Leader

Get your copy of the PRACE News and Reviews for December ‘07. (pdf file, 900kb: print to double-sided A3 and fold).

Plus, old news : November ‘06 is Still a good read! (pdf file, 900kb).

Tags: newsletter, reviews, student writing