News from PRACE

The Darebin Neighbourhood House Network organised a fundraiser for the Kinglake Neighbourhood House – a film night on October 8th. The film was “Mao’s Last Dancer” and it was at the Palace Theatre in Westgarth.

The film was well attended by people from neighbourhood houses and community centres all around Melbourne’s northern suburbs. Tickets were $20 each with roughly 50% going to the Kinglake House – thanks to everyone who came and enjoyed the film so that Kinglake NH could benefit.

Here’s the movie trailer:

Tags: bushfire, community, fundraiser, Kinglake, network

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

Remember the wonderful community oven launch from last year, when Ima Forni donated a wood-fired oven to the Merrilands Community Centre, and Vasili from Channel 31 came along to film the event? People cooked bread in the oven, people danced and sang together, there was music and feasting. (Story back here.)

Well now’s your chance to see your friends and colleagues on television! Channel 31 screened the show this week, and it’s being repeated Wednesday 6th May at 7.30pm.

If you don’t get Channel 31 on your television, you can find the video on their website at c31.org.au. (Search for “Vasili’s Garden”, and watch the program from 3rd May 09. Could be there for the next 6 weeks.)

It’s a great show, full of interviews with many people in the community, and also featuring Don the amazing horticulture teacher with his students.

Watch and enjoy! Tell your friends.

Plus:

• Find out more about our horticulture programs on the program information page.
• Find out more about Merrilands Community Centre via the Merrilands category.
• Still don’t know where Merrilands Community Centre is? We’re in Reservoir! Details here.

Tags: celebration, Channel 31, community, food, launch, oven, Vasili

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

Rita, Deb and Ozlem have worked their magic to produce not only a wood-fired oven for the community, but also a student-authored recipe book with stories about culture and food.

Friday the 28th of November was the big day, and Vasili came along to host and film the event for Vasili’s Garden on Channel 31.

This was truly an event to remember. Thanks to all who came along. Master of Ceremonies (MC) for the day was Gabby Fakhri. This was a free event, with lunch provided (Halal).

Some photos from the day (30 second video – click play).

Here is a flyer to put on your wall. Oven-Launch-Invite (PDF132kb)

photo credit: DavidDennisPhotos.com

Tags: Channel 31, community, food, launch, oven, Vasili