What’s Happening at theNeighbourhood House

Welcome to the first semester at Neighbourhood House for 2010. 

The House has been without a coordinator for about four months now and we had expected that the person we chose in December to fill this important role would be at work already. Unfortunately, and with no notice to the House given, this person changed their mind and left us having to seek and alternative. The Committee has decided to have a shortened recruitment process and is confident that we shall have our new coordinator, hopefully by the end of February. Our current interim coordinator, Mark Hooke has thankfully agreed to stay on for the duration, including a transition period for our new worker.

For any courses and/or activities you may be interested in please enroll, and pay for your course(s) as early as possible to ensure your place is secured. Feel free to drop into the House to discuss any courses or classes you may be interested in or just give us a call anytime. If there is a particular program you are interested in doing but no dates have been scheduled please call us and we will register you as an expression of interest. Enough expressions of interest in a program will ensure it can be held in the very near future.

We would like to thank Mark for all his help and assistance. It has been a pleasure working with him and we hope once his job here is done he’ll keep in touch with us here in Kinglake in the future.

Black Saturday Remembrance Service
All community members are invited to a community remembrance service to be held at 5pm on Sunday 7th February, (arrive from 3.30pm) at the Kinglake Football Ground. The service will include words of reflection, a minute’s silence, a release of butterflies, a performance of Lest We Forget with Cam Tapp and a Guard of Honour for those that helped us. A free BBQ will be provided and a free shuttle bus service will be operating from behind the Kinglake West Mechanics Institute and in front of the Kinglake Business Centre from 3.30pm. Return shuttles will be provided after the close of the event.

Anzac Day Memorial
Commemorate the contribution made by our service personnel on Sunday 25th April at the Lions Club Memorial, Kinglake Community Center, Extons Road at 10AM. Presented by the Kinglake Lions Club the morning will feature a guest speaker, a wreath laying ceremony, exhibition of war memorabilia and a delicious morning tea.

Community Workshop – Material Aid
There is still Material Aid available at the Neighbourhood house and goods are now available from our new workshop/shed. We have a large assortment of blankets, towels and bed linen as well as toiletries, shoes, boots and other sundry items still available. Please come along to the House and have a browse around for anything you may need, but remember to bring your referral card with you – this helps ensure the goods are being distributed only to Bushfire affected residents.

Craft Classrooms
The Craft Classrooms are still in the pipeline – just finalising permits etc to get them here and up and running. Sewing, knitting and craft sessions will be held Mondays, Fridays and/or Saturdays and most materials will be free. Give us a call at the House for further information on when these sessions will commence.

Kinglake Kids Play - Children’s Retreat
The Lion’s Growling Frogs project – Kinglake Kids Play (formerly The Kinglake Children’s Retreat) buildings are still progressing and a number of projects are on the go to get the retreat up and running. Electricity has been hooked up, plumbers are organised and landscaping works have begun. Once the buildings and grounds are completed the license will be granted and the facilities will be open for the community to utilise as a supervised play area. The childcare facilities will come in to play as soon as all other registrations and licenses have been granted.

Local community involvement is being sought for a number of projects to get the Retreat up and running and help is needed assisting with a number of upcoming working bees for the outdoor playground and amphitheatre areas. If you, or anyone you know is interested in lending a helping hand and getting involved in an incredibly worthwhile cause, please register your interest by phoning the Neighbourhood House and putting down your name and contact details.

A volunteer toy librarian is also required – this is a part time voluntary position responsible for overseeing the running of the toy library, coordinating volunteers and keeping systems in place. Again, please contact the House if you are interested. Quotes have been received for the playgrounds and equipment and sponsorship is currently being sought to establish these.

If there are any companies or individuals out there that would like to help this initiative please Call Ross from Growling Frogs on: 0448 590 722 – he’d love to hear from you.

When the Children’s retreat is operational childcare facilities, including weekend care, will be available – perfect for families rebuilding who need the kids looked after while parents are on site.

Programs will feature activities such as Circus School, Tumbling Classes for Toddlers, Dancing and Drama School, Children’s Birthday Parties, Martial Arts classes, dancing and a toy library. Any local community members who would like to establish any children’s programs for the Retreat are more than welcome to discuss your ideas and proposals with Ross - this project is for the benefit of the local community and local kids - your input, involvement and ideas are vital. Stay tuned for more progress reports shortly.

Program

 
 Food Safety Level One and Food Handlers’ Supervisor Course – These courses are available for anyone interested in participating. Please contact the House to express your interest and as soon as enough people are  registered we can hold the class.

Yoga  - is running from the Kinglake West Tennis Club with Wayne McGivney on a Tuesday evening for $5.00 per session.  Yoga will also be offered at the house with Julie on Mondays.


Sewing and craft activities will be running in our new portable 2 days per week once buildings have arrived and are fitted out.  Tutors will be available most days to help you with your project.  Materials will be supplied in most cases including patchwork and knitting.  The room will be set up with sewing machines and overlockers.
 
Knit Knack – Knitting – all materials 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month.  10.00 -1.00pm

Propagation and Growing – This proposed course teaches the principles of plant propagation, including propagation from cuttings, budding, grafting, seed collection and saving. The course provides a pathway to working in the horticultural industry or further experience in horticulture/Permaculture. It is also a great way to help re-establish your garden and other public spaces. Expressions of interest are being sought for people wanting to participate.

Ongoing Groups
You can join our on going groups at any time – Historical Society, Garden Group, Weekend and Week day walkers, Home Grown, Landcare, Painting Workshops, U3A, Kinglake Ranges Visual & Performing Arts Alliance and Kinglake Ranges Radio, Book Club.

Playgroup is still running at the House every Wednesday morning from 10.30AM to 12.30PM. All parents and children are welcome and costs are minimal. Please contact the House for further information or just come along on a Wednesday and join in the fun. (Please note; Playgroup does not operate during school holidays).

Badminton is operating on Wednesday mornings and Tuesday Evening.  Beginners are most welcome -  contact the office for more information.

Let’s Do Lunch – Come along and have some fun learning to cook new dishes once a month. Each month a different theme is chosen and once the cooking is complete participants will enjoy lunch together. Held every third Thursday of the month – please call the House and register your interest if you would like to participate. Cost is $8.00 per session to cover ingredients etc.

Tell us!
If you have any great ideas or preferences about courses/classes or groups, please let us know your thoughts. 
We need tutors for next year, so if you have skills or knowledge that might benefit other people and have some time to pass on your skills or knowledge and are interested in being a tutor or facilitator please contact the house to discuss the possibility of holding classes.

Volunteers needed
Neighbourhood House also needs more volunteers to help out. A variety of regular tasks need doing, as well as occasional one off projects. If you or anyone you know can spare an hour here and there, it would be most appreciated.  What benefits are there for you?  You can gain new skills, meet new people and get a sense of satisfaction out of your contribution. If there are any keen gardeners or maintenance people out there looking to help out the community facilities please contact us …. We need you!

What else is coming up?  Keep an eye out for the new semester program and further news about our craft rooms and Kinglake Kids Play project. We look forward to seeing you at The House in the new year -  Rebecca and Di.