Community calendar – Melbourne’s West

Photographer's choice photo. Kwabo Grace from Kwabo Events performing Afrodance, she will perform at the Footscray Night Markets. (Damjan Janevski) 259904_01

Want to know what to do this week? Check out what community events are happening in Melbourne’s west.

Want your event listed? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication.

Village Market

The next Sunbury Village Market will be at the Sunbury Memorial Hall and Village Green, Stawell Street on Saturday, December 11. The Sunbury Rotary Club is currently seeking stallholders.

■ 0400 907 793

Birds of a Feather

Join guest speaker Hang Vo, CEO of Whitelion Youth and the Chair of the Victorian Pride Centre as she talks about how her personal experience of dislocation and exclusion drives her deep commitment to creating a more just, inclusive and equitable society. Friday, December 17 at noon at the Shamrock Hotel Kyneton.

belinda.brain@scchc.org.au

Christmas decoration workshop

Join Hume council for a morning of sustainable Christmas decoration making. The event will be held on Sunday, December 12 at the Goonawarra Community Centre from 10am to noon, with tickets $5 each.

bit.ly/3xGzEs8

Rotary club

The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 7pm.

sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Symbiosis exhibition

This stark series of photographs that explore the relationship between a mother and daughter, against deeper themes of death and regeneration in nature is available to view until Saturday, January 15, 2022. The series of images are available to view for free, and are presented by Hume Arts Youth Award 2020 recipient, Filipe Filihia.

bit.ly/3BTguQl

Live music at the Macedon Railway Hotel

Macedon Railway Hotel will welcome back guests to Annie Hall next year with gigs booked from January through to May. Head to the hotel’s website to secure your spot.

macedonrailwayhotel.com.au/live-shows

Toastmasters meeting

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall.

vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

Sewing group

The Sunbury Neighbourhood House Social Sewing Group meets on the first Saturday of each month to chat, share ideas and sew. Beginners through experienced welcome. Sunbury Neighbourhood House, 531 Elizabeth Drive, Sunbury 12.30-3.30pm.

Garden club

The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club.

■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club

Senior citizens are welcome to visit the Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. Lunch is subsidised. If you’re over 55 years of age and would like to meet new people, come along.

■ Frank, 0423 392 884

Probus

The Keilor Combined Probus Club is back in business following the lockdowns. The group meets the third Monday of every month at Keilor Pub, with the next meeting on January 17, 10am-noon. New members are welcome.

■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801.

Women’s group

Duke Street Community Centre is setting up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday, as a way to connect with other women in the community in a safe, fun and social way. It will be developed to suit the needs of the participants and will be in a casual setting. The group will meet at the centre at 1pm, every second Friday.

■ 9311 9973

Football

​​Taylors Lakes Football Club is seeking male and female players for all age groups from under-8s to under-18.5s. To be eligible, children need to be born between July 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015.

■ Julie, 0409 259 389

Female cricket

Burnside Springs United is looking for players for its women’s program for the upcoming North West Metropolitan Cricket Association season. A friendly and welcoming environment, the club welcomes all abilities and ages. The side trains on Thursday nights and plays on Sundays.

■ ow.ly/WRGg50GCXrC

Softball

Sunshine Softball Club is after junior players as the club kicks off its new season. The club is running a Come N Try Softball Batter Up program which is ideal for beginners, but is open to all new and returning players aged between five and 10. The program is a fun and engaging skill based program introducing players to the basics of our fantastic game with qualified coaches. Equipment is supplied.

ow.ly/TOez50GHXku

Deer Park probus

The Deer Park Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at The Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, from 10am. New members and visitors are welcome.

■ Don, 0409 191 580

Sunshine United Cricket Club

Selwyn Park-based Sunshine United Cricket Club is looking for junior boys and girls to play in its under-11s, under-13s Friday night and under-15s Saturday morning teams. Juniors learn and enjoy the fundamentals of cricket, taught by experienced coaches.

■ Terry Nichols, 0418 392 180

BinGO MOVE

BinGO MOVE is a social exercise group which meets every Monday at 11am. It involves a fun interactive game where bingo numbers trigger an exercise or dance move. Activity suits all levels of ability, you can do seated or standing as suits. Currently running via Zoom, IPC Health will also offer face-to-face groups in Hoppers Crossing, when restrictions permit.

■ 8734 1400

Volunteers needed

The Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Community Visitors Scheme is seeking female Maltese and Italian-speaking volunteers to join its volunteer program within the Werribee and Point Cook areas to visit elderly residents in either an aged care facility or their own home. The scheme is also seeking a female volunteer with an understanding of MS to visit a mature lady in an aged care facility in Altona Meadows.

■ Sue, volunteer@ms.org.au or 9845 2744

AL-ANON meets

AL-ANON provides support for families and loved ones living with alcoholics and problem drinkers. The group meets Mondays at St Thomas Anglican Church foyer, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee, from 7.30pm, and on Tuesdays at the St Mary’s Tennis Club rooms, 204 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough.

Fibro/CFS Support

Expressions of interest to start a Fibromyalgia and CFS Support Group in Manor Lakes and surrounding areas. Connect with real people and share information, experiences, problems and solutions.

wyndham.fibrogroup@gmail.com

Love Our Street 3029

Come join the volunteer community litter clean-up crew in Hoppers Crossing, which meets on the third Sunday of the month, 10.30am-noon.

■ Karen, 3029@loveourstreet.com.au

Dads’ playgroup

Tarneit Community Learning Centre hosts a dads’ playgroup every week on Thursdays. The morning starts at 9.30am and promises to be a chance for male caregivers to connect with each other and form new friendships.

■ Shaun, 0455 521 154

Diabetes support group

The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am.

■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

Heritage walks

Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place.

■ John, 0418 377 336

Musicians welcome

Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join ITS community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport. Visitors and interested musicians any age most welcome.

■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au

Singing group

Join the Melton South Community Singers at the Melton South Community Centre on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

■ Sue, 0400 082 413

Melton South Knit & Natter

All welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa.

■ 9747 8576

Zonta club meets

The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton.

■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

Mahjong group

Interested in learning to play Mahjong? U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am.

u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016

First aid courses

Melton South Community Centre offers a number of first aid courses for people wanting to learn or renew these valuable skills. One-day classes are held on Saturdays throughout the year.

■ 9747 8576

Melton Men’s Probus Club

The Melton Men’s Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9:45am. New members and visitors are most welcome.

■ 9746 0271

Baby settling

Hobsons Bay Council is offering a free Baby Settling Course to provide tips for getting a good night’s sleep for your baby and you. Parents can sign up for an online group session for ages 0 to 6 months, 6 to 12 months, and 18 months to two years.

hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/MCH

Altona North combined probus

The Altona North combined probus club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Includes a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere.

■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

Footscray Night Market

The Footscray Night Market is on until December 24 at Railway Reserve, Footscray. A foodie lover’s dream, the night markets offer cuisines from around the world each Friday night. That’s matched with entertainment and music that showcases each culture amidst the leafy gardens, located next to Footscray Train Station.

■https://www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/News/Make-memories-this-summer-at-Footscray-Night-Market

Yarraville Community Centre Chatty Cafe

The Chatty Cafe Scheme is about helping get people chatting to build and encourage social connections within the local community, and to help reduce social isolation and loneliness. The Yarraville community centre holds a free community group meeting every Wednesday at 10 -11am via Zoom, and will be looking to move to in-person soon.

www.ycc.net.au/shop/health-wellbeing/the-chatty-cafe/

Laverton Community Choir

All welcome for a friendly singing get-together, suitable for all ages and abilities on Thursday nights from 7pm during school term at the Laverton P-12 College, 91 Bladin Street, Laverton.

■ Ada, 0419 116 013

Rotary club

Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome.

■ Pam, 0418 347 691or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Mouth organ band

The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. New members, players or beginners welcome.

■ Heather, 9399 2190

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park, Bacchus Marsh.

Meets Wednesdays from 10am -noone at Maddingley Park, corner of Grant and Taverner streets, Bacchus Marsh, to maintain two beautiful rose gardens. New volunteers are always welcome – with or without experience.

■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119 or 0400 052 857