Dandenong Show
THE show is in its 143rd year and will feature carnival rides, animal competitions, a fireworks display and more.
There’ll be a truck pull event and motor bike stunt shows, classic car displays and roving entertainment.
– Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November. Entry is free for children aged under 10, $5 for children aged 10 to 14, $15 for adults, and $35 for a family. Parking is $5. Visit www.dandyshow.com.au for more information.
Historic Sandown
THE Victorian Historic Racing Register organises this annual meeting and will pay tribute to its late patron Sir Jack Brabham.
The best sports, racing and touring cars from yesteryear will be in action, alongside Australian motor racing personalities.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale. Friday 7, Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November, 8am. Entry is free to Friday practice, $35 Saturday, $45 Sunday and $70 for the weekend. Pensioners and students save $5. Entry is free for children aged 15 and under. Visit www.vhrr.com/event_info.htm for more information.
Let there be jazz
A DANDENONG Civic Square coffee shop is hosting live jazz.
Clifford and Co will play the next event, Let There be Light, Let There be Jazz.
– Liberica Coffee, Dandenong Civic Centre, Library Shop 6, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Sunday 16 November, 1.30pm. Call 9791 4415 or email info@LibericaCoffee.com.au for more information.
All about orchids
DANDENONG and District Orchid Club meets monthly and hosts flowering competitions, guest speakers with expert advice and plant sales.
Meeting entry is free. Club membership is $20 per year.
– Dandenong Agricultural and Pastoral Society administration building, Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Friday 14 November, 7pm. Email menew@bigpond.com or call Ron Daniell on 0412 188 263 for more information.
Walk this way
SPRINGVALE Neighbourhood House is welcoming new members to its Friday walking group.
The beginners group for people of all fitness levels walks to a local place of interest and back, within an hour.
All walkers are issued with a map and can walk at their own pace.
– Springvale Neighbourhood House, 46-50 Queens Avenue, Springvale. Fridays 31 October and 7, 14, 21 and 28 November, 9.30am. Call Melanie Virtue on 9548 3972 for more information.
Cambodian Ancestors Festival
THE 15th day of the 10th Khmer month is the Pchum Ben Festival, also known as Death‘s Ceremony or Ancestors’ Day.
This important festival is the opportunity for Cambodians to pay respects to their ancestors.
– Spring Valley Reserve, 458-462 Springvale Road, Springvale. Friday 31 October and Saturday 1 and Sunday 2 November, 10am. The event is free and everyone is welcome.
Dinner with a VIEW
DANDENONG Evening VIEW Club will host broadcaster and actor Kevin Trask as its next guest speaker.
The club supports The Smith Family. New members are always welcome.
– Dandenong RSL, 44-50 Clow Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 11 November, 7pm. Call 9795 1222 for more information.
Networking night
GREATER Dandenong Chamber of Commerce will host a Platinum Partner Networking Evening in conjunction with Patterson Cheney Cars and Trucks.
The event is an informal networking opportunity in a casual environment.
– Patterson Cheney Toyota, 200 Cheltenham Road, Dandenong. Thursday 30 October, 5.15pm. This event is free for members and $10 per person for non-members. Confirm attendance with Amanda Checken at greaterdandychamber@bigpond.com or on 9794 8881.
Neighbourhood Watch
GREATER Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch’s next forum will feature David Mann as guest speaker.
He’s the roving reporter for Mann About Town on 3AW, a promotions and marketing manager and is passionate about Neighbourhood Watch.
– Rooms three and four, Paddy O`Donoghue Centre, 18-34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 19 November, 7.30pm to 9pm. Light supper is provided. Call or text Dawn on 0407 325 030 or email president@nhwgreaterdandenong.org for more information.
Poetry for the Soul of an Earthling
ANNE Boyd from EarthSong will speak about the works of American poet Mary Oliver.
She’ll look at several poems that address the concept of soul and the art of praying.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 28 October, 5.30pm to 6.30pm. A $5 donation is suggested. Spaces are limited. Call 9791 8664 to book.
Retreat with yoga
HERITAGE Hill yoga instructor Jo Odessa will co-ordinate retreats over Saturdays in November.
They’ll include beginners’ courses, hot yoga and cool yoga and more.
– Saturdays 8, 15, 22 and 29 November, 9.30am to 12.30pm. The cost is $55, including lunch. Call Jo on 0405 427 183 or email jo@odessagallery.com to book.
Dandenong Community Cemetery Tours
FRIENDS of Dandenong Cemeteries leads tours through the Dandenong Community Cemetery to discover the final resting places of many Dandenong pioneers and tells the anecdotes and stories about the locally important, unusual or infamous. Each tour is unique and runs for 90 minutes.
– Dandenong Community Cemetery, Kirkham Road, Dandenong South. Sunday 9 November, 2pm to 3.30pm. The tour costs $15. Bookings are essential. Call 0411 399 449 for more information.
Rare plants
THE Heritage Hill gardeners have planted some rare and significant plants towards the front of the Laurel Lodge gardens.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the gardens or can arrange to visit as a group.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday noon to 4pm. Call 9793 4511 to book.
Back to nature
ALEX Wilkie Nature Reserve will host open days every Friday and the third Sunday of the month during spring and summer.
Park rangers are available for guided tours or guests can take a ride on a live steamers mini-train.
– Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Mackay Street, Springvale South. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702 for more information.
Supporting men
SPRINGVALE Multicultural Men’s Shed will host a fundraiser featuring games and raffles.
– Springvale South Scout Hall, Springvale Road (near McKay Street), Springvale South. Friday 31 October, 7.30pm to 10.30pm. Entry is $15. Call 0417 053 612 to book.
Walk this way
WALKFEST is a free community event that aims to get people of all abilities, all ages and all backgrounds active through walking and recreational activities.
The day involves three walks from different locations across the City of Greater Dandenong, all ending at Hemmings Park, Dandenong, with activities including a free sausage sizzle.
– Friday 31 October, 9.30am to 2pm. Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for starting points and registration details.
Springvale Food Lovers Tour
THIS guided tour will wander beyond Springvale Road through arcades and laneways, covering Cambodian, Thai and Vietnamese/Chinese cuisine.
– Central Springvale (location confirmed upon booking). Thursday 30 October, 5.50pm to 8pm. The tour is $45 per person. Bookings are essential. Call 9771 5777 or visit www.greaterdandenong.com.
Barefoot bowls
NOBLE Park Bowls Club will have a barefoot bowls session every Friday evening from 24 October.
Bowls are supplied and everyone is welcome.
– Noble Park Bowls Club, 46-56 Moodemere Street, Noble Park. Fridays at 6pm. The cost is $7 per person. Call Reg Vernon on 0428 647 540 or email rwdlvernon@bigpond.com for more information or to make a booking.
October exhibitions
ART on display at Heritage Hill will include digital prints based on geometric constructivism and an exploration of the lotus flower and its symbolism of healing in oil paintings, acrylic and pastel on canvas, and prints on sari silk.
There’ll also be photographs from young women from the African Foundation.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Until 9 November. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and noon to 4pm Sundays.
Music for seniors
ENJOY music in the gardens at Heritage Hill.
Participants can bring their own picnic lunch and rug. Attendance is free but bookings are essential.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday 17 November with The Templestowe Entertainers, 1.30pm to 3pm. Book on 9793 4511.
Koori Youth Group
THE Koori Youth Group is a place for indigenous young people to meet and get involved in music, art, sports and community events.
The free group meets each Monday during school terms.
– The Castle, Hemmings Park, Princes Highway, Dandenong. 4pm to 6.30pm. Contact Youth Services on 9793 2155 or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cgdyouthservices for more information.
University of the Third Age
THE Dandenong U3A offers 40 classes to retirees, Monday to Friday.
Annual membership is $40 and gives access to all classes.
– Call 9546 2997 or visit www.dandenongu3a.com.au for more information.
Game On
THE Game On Basketball Program is for 12 to 25-year-olds who enjoy basketball and breakdancing.
Participants can join in the casual basketball games with their own team or join another team and there’s a large stage for breakdancing rehearsal.
City of Greater Dandenong’s Youth Services runs the free program.
– Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Mondays, 4.30pm to 7pm, except public holidays. Call 9793 2155 or Facebook message www.facebook.com/cgdyouthservices for more information.
Chapel Concert Series
HAILEYBURY is presenting a lunchtime concert series in a chapel known for its excellent acoustics and stained-glass mosaic windows.
The free series is open to the public and will feature leading music students, Old Haileyburians and members of the music staff.
– David Bradshaw Chapel, Haileybury College, 855 Springvale Road, Keysborough. 29 October, and 12 and 26 November, 1.20pm to 2pm. Call 9213 2222 for more information.
