Day for the Dutch
SANDOWN Racecourse will host the annual Holland Festival this month – the biggest Dutch festival in the Southern Hemisphere.
The family friendly event will feature music, dancing and entertainment, traditional national costumes, games and traditional Dutch delicacies.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale. Vehicles enter via Princes Highway overpass. Pedestrians enter via Alamein Street, gate 14. Saturday 15 February, 10am to midnight. Entry is $20 for adults, $15 concession and free for kids aged under 15. For more information and to book tickets visit www.hollandfestival.com.au.
Crime prevention
GREATER Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch’s first meeting for the year is this week.
The community-based crime prevention program aims to improve the quality of life within a neighbourhood by minimising preventable crime and promoting closer community ties.
– Rooms three and four, Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 5 February, 7.30pm. Contact president Dawn Vernon at president@nhwgreaterdandenong.org or on 0407 325 030 for more information.
Tricks of the trade
DIY tips and craft for kids are on offer every weekend in February at Bunnings Warehouse, Dandenong.
For grown-ups there’ll be workshops on tiling, plastering, quick maintenance and repair, and storage advice, and for children there’s animal craft, mosaics and more.
– Every Saturday and Sunday throughout February. Adults at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Kids times vary. Bunnings Warehouse Dandenong, 1-5 Gladstone Road, Dandenong. Call 8792 9500 for more information.
Live entertainment
NOBLE Park RSL will host live music from Band of Gold.
Dinner is available from 6pm, with the performance beginning at 7.30pm. There’s no cover charge to enter.
– Noble Park RSL, 1128 Heatherton Road, Noble Park. Saturday 8 February. Call 9548 3750 for dinner bookings or general inquiries.
Dark-room creations
NUDGE Into Form is the solo show from She exhibition winner Danica Chappell.
Walker Street Gallery’s Gallery One will display the abstract photography created the old-fashioned analogue way – in a darkroom – in a time where digital images are ubiquitous.
– Walker Street Gallery, Robinson Street, Dandenong. From 2pm, Saturday 8 February to 3pm, Saturday 1 March. Call 9706 8441 for more information.
Lions Summer Festival
SPRINGVALE’S Burden Park will host the free Lions Summer Festival this month.
The three-day event will include live music, cultural performances, a talent quest, multicultural food stalls, community displays, rides and more.
There’ll be a fireworks display on the Saturday night.
– Burden Park, corner Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale South. Friday 14 February, 5pm to 11pm, Saturday 15 February, 11am to 11pm, and Sunday 16 February, 11am to 4pm. Call Ashley Lewis on 0418 380 555 for more information.
Hospital turns 30
THE Valley Private Hospital is celebrating its 30th birthday with a family fun day.
Rides, face painting, a petting farm and pony rides will be held outdoors on the hospital site, plus an interactive ambulance display and gourmet food and drinks.
Proceeds will go to the Black Dog Institute, world leaders in diagnosing, treating and preventing mood disorders such as depression and bipolar disorder.
– The Valley Private Hospital, corner Police and Gladstone roads, Mulgrave. Saturday 15 February, 9am to 3pm. Free parking and entry. Gold coin donations for activities.
The Kitchen Sink
UK playwright Tom Wells’s The Kitchen Sink is on its way to Dandenong.
The Red Stitch Actors Theatre production is an honest and touching comedy about Yorkshire family’s struggles to follow its dreams.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Friday 18 February and Sunday 1 March, 8pm. Tickets from $30. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au.
Puttin’ 4 hunger
DANDANONG food distribution charity Avocare is hosting a charity golf day to raise money to buy a refrigerated van. Enjoy a barbecue lunch, 18 holes of golf and a two-course dinner including beer, wine and soft drink for $250 per player.
– Rossdale Golf Club, Sixth Avenue, Aspendale. Friday 21 March. For a registration form email trish@avocare.org.au by 26 February.
Businesses clean up
THE Business Clean Up Australia Day is only a few weeks away.
Businesses can register a site to clean up at their own workplace or in their community, to make their local environment cleaner and greener.
– Tuesday 25 February. Visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au for more information.
Schools pitch in
STUDENTS and teachers work together to clean up their schools and community on Schools Clean Up Australia Day.
More than 470,000 students took part last year.
– Friday 28 February. Visit www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au to register a site or for more information.
