Library birthday
CITY of Greater Dandenong’s library service is turning 40.
It’s celebrating the milestone with Afghan tea and birthday cake, family storytime and other free family fun.
– Dandenong Library, 39 Clow Street, Dandenong. 22 February, noon to 2pm.
Sewing circle
START a new sewing project or finish off something you’re working on with a friendly group.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Tuesdays, 10am to noon. A suggested donation to take part is $4. No experience is necessary. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664 for more information.
Fantastic grandparents
GRANDCHILDREN will brag about their grandparents and their life journey in Australia in a musical play from the Australian Filipino Community Services.
The Ethnic Minorities Council of Victoria and Seniors Rights Victoria will speak on respect and dignity in ageing as part of the event.
– My Grandparents are Fantastic. Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 22 February, 1pm to 3pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for children. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au
Ballroom at Burden Park
JOIN social ballroom dancing at Burden Park Bowling Club on the first and fifth Saturdays of the month.
– Burden Park Bowling Club, corner Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale South. The cost is $8. BYO supper, drinks and glasses. Call June on 9798 1784 or Ray on 9547 1907 for more information.
Puttin’ 4 hunger
DANDENONG 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.
Women in business
SOUTH East Business Networks (SEBN) will host its first Showcasing Women in Business breakfast for the year next month.
Guest presenters include BDC Market Intelligence founder and CEO Halinka Panzera and Children’s Court Magistrate Lesley Fleming.
– Highways, corner Princes Highway and Corrigan Road, Springvale. Friday 7 March, 7am to 9am. Tickets are $55 per person with corporate tables available for $500 for 10 people. Bookings essential. RSVP no later than Friday 28 February. Email sebn@cgd.vic.gov.au or call 8571 1576.
Dandy beach party
GINGER Jones’ rooftop will host a beach party for the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
The café will transport guests to beach house holidays past.
– Ginger Jones, 175 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 7 March, 6pm to 10.30pm. Tickets are $70, including food, beer, wine, soft drink and an aqua cocktail. Bookings essential. Call Drum Theatre on 8571 1377 or visit www.drumtheatre.com.au
Show on track
THE annual Model Train Show is coming to Springvale for the Labour Day weekend.
It’s one of the state’s largest railway model exhibitions and features stalls selling DVDs, carriages, tracks, buildings and more.
– Sandown Park Racecourse, 591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale. Saturday 8 March, 10am to 6pm, Saturday 9 March, 10am to 5pm and Monday 10 March, 10am to 4pm. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 for kids aged four to 15 years and free for children aged under four. Visit www.aep.org.au for more information.
Noble Park problems
NOBLE Park Community Action forum discusses local issues and concerns each month.
– Rooms three and four, Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18 to 32 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Second Wednesday of each month, 6pm. Visit www.nobleparkcommunityactionforum.com for more information.
Connection to country
DIRTSONG is a powerful musical journey through Australia’s cultural heartland and an uplifting voice of connection to country.
It features songs performed in 11 Aboriginal languages, set against a backdrop of imagery and text.
– Dirtsong. Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 13 March, 8pm to 9.20pm. Tickets are $30 to $35. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au
Community clean-up
CLEAN graffiti from Hemmings Park alongside City of Greater Dandenong, Victoria Police and Neighbourhood Watch.
The event’s designed to boost pride, help people make new community connections and provide advice on safety issues and initiatives.
There’ll be kids’ activities and a barbecue lunch.
– Hemmings Park, Princes Highway, Dandenong (next to The Castle). Saturday 15 March, 10am to 2pm.
Free family fun
ST JAMES’S Anglican Church will host a free family fun day during its 150th birthday celebrations.
Activities will include rides, handcrafts, an animal farm, face painting, refreshments and more.
– St James’ Anglican Church, Langhorne Street, Dandenong (opposite the police station). Saturday 15 March, 10am to 2pm. Visit www.stjamesdandenong.com for more information.
Health and well-being
SPORTSFEST will focus on healthy eating, activity and lifestyle choices and connect people with local sporting groups.
Make pedal-powered smoothies with the Bike’n’Blend machine, hit the mobile skate park, take a stroll with the walking group, or catch up with basketball stars.
– SportsFest. Ross Reserve, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Sunday 16 March, 10.30am to 2.30pm.
Fun in the park
TAKE a guided tour around Tatterson Park in Keysborough to learn about local flora and fauna, particularly nocturnal animals.
A sausage sizzle at the playground will follow.
– Tatterson Park, Cheltenham Road, Keysborough. Thursday 20 March, 6pm to 8pm. Bookings essential. Call 8571 1702.
Shorts celebrate cultures
THE Greater Dandenong Film Festival is back, with the theme Adventures in Cultural Diversity.
It will celebrate the diverse experiences of people from different ethnic, religious and cultural backgrounds through short films.
Submissions are open for short films of all genres.
– Readings Cinema, Dandenong Plaza Shopping Centre, corner McCrae and Foster streets, Dandenong. Thursday 20 March, 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Call Timmah Ball on 8571 5253 for more information.
Health for blokes
THE first Bloke’s Day Out event will be held in Springvale.
The Australian Street Rod Federation event aims to proactively support men’s health, with free health checks alongside a car show and other activities.
All money raised will be donated to men’s health services providers.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591 to 659 Princes Highway, Springvale. Sunday 23 March, 10am to 3pm. Entry is $5 for adults and free for children aged under 16. Call Steve Bridges on 0407 498 400 or John Jennings on 0408 546 420 for more information.
Enviro awareness
FOTHERINGHAM Reserve environmental awareness days are held on the fourth Sunday of every second month.
Activities include water watch, planting indigenous seedlings, weed control, seed collecting, nature walks and barbecues.
– Fotheringham Reserve, Pyke Steet, Dandenong. Sunday 23 March, 10am to noon.
Spirit of Africa
ASANTI Dance Theatre is premiering new work Mumo in Dandenong.
It explores Mumo – or ’spirit’ – and draws on stories, myths and legends from African culture.
Traditional African, contemporary, hip hop and acrobatic dance moves fuse with live music.
– Mumo. Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 27 March, 8pm to 9pm, and Friday 28 March, 2pm and 8pm. Tickets are from $25 to $32.50. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au
