Football fever
A GIANT soccer ball jumping castle is on its way to Dandenong Civic Centre.
The World Cup-themed event for kids will also feature inflatable goals and activities – trialled by mayor Jim Memeti last week.
– Dandenong Civic Centre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Thursday 10 July, noon to 5pm.
Green thumbs
SPRINGVALE Garden Club’s July guest speaker is Tek Marko, who’ll talk about aloe and rare bulbs.
New members are made most welcome.
– Springvale Senior Citizens Hall, The Crescent, Springvale. Wednesday 16 July. 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The $2 entry includes supper, door prizes and trading table. Call Cheryl Johnson on 9551 3197 for more information.
My Story – Our Future
A NEW exhibition at Heritage Hill is showcasing Dandenong Koorie Youth Group’s creativity, language and culture.
The exhibition is in its third consecutive year, and builds confidence and pride in the young artists as they transition to young adults and form tomorrow’s leaders.
There’ll be an opening event to celebrate the work that will include a welcome to country and light refreshments.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday 14 July at 5.30pm. RSVP is essential for the launch. Call 9793 4511. The exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and noon to 4pm Sundays.
Tea for a cause
A KEYSBOROUGH hairdresser is holding a morning tea to help some of Thailand’s most vulnerable people get a new lease on life.
Carmela Ercolano will travel to Thailand on 8 August to deliver wheelchairs to four people she met on her previous holiday there.
She’s raised $600 for her project so far and needs about $1600 to buy four wheelchairs.
– 1 Scotch Avenue, Keysborough. Sunday 13 July, 11am to 2pm. Email wheelchair4mohammed@gmail.com to support the cause.
DIY workshops
GREATER Dandenong Bunnings stores will hold free DIY workshops each weekend in July.
Flooring, home organisation and tree planting will be among workshop topics for adults. Workshops for kids will cover game making, mosaics and more.
– Saturdays and Sundays throughout July. Adult DIY workshops are held at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. Kids DIY workshop times vary so contact the store. Bunnings Warehouse Dandenong, 1-5 Gladstone Road, 8792 9500. Bunnings Warehouse Keysborough, corner Springvale and Cheltenham roads, 8796 7100. Bunnings Warehouse Springvale, 849 Princes Highway, 8558 7300.
Cemetery tour
FRIENDS of Dandenong Cemeteries lead people through the Dandenong Community Cemetery to discover the final resting places of many Dandenong pioneers.
Participants can hear 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 20 July, 2pm. The $15 fee includes a light afternoon tea. Bookings are essential. Call 0411 399 449.
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.
The Mad Hatter
ALICE in Wonderland characters will present tricks and illusions that will have audience members’ heads spinning.
The free event is for children aged five and over. No booking is required.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Thursday 10 July, 11am. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff for more information.
The Magic Flute
A NEW production of Mozart’s The Magic Flute will premiere at the Drum Theatre.
There’ll be a live chamber orchestra and a cast of Australia’s leading singers.
The Magic Flute is a quest for wisdom and true love and this new adaption takes inspiration from the movies and is set in 1930s Egypt.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July, 7.30pm. The show is 160 minutes with interval. Tickets are from $40. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 9771 6666.
Sunday market
THE Springvale Rotary Sunday Market is held on the second Sunday of each month.
It features trash, treasure, plants, clothes, tools and more.
Stalls are $10 and bookings are essential. Public entry is a gold coin donation.
– Opposite Sandown Park Railway Station, corner Lightwood and Lawn roads, Springvale. Sunday 13 July, 8am to 2pm.
Emerge concert
DRUM Theatre will host acts from around the world in an energetic, colourful and emotion-charged rollercoaster that incorporates local performers sharing their stories through music, dance and humour.
The foyer will be transformed with workshops, activities, exhibitions and tasting plates from local restaurants.
Free tickets are available to City of Greater Dandenong residents but bookings are essential.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 19 July, 2pm. Call 8571 1666.