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.
Botanical photo printing
ARTIST Kitty Owens will lead a botanical photo printing workshop for grown-ups.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 28 October, 10am to 1pm. The cost is $10 per person. Places are limited. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511.
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.
Cultural Threads
ARTIST Adrienne Kneebone will run a three-hour Indigenous weaving workshop during the Victorian Seniors Festival.
– Cooinda Cente, 587 Springvale Road, Springvale. Friday 10 October, 1pm to 3.30pm. Participation is $10 per person, including materials. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 5555.
Try tennis
REKINDLE a love for tennis or learn to play at this Victorian Seniors Festival event.
Racquets and balls will be supplied on the day and refreshments will be provided.
– Noble Park Tennis Club, Ellendale Road, Noble Park. Friday 10 October, 10am to 2pm. The cost is $5 per person. No bookings are required. Call Suzanne on 0419 001 138 for more information.
Zumba Gold
EXPERIENCE an exciting hour of body energising and mind inspiring moves, specially designed at a pace suitable for seniors.
The free event is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.
– Jan Wilson Community Centre, Halton Road, Noble Park North. Friday 10 October, 9.30am to 10.30am. Bookings are essential. Call 9795 9279.
Try croquet
THIS come and try day is part of the Victorian Seniors Festival.
Croquet is a social sport suitable for all ages and fitness levels.
– Dandenong Croquet Club, 37 Pultney Street, Dandenong. Saturday 11 October, 10am to 2.30pm. Entry is a gold coin donation. Call 9792 9004 for more information.
Mayor’s free family fun day
CITY of Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti will host a free afternoon of carnival fun with free activities, entertainment and performances.
There’ll be a free sausage sizzle (Halal with vegetarian options), a screening of Despicable Me 2 from 3pm, a petting zoo, jumping castle and more.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 18 October, noon to 4.30pm.
Tales from the sky
BASED on his two best-selling books Flak and Fly, well-known Australian writer and performer Michael Veitch takes on the extraordinary role of former WWII airmen by recounting the extraordinary – and largely untold – stories of combat in the air war of 1939-45.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 25 October, 2pm and 8pm. The show is 65 minutes with no interval. Tickets are priced from $30. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666 for more information or to book tickets.
Art show
SEE 260 artworks by local adults and children at the annual Noble Park Community Centre Art Show.
Entrants, including from seven schools, five aged-care facilities and three all-ability facilities, have created photography, oil, acrylic and watercolour paintings.
– Noble Park Community Centre, Ross Reserve, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Saturday 11 October and Sunday 12 October, 10am to 4pm.
Learn at KLC
KEYSBOROUGH Learning Centre has new courses in term four, including Customer Service Training, Pracsoft Medical Reception Software, and Introduction to Hairdressing.
– Keysborough Learning Centre, 402 Corrigan Road, Keysborough. 9798 7005.
Ageing with purpose
NOBLE Park Community Action Forum (NPCAF) will present a free event about ageing during Seniors Week.
The interactive session will talk about the need for older people to age with dignity, grace and purpose.
– Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18-22 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 8 October, 4pm to 6pm. Bookings are essential. Call 0417 053 612 or 0414 274 878.
Guided Imagery Meditation
TAKE an opportunity to deeply relax and be still by focusing on a journey that harmonises body and mind.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays, 2.30pm to 3pm, followed by a cuppa until 4pm. A gold coin donation is welcome. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664 for more information.
Green thumbs
SPRINGVALE Garden Club’s October guest speaker will be Clive Larkman from Larkman Nurseries.
He’ll talk about cooking with herbs and have herbs to sell.
– Springvale Senior Citizens Hall, The Crescent, Springvale. Wednesday 15 October. Doors open 7.30pm for an 8pm start. The $2 fee includes supper, door prizes and trading table. Call Cheryl Johnson on 9551 3197 for more information.
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.
Turn around young lives
HAND Brake Turn is holding a dinner to raise funds for new tools and equipment, heating for the workshops and updated training manuals.
The Concern Australia program gives disengaged youths a start in the automotive industry.
There’ll be door prizes, music from writer, singer and producer Ceeko, and a guest speaker.
– Dandenong Club, 1579 Heatherton Road, Dandenong. 24 October, 7pm. Tickets are $50. Call 9793 1466 for more information.
Cemetery tour
EXPLORE Greater Dandenong’s history on a free Springvale Botanical Cemetery walking tour.
Historical and cultural heritage manager Celestina Sagazio will guide the 75-minute step back in time.
– Springvale Botanical Cemetery, 600 Princes Highway, Springvale. Meet Dr Sagazio at the cafe. Saturday 11 October, 2pm. The 75-minute tour is free of charge. Call 8558 8278 for more information.
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. 10 October to 9 November. The exhibition is open to the public Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and noon to 4pm Sundays. There’ll be an opening event to celebrate the work on Friday 10 October at 6pm. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Market Sunday
THE Springvale Rotary Sunday Market is held on the second Sunday of each month.
There’s trash, treasure, plants, clothes, tools and more.
– Opposite Sandown Park Railway Station, corner Lightwood and Lawn roads, Springvale. Sunday 12 October, 8am to 2pm. Public entry is a gold coin donation. Stalls cost $10.
African Food Tour
EXPERIENCE the warm hospitality of African traders as they prepare a feast with spices and share how traditions have been passed down for generations.
The walking tour takes about two hours.
– Central Dandenong (location advised upon booking). Thursday 16 October, 11am to 1pm. The $45 cost includes tastings and meal. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1377.
Market night
ST Elizabeth’s Primary School’s annual market night will include jewellery, clothing, crafts, cakes, skin care, food and drinks, raffles and more.
– St Elizabeth’s Primary School, 111 Bakers Road, Dandenong North. Friday 17 October, 7pm to 9.30pm. Free entry.
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.
Music for seniors
ENJOY music in the gardens at Heritage Hill on the third Mondays of October and November.
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 20 October with Rob Foenander, 1.30pm to 3pm. Monday 17 November with The Templestowe Entertainers, 1.30pm to 3pm. Book on 9793 4511.
Springvale VIEW Club
SPRINGVALE VIEW (Voice, Interests and Education of Women) Club meets on the fourth Monday of each month for dinner and to encourage socialisation and support.
– Sandown Greyhounds, View Road, Springvale. Monday 27 October, 6.30pm. Call publicity officer Carolyn Scott on 9700 1976 or 9791 5161 for more information.
Orchid advice
DANDENONG and District Orchid Club meets monthly, with orchid flowering competitions, guest speakers, potting demonstrations, plant sales and more.
– Agricultural Society Admin Building, Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Friday 10 October, 7pm for an 8pm start. Meeting entry is free. Membership is $20 per year. Email menew@bigpond.com or call Ron Daniell on 0412 188 263 for more information.
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.
