DANDENONG Park will come to life with music, joy and the glow of candles.
There’ll be traditional and contemporary carols, Santa, the great Christmas Gizmo, live performances from children’s entertainment group The Workers, Justin Peters, Emma Kate Tobia, and Rebekah and Thomas Parker and more.
Food will be available on-site. Bring a rug, candle and picnic.
– Dandenong Park, Pultney Street, Dandenong. Friday 19 December, 7.30pm. Entry is free.
Human rights
THE free inaugural Human Rights Oration, Women and Minorities event will recognise Human Rights Day.
Zakia Baig is the Australian Hazara Women’s Network president and recently returned from a UN-sponsored Minorities Fellowship Programme in Geneva, Switzerland.
She’ll speak about the issues and rights of minorities globally and within Australia.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Monday 15 December, 1.30pm to 3pm. Call Biljana Komnenovic on 8571 5265 for more information.
Boxing Day races
RACEGOERS can pack up their Christmas leftovers from the fridge and have a picnic on the lawn at this relaxed race day.
There’ll be the Christmas Stakes, rides, craft, plus cricket-themed activities and competitions for young and old.
– Sandown Racecourse, 591-659 Princes Highway, Springvale. Friday 26 December, 11am to 6pm. Entry is $10 for adults, $5 concession and free for children aged 13 years and under.
Carols in the wards
CHRISTMAS carols will be performed by a roving choir and musicians at Monash Health hospitals next week. The event was organised by Aus Audio Visual Arts Association.
– Monash Medical Centre, Clatyon, Monday 15 December, 6.30pm; Casey Hospital, Berwick, Tuesday 16 December, 6.30pm and Dandenong Hospital, Wednesday, 17 November, 6.30pm. Details from Vajira Ekanayake, 9795 7445 or 0401 178 436.
Market Christmas fun
THERE’LL be free Christmas activities and entertainment at Dandenong Market.
– Dandenong Market, Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Sundays 14 and 21 December, all day.
Christmas in the square
ELVES, reindeer, Tubby the Christmas Robot, The Great Christmas Gizmo will roam Dandenong Civic Square and Lonsdale Street with festive activities.
– Fridays 12 and 19 December, 11am to 1pm. Saturday 13 December, 11am to 3pm. Saturday 20 December, 11am to 2pm. Monday 22 December, 11am to 1pm. Tuesday 23 December, 11am to 2pm. Wednesday 24 December, 11am to 1pm.
Noble Park gets festive
ELVES, reindeer and the Three Kings will spread Christmas cheer in Douglas Street, Noble Park.
– Friday 12 December, 2pm to 4pm. Friday 19 December, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Monday 22 December, 11am to 3pm. Tuesday 23 December, 2pm to 4pm. Wednesday 24 December, 11am to 1pm.
Springvale’s Christmas spirit
THE Great Christmas Gizmo, Santa on stilts, elves, reindeer and Tubby the Christmas Robot will get Springvale celebrating the festive season.
– Friday 12 December, 11am to 2pm. Saturday 13 December, 11am to 2pm. Friday 19 December, 11am to 3pm. Saturday 20 December, 11am to 2pm. Monday 22 December, 2.30pm to 4.30pm. Tuesday 23 December, 11am to 2pm. Wednesday 24 December, 2pm to 4pm.
Orchids on show
DANDENONG and District Orchid Club holds monthly meetings with orchid flowering competitions, guest speakers, potting demonstrations and plant sales.
Attendees can socialise after the meeting with a light supper provided.
– Agricultural Society Admin Building, Greaves Reserve, Dandenong. Friday 12 December, 7pm for an 8pm start. Membership is $20 per year. Meetings are not held in January. Email menew@bigpond.com or call Ron Daniell on 0412 188 263 for more information.
New Year’s Eve in the Square
INAUGURAL New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Dandenong Civic Square will include music, performances, games and a grand fireworks finale.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 31 December, 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Call 8571 1000 for more information.
Nine by five art
THE 9 by 5 exhibition commemorates a display held in Melbourne in 1889 which introduced the Impressionist style to Australia on nine by five inch cigar box lids. This exhibition will feature work from 103 artists.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. 5 to 20 December.
Nativity time
THIS annual traditional Christmas Nativity scene is growing each year.
– St Elizabeth’s Parish, 107 Bakers Road, Dandenong North. Until 11 January. Free. For opening hours or to arrange a tour, visit stelizabethsparish.org.au, call Cheryl Hayes on 9795 6217 or call Wilson Fernandez on 0428 927 110.
Make a wreath
SISTER artist duo Clare and Kate James will demonstrate making wreaths and Christmas decorations. All materials will be provided.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 9 December, 10am to 1pm. Participation is $10. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Rock, roll and swing
TOP Cat classes for beginner and intermediate dancers are held every Tuesday evening.
– Edinburgh Hall, corner Edinburgh and Dowling streets, Springvale North. Tuesday 16 December, 7.30pm to 10pm. Classes are $12 each or $15 for multiple classes on the same night. Call Lou Mingaars on 0413 393 345 or email louis_mingaars@msn.com for more information.
Interfaith Network Tour
THIS tour will visit places of worship across Greater Dandenong.
– Wednesday 10 December, 8.45am to 3pm. The $25 ticket includes transport plus the Many Faiths, One People booklet. Bookings are essential. Visit www.interfaithnetwork.org.au or call Helen Heath on 9546 8441 for more information.
Springvale Rotary Sunday Market
SPRINGVALE Rotary holds a market on the second Sunday of each month. There’s trash and treasure, plants, clothes, tools and more.
– Opposite Sandown Park Railway Station, corner Lightwood and Lawn roads, Springvale. Sunday 14 December, 8am to 2pm. Stalls are $10. Bookings are essential. Public entry is a gold coin donation.
Art from the heart
A NEW exhibition is featuring artists from the Victorian Multi Ethnic Slavic Welfare Association. Art From the Heart illustrates different emotional, visual and personal depictions from each artist.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street. Until 14 December. Email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au 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.
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.
