What\’s On
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 Park
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.
Market Christmas fun
THERE’LL be free Christmas activities and entertainment at Dandenong Market.
– Dandenong Market, Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Sunday 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.
– Friday 19 December, 11am to 1pm. 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 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 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.
Stayin’ Alive
THE Australian Bee Gees Show is returning for a new show, The Past and Present Tour.
It looks at the careers of The Brothers Gibb through song and multimedia and will feature two parts and costume changes defining the eras.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 25 April. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
New Year 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. Until 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.
Strategic Hot Mess
HERITAGE Hill artists-in-residence Tessa Broadby and Ashlea English will seek genuine connections with people aged 15 to 30 years through guided movement, interactive games, meditation and conversation at a workshop.
Their exhibition will be part exhibition, part performance, part discussion and will run from 19 January to 13 February.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Saturday 17 January. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511. Email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au for more information.
Dinner with a VIEW
SPRINGVALE Voice, Interests and Education of Women (VIEW) Club meets on the fourth Monday of the month for dinner and to encourage socialisation and support.
VIEW fund-raises for The Smith Family. New members are welcome.
– Sandown Greyhounds, View Road, Springvale. Monday 26 January, 6.30pm. Call Carolyn Scott on 9700 1976 or 9791 5161 for more information.
Australia Day Festival
THERE’LL be live music, roving performances, food and market stalls, workshops and games.
Highlights will include a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, flag-raising, low-cost rides, fire pits for toasting marshmallows, a native Australian animals show and display, storytelling, an aerobatic display from the Royal Australian Air Force Roulettes and more. A fireworks display will conclude the day.
People who ride their bicycle to the event will receive two free ride tokens, and there’ll be free valet bike parking.
– Dandenong Park, Pultney Street, Dandenong. Monday 26 January, 3pm to 9.30pm.
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.
– Phone 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. Phone 8571 1702 for more information.
