Origami for wishes
CITY of Greater Dandenong plans to hold workshops to fold 1001 cranes filled with prayers and wishes.
The installation will be displayed at the Australia Day event in Dandenong Park on 26 January before moving to exhibition boxes outside Dandenong Library.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Monday 19 January, 10.30am. Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday 19 January, 12.30pm. Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 20 January, 10.30am. Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 20 January, 12.30pm.
Bowling barefoot
BAREFOOT bowling sessions are returning to Noble Park.
Bring friends and enjoy prizes, drinks at bar prices and a sausage sizzle.
– Noble Park Bowls Club, 46 to 56 Moodemere Street, Noble Park. Fridays from 23 January, 6pm. The $7 fee includes tuition and equipment. Call Reg Vernon on 0428 647 540 or email rwdlvernon@bigpond.com.
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.
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 aerial show from the 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.
A Strategic Hot Mess
THIS free Tessa Broadby and Ashlea English exhibition will be part display, part performance and part discussion.
There’ll be guided tasks, games, scores and more with these Heritage Hill artists-in-residence.
– Heritage Hill, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. 19 January to 13 February. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, and the first Sunday of the month, noon to 4pm.
A hapless hero
CAPTAIN Ace is a hapless super hero who wants to save the world but doesn’t know how.
Perhaps his young audience can help him out?
This free school holiday activity is for children aged four to eight.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale. Thursday 22 January, 11am. No bookings required. Call 1300 630 920 or see library staff for more information.
Rangers take on Spirit
THE Dandenong Rangers boasts some of the most talented female basketballers in the world.
They’ll play the Bendigo Spirit, Adelaide Lightning, West Coast Waves and Townsville Fire at home in the coming month.
– Dandenong Stadium, 270 Stud Road, Dandenong. Friday 16 January, 7.30pm. Friday 23 January, 7.30pm. Saturday 31 January, 3pm. Sunday 15 February, 5pm. Tickets are $14 for adults, $7 for children and concession and $35 for families of two adults and three children. Call Dana Ivanovich on 9794 7192 or email events@dandenongstadium.com.au for more information.
Nature opens up
ALEX Wilkie Nature Reserve is hosting free open days where park rangers are available for guided tours.
– Alex Wilkie Nature Reserve, Mackay Street, Springvale South. Fridays 23 and 30 January and 6, 13, 20 and 27 February, 9am to 3pm. Sunday 15 February, 10am. Bookings are essential. Call 8571 1702 for more information.
Splash out at Oasis
DANDENONG Oasis’s open day will be filled with activities for the whole family.
– Dandenong Oasis, corner Heatherton Road and Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Saturday 24 January, 1pm to 4pm. Normal entrance fees apply. Visit www.dandenongoasis.com.au for more information.
Market in your diary
SPRINGVALE Rotary Sunday Market is held on the second and fourth Sundays of each month.
There’s trash and treasure, plants, clothes, tools and more.
– Opposite Sandown Park Railway Station, corner Lightwood and Lawn roads, Springvale. 8am to 2pm. Public entry is a gold coin. Stall bookings are $10. Call Loc Lam on 0425 806 006 for more information.
Give netball a go
THIS come and try day is for anyone aged 12 and under who wants to learn more about playing netball.
The event is free and no booking is required.
– Gloria Pyke Netball and Sports Complex, Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 27 January, 3.30pm to 5.30pm.
Neighbourhood Watch
COME to watch or have a say at the next Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch committee meeting.
The group aims to prevent crime and strengthen community ties.
– Rooms three and four, Paddy O’Donoghue Centre, 18 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 4 February, 7.30pm. Call president Dawn Vernon on 0407 325 030 or email president@nhwgreaterdandenong.org for more information.
Art on show
GABI Mika-McNaughton’s new exhibition 42.65528° S , 146.58750° E will feature forest landscape paintings.
There’s an opening night event from 6.30pm on Thursday 5 February.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. 5 to 28 February. Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
Searching for truth
THE Befuddled exhibition will feature new collage works by Eddie Botha.
He was born and raised in South Africa and is trying to find his place in his new Australian home.
There’s an opening night event from 6.30pm on Thursday 5 February.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. 5 to 28 February. Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
Waitangi Day
THIS celebration is not only about the Waitangi treaty signing in 1840, which guaranteed New Zealand’s Maori people land rights, it is also about the country’s culture and will feature performances, food and drink stalls, rides and more.
– Hemmings Park, 61-75 Princes Highway, Dandenong. 7 February, 9am to 7pm. Entry is free but there is a charge for some rides.
Year of the Goat
THE Springvale Lunar New Year Festival attracts more than 60,000 people and will feature firecrackers, lion and dragon dances, food and beverage stations, art and craft stalls, amusement rides and more.
– Buckingham and Balmoral avenues, Springvale. Sunday 15 February, 10am to 10pm. Call City of Greater Dandenong on 8571 1000 for more information.
All about orchids
THE Dandenong and District Orchid Club welcomes novice to advanced growers and presents guest speakers on various topics.
– Dandenong and District Agricultural Society administration building, Greaves Reserve, Bennet Street, Dandenong. Friday 13 February, 7pm for an 8pm start. Entry is free. Membership is $20 per year. Email menew@bigpond.com or call Ron Daniell on 0412 188 263 for more information.
Lions Summer Festival
THIS event will feature live music, cultural performances, a talent quest, multicultural food stall, rides and more.
A highlight will be a fireworks display on Saturday night.
– Burden Park, corner Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale South. Friday 20 February, 5pm to 11pm. Saturday 21 February, 11am to 11pm. Sunday 22 February, 11am to 4pm. Call Ashley Lewis on 0418 380 555 for more information.
Vietnamese TET Festival
MORE than 20,000 people will celebrate the Vietnamese New Year with live music, lion dancing, a bonsai exhibition, games and carnival rides, traditional delicacies and fireworks.
– Sandown Racecourse, Princes Highway, Springvale. 21 to 22 February, 11am to 11pm. Entry fees will apply.
