Refugee week
DANDENONG is celebrating Refugee Week with a panel of guest speakers that will discuss asylum seeker and refugee health and wellbeing, legislative changes and advocacy.
Panellists include solicitor at Refugee and Immigration Legal Centre Sally Szmerling, manager at Monash Health Jacquie McBride and Cultural Liaison from the City of Greater Dandenong Mustafa Najib. The event is free.
– Dandenong Library, Level 2, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Friday 19 June 12pm to 1pm. For further information contact 8571 1000.
Trivia night
SPRINGVALE Multicultural Men’s Shed is raising money through a fun and games trivia night.
– Springvale Uniting Church, corner of Albert and Balmoral Avenue, Springvale. Friday 19 June, 6.30pm to 10.30pm. BYO food and drink. Cost $12 per head. Call Roz on 0417 053 612 for more information.
Dinner date
JOIN the Dandenong Evening VIEW Club which supports The Smith Family and be a part of its Learning for Life program.
– Dandenong RSL, 44-50 Clow Street, Dandenong, Tuesday 7 July at 7pm. New members welcome. For details contact Brigitte on 9795 1222.
Beyond borders screening
THE stories of refugees and asylum seekers will be shown on the big screen in the Dandenong Civic Square.
The Many Australian Photographer Group have collaborated with refugees and asylum seekers who have come to Australia from countries such as Burma, Afghanistan, Vietnam, Jordan, Colombia, Iran and Somalia.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Saturday 20 June, 11am to noon. For more information email Rodney Dekker on rodneydekker@gmail.com.
After school activities
ART classes for kids offer a chance for children to explore their inner world of thoughts and feelings through art making in a fun class.
Painting, pastels on paper, creative writing, collage, sculpture, movement and music are all a part of the program.
– Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 34 Oak Avenue. Mondays during school term, 4pm to 5.30pm. Cost $7.50 per session or $70 for 10 sessions. Bookings are essential. For more information call Geraldine on 97911449.
Self-defence class
THE Australian Shukokai Karate dojo club in Dandenong hosts a two-hour self-defence course with most of the proceeds going towards the Women’s Cancer Foundation.
Sensei Ennio Anselmi will take participants through real life self-defence scenarios and teach them how to properly make a fist and how to punch and block hard.
– 2/147 Greens Road, Dandenong. Thursday 18 June. Cost $25, 7pm to 9pm.
Meditate
RELAX and meditate to help reach goals.
The process to reach that goal is many and varied including progressive muscular relaxation and guided imaging, positive and self-empowering messages and self hypnoses.
The process is slow, repetitive and enjoyable with participants setting their own pace and goals.
– Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 34 Oak Avenue. Thursdays 9.30am to 10.30am or 11am to 12pm. Cost $2 per session.
Relay for Life
THE City of Greater Dandenong’s 2015 Relay for Life is already in planning and the team is hoping to get new members to raise money for the Cancer Council.
– Saturday 10 October, 3pm start to Sunday 11 October 9am finish. Ross Reserve Athletics Track, Memorial Drive, Noble Park.
Stitching our Stories
ASYLUM seekers and refugees attending Wellsprings for Women used printed patterns, textures and text to create a book that reflects on their past and helps them take charge of their story, culture and future education.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. 1 to 29 May, 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and noon to 4pm on the first Sunday of the month. Email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au or call 9793 4511 for more information.
Trivia night
THE Hallam Community Learning Centre is holding a trivia night to raise funds to replace the dilapidated kids cubby house.
Expect trivia, games, prizes and auctions, BYO nibbles and drinks. Tickets cost $10 per head.
– Hallam Community Learning Centre, 56 Kays Avenue, Hallam. 6.30pm start til late. Saturday 20 June. Contact 9703 1688 for more information.
Grief support
KEYSBOROUGH Learning Centre will host Rainbows for the Children of Australia’s after school program to help kids deal with life traumas such as death and divorce.
– Keysborough Learning Centre, 402 Corrigan Road, Keysborough. Tuesdays during terms two and four, 4.30pm to 5.30pm. Bookings are essential. Register interest on 9798 7005, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.
Ballroom dancing
JOIN in the social mixed styles of ballroom dancing at the Burden Park Bowling Club.
There’s ballroom dancing every Monday from 6.30pm to 10pm, and every fifth Saturday there’s dancing from 1pm to 5pm and ballroom from 8pm to 11pm.
BYO supper, drinks and glasses.
– Burden Park Bowling Club, corner Heatherton and Springvale roads, Springvale South. Mondays are $5 per person and Saturdays are $8 per person. Phone June on 9798 1784 or Ray on 9547 1907 for more information.
Library Toddler Time
THESE free sessions are designed to help children aged two to three to develop their imagination and vocabulary and find a love for books and reading.
Toddler Time also helps carers to learn songs, finger plays and nursery rhymes to enjoy at home.
– Springvale Library, 411 Springvale Road, Springvale, and Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, on Mondays at 10.30am. Bookings are not required. The sessions don’t run on school or public holidays. Phone 1300 630 920 for more information.
Healthy and deadly
YOUNG people can learn about looking after themselves and their mob, meet new people, learn skills, connect with their culture and more at this Koorie program. It’s for ages 14 to 21 and food is provided.
– YStop Dandenong, 39a Clow Street, opposite Dandenong Market. Tuesdays, 4pm to 6.30pm. Phone Youth Services on 9793 2155 for more information.
The Social Knitwork
KNITTERS and those who want to learn the craft can join the Social Knitwork each Wednesday morning.
Make new friends while developing skills and sharing patterns and stories.
– Dandenong Library, level two, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays, 10.30am to noon. No bookings required.
