Community calendar

Photographer's choice, artist Rebekah Cole with her artwork. (Damjan Janevski)

Want your event listed? Community Calendar is made available free of charge to not-for-profit organisations to keep the public informed of special events and activities. Send item details to Star Weekly Community Calendar, Corner Thomsons Road and Keilor Park Drive, Keilor Park, 3042, or email to westeditorial@starweekly.com.au by 9am Wednesday the week prior to publication.

Keilor probus

The Keilor Combined Probus Club is back in business following the lockdowns. The group meets the third Monday of every month at Keilor Pub. New members welcome.

■ Steve, 0408 193 793, or Keith, 0409 494 801.

Women’s Day

The Women’s Support Network will be launched at an International Women’s Day event in Brimbank on Tuesday, March 8 between 10am and 12pm at Deer Park Hall, Station Rd, Deer Park. All women are welcome to attend, with bookings open until March 3

www.trybooking.com/BXMGS or info@wsn.org.au

Writers and Readers Festival

The Brimbank Writers and Readers Festival (BWRF) is an annual event that encourages a love of reading and literature, celebrates creativity and diversity, and promotes lifelong learning in Brimbank. The free festival which runs between March 17 and 26 includes workshops, author talks, panel discussions, writing, storytelling and more.

www.brimbanklibraries.vic.gov.au/writersfestival

Women’s group

Duke Street Community Centre has set up a women’s social group to give people a place to interact. The group will run every second Friday, from 1pm, as a way to connect with other women in the community in a safe, fun and social way. It will be developed to suit the needs of the participants and will be in a casual setting.

■ 9311 9973

Football

​​Taylors Lakes Football Club is seeking male and female players for all age groups from under-8s to under-18.5s. To be eligible, children need to be born between July 1, 2003, and April 30, 2015.

■ Julie, 0409 259 389

Deer Park probus

The Deer Park Combined Probus Club meets on the second Wednesday of each month at The Deer Park Club, 780 Ballarat Road, from 10am. New members and visitors welcome.

■ Don, 0409 191 580

Garden expo

The Whittlesea Garden Expo is on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 at Whittlesea Showgrounds, Whittlesea-Yea Road, Whittlesea, 9am-3pm. Featuring stallholders, presentations, entertainment and kids’ activities. Cost: $8 for adults (prebooked) or $10 at the gate.

■https://bit.ly/3rMNvfp

Rotary club

The Sunbury Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at the Sunbury Bowling Club from 7pm.

sunburyrotary@gmail.com

Ladies probus

The Woodlands Ladies Probus Club of Sunbury meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Sunbury Bowling Club at 9.45 am. The club is based on fun, friendship and fellowship and enjoys monthly outings, an annual trip away and a lot of fun meetings.

■ Val, 0418138214.

Sunbury Combined Probus Club

The Sunbury Combined Probus Club meets every fourth Thursday of the month at the Sunbury Football Social Club at 10am. Visitors and new Members welcome.

■ Carmel , 0416 477 271.

Toastmasters

Sunbury & Macedon Ranges Toastmasters helps its members develop their public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month, from 7.20-9.30pm, at the Sunbury Senior Citizens Hall.

vpm-4185@toastmastersclubs.org

Garden club

The Sunbury Garden Club meets on the first Tuesday of every month. There is a guest speaker at each meeting, which starts at 7.30pm at the Sunbury Football Club.

■ Cheryl, 9744 1663

Senior citizens club

Senior citizens are welcome to visit the Sunbury Senior Citizens’ Club on Mondays and Fridays, from 10am-3pm at 8 O’Shannassy Street. A variety of activities are offered – carpet bowls, cards, snooker, darts, board games or just a cup of coffee and a chat. If you’re 55 years or older and would like to meet new people, come along.

■ Frank, 0423 392 884

Community outings

Hikoi Brothers is for men of all ages in the western suburbs. The group meets fortnightly on Sundays for walks, talking about a range of topics while enjoying the different tracks in Wyndham.

ow.ly/JpJR50HOVuN

Join Landcare

The Friends of Presidents Park meet on the first Thursday of the month, 10am–noon. This is a new conservation group. No prior knowledge required. Meet in the carpark near the river and Shaws Bridge.

admin@werribeeriver.org.au

Werribee River lovers required

A new family-friendly conservation group is forming to support the Werribee River in central Werribee. The next event is Tuesday, March 8, 5.30–7pm, river end of Edgar Street, Werribee.

maryann.weatherill@werribeeriver.org.au

U3A Werribee

U3A Werribee Region is a Not-for-profit organisation consisting of semi-retired and retired residents of Wyndham. It conducts a variety of weekly classes run by volunteers.

■ Rick, 0402299220

Education volunteers

EdConnect Australia is on the search for Wyndham residents to mentor and volunteer with students for the 2022 school year. The charity places volunteers in local schools to help improve the lives of vulnerable young people and equip them with life skills. EdConnect Australia offers training and support to its volunteers.

www.edconnectaustralia.org.au/volunteer/ or 1800 668 550

AL-ANON meets

AL-ANON provides support for families and loved ones living with alcoholics and problem drinkers. The group meets Mondays at St Thomas Anglican Church foyer, 117 Synnot Street, Werribee, from 7.30pm, and on Tuesdays at the St Mary’s Tennis Club rooms, 204 Grimshaw Street, Greensborough.

Tutoring program

Youth Services and Equal Ed are providing free online tutoring classes for young people aged 12 to 18 years old. The Academic Homework Support Program is on Wednesdays, 4-5pm, from the second week of each school term in 2022. All sessions are supervised by Wyndham council youth services staff.

youthwyndham.com/pgm-reg or Danielle Diez, 8375 2346

Free lunch and morning tea at Holy Trinity Anglican Church

The Holy Trinity Anglican Church in Williamstown will be holding a free community morning tea and lunch every Friday at the Parish Centre on Nelson Place. The morning tea starts from 10am with anyone welcome to drop in at any time. Tea and coffee will be served, alongside a variety of fun activities like knitting, board games and puzzles. The lunch will run from 12pm to 1pm, with takeaway options available. Check-in and vaccination status are required.

Computers for beginners

Williamstown Community and Education Centre is now taking enrolments for classes to help those with limited computer skills. Classes are run daily at both Joan Kirner House, Williamstown, and North Altona Library.

■Lynne or Tahlia, 9397 6168.

Knitting group

Anyone is welcome to come along to Yarraville or Footscray library for a weekly knitting group, where you can share your favourite patterns and techniques, and have a chat with like-minded people. Registrations are recommended via Eventbrite.

www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/library/Events/Knitting-Group

Poetry Group

Anyone and everyone is welcome to join Maribyrnong Libraries Poetry Group. From the comfort of your own home, you can listen to poetry and connect with your community over the phone. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read poetry before, everyone is welcome. Registrations are essential via Eventbrite.

www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/library/Events/Poetry-Group

Walking group

Altona Meadows and Newport residents are invited to take part in a Heart Foundation walking group that meets on Wednesdays and Fridays. The group walks for 60 minutes, and is a great way to socialise and get active at the same time. Members are required to register with the Heart Foundation to join.

■ Ian Watson 0411 566 862 or www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Whats-On/Altona-Meadows-and-Newport-Heart-Foundation-Walking-Groups

Williamstown Craft Market

Commonwealth Reserve comes alive on the third Sunday of the month for the Williamstown Craft Market. The market boasts more than 50 stalls showcasing everything from handmade craft, homegrown produce and food vendors. There will also be live music. From 10am-4pm.

www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Whats-On/Williamstown-Craft-Market

Conversation Café

The Conversation Café is back on at Footscray and Braybrook libraries. The Café gives people the chance to meet new people and practice English conversation skills in a relaxed and friendly environment.

www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/library/Events/Conversation-Cafe

Diabetes support group

The Westgate diabetes support group meets on the first Tuesday of every month at the Altona Bowling Club at 10am.

■ Elaine, 0415 030 996

Heritage walks

Enjoy a leisurely two-hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place.

■ John, 0418 377 336

Musicians welcome

Do you play trumpet, flute or lower brass instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join its community band. Rehearsals are held Mondays from 7.30pm at the Newport Lakes Primary School, Elizabeth Street, Newport.

■ Roger Lewis, hbcityband@gmail.com, or www.hbcb.org.au

Altona North combined probus

The Altona North combined probus club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Altona Sports Club. Includes a speaker, organised trips and outings, and a friendly atmosphere.

■ Lesley, 0414 481 442

Rotary club

Rotary Club of Point Gellibrand meets at Customs House Hotel, 161 Nelson Place, Williamstown, on the first and third Tuesday of the month from 6pm for a 6.30pm dinner meeting. Visitors welcome.

■ Pam, 0418 347 691 or rotarypointgellibrand@gmail.com

Mouth organ band

The Yarraville Mouth Organ Band meets Friday evenings at 203 Williamstown Road, Yarraville. Great music, friendly atmosphere. Everyone is welcome.

■ Heather, 9399 2190

Friendship Group

Altona Day View (Voice Interest and Education of Women) Club meets at 11am on the third Wednesday of the month at Altona RSL. The club is always open to new members, and anyone interested is encouraged to get in touch today and see what it’s all about.

■ Janet 9394 6522 or 0412 010 176.

Food handling courses

Accredited food handlers and food safety courses are being run at Melton South Community Centre on Saturday, March 5. The community centre will also be running a breadmaking for beginners workshop on Saturday March and Sunday March 6. For more information, including pricing, contact the number below.

■ 9747 8576

Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club

The Melton Valley Ladies Probus Club meets at 10am on the second Tuesday of each month at the Melton Country Club. The group is open to everyone, new and old members, to get together and discover the social aspects of the group.

■ Ann 0425705150

Singing group

Do you enjoy singing and want to meet fellow singers in your area? Join the Melton South Community Singers at the Melton South Community Centre. Rehearsals are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month.

■ Sue, 0400 082 413

Melton South Knit & Natter

All are welcome to join this social crafting group, running at the Melton South Community Centre each Monday from 10am-noon. Bring along any knitting or crochet projects and work on them while sharing tips, learning skills and catching up over a cuppa.

■ 9747 8576

Zonta club meets

Zonta is an international organisation bringing women together to support other women. The Zonta Club of Melton meets on the first Monday of each month at Melton Country Club, Reserve Road, Melton.

■ Suzanne, 0417 512 420

Mahjong group

Interested in learning to play Mahjong? The game is a tile-based game that is derived from China where it was developed in the 19th century. U3A Melton has a group who play on Tuesdays at 10am.

u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016

Melton Men’s Probus Club

The Melton Men’s Probus Club meets on the first Tuesday of each month at the Melton Dart Club, 63a Reserve Road, from 9.45am. New members and visitors welcome.

■ 9746 0271

Rose Carers Of Maddingley Park

The Rose Carers meet Wednesdays from 10am-noon at Maddingley Park, corner of Grant and Taverner streets, Bacchus Marsh, to maintain two beautiful rose gardens. New volunteers are always welcome – with or without experience.

■ Elaine Greenhall, 0418 171 119 or 0400 052 857

Melton Cycling Club

Melton Cycling club meets for regular Sunday rides. There are three different riding groups to cater for different abilities starting at 7.30am. The rides finish at Lazy Moe’s for a cuppa.

■ 0403 057 003

Melton Parkinson’s support group

The Melton Parkinson’s Support Group meets on the second Thursday of the month 10.30am – 12.30pm at Kurunjang Community Centre, 33-35 Mowbray Crescent, Kurunjang. New members and carers Welcome.

■ Helen, 0409 186 576

Melton Friendship Group

Are you single, over 55 and a resident living in or near Melton? Looking for some new friends? Then the Melton Friendship Group is the right group for you! The group meets fortnightly for coffee and chat nights and organised affordable outings and events.

■ 0406 493 734

French and Italian for over 50s

Over 50, retired, or semi-retired and wanting to learn a language? U3A Melton offers French and Italian classes for beginners and those with more advanced skills.

www.u3amelton.com or 0419 563 016