Homeopathy at Home!!!

I did this course a few years back and it was worth it!

Highly recommended!!

Free Microwave

Hello everyone.

We have a Panasonic microwave to give away... We have a built in one in our kitchen and have not used the Panasonic since moving in.. It works fine and is in great condition! 
Give me a call if you're interested.

Cheers,

Zoe 0400 200 973.  

Single Bed Wanted

We are looking for a single bed- please let us know if you have one!

Contact details:  Liz- 0439 951 000 or  liz@debase.com.au

Beds Giveaway

We have a Queen Mattress to give away.  Let us know if you want it!

We also have a fold out bed to give away- handy for camping trips/ friends visiting.

Contact details:  Liz- 0439 951 000 or  liz@debase.com.au

Housemate Wanted

Once upon a time a musician named Donald fell in love with a comedian called Liz.  Liz moved in with Don, they got married and together they lived in a big, beautiful house in Preston. But the house was a little too big for this wee couple, especially with Don and Liz going away on tours all the time.  And so they searched the land of Newlands for a prince or princess to live in their spare room!

Could it be you?  Or a friend?  Or a friend of a friend?

Here are the details:  Big room, fully furnished (lovely double bed, desk, big cupboards), $730 for single person per month (this includes all bills and internet).  Or $1000 for a couple per month.  Minimum 6 months rental (move in ASAP).  House has front/ back yards, large dining room and lounge room, lots of instruments, records and dress ups, a kitchen full of herbs and spices, bathroom, 2 loos & close to number 1 and 112 trams.

Contact details:  Liz- 0439 951 000 or  liz@debase.com.au

Local Mending Night Again Wednesday 3rd July‏

Have you got clothes/bags/buttons that would be good to fix?

You are very welcome come and mend in good company. Bring along your things to mend and the things you need to mend them.

3 McGowan Ave Preston

6.30 Optional Shared dinner (bring a dish to share)

7.15 till 8.30 Mending/Fixing

For more info or rsvp contact Cath 93546401

Scouts & Cubs - New Year Begins!

Ever thought about becoming a Scouts Leader?

The 1^st  Coburg Scout Group is located right on the beautiful Merri Creek.

Registration now open for boys and girls for Cubs (7-11 years) and Scouts (11-15) for 2013-14.

Have a look at our blog and see what fun we get up to! 

Connect with community, friends, learn bush skills, camp and most of all have fun.

http://coburgscouts.blogspot.com.au/

We are also looking for more leaders or assistant leaders – training is fully provided.

Local Music

Apartment for Short-Term Rent in Northcote/Thornbury

Thought I'd send this around in case people have friends/family/colleagues looking for a place to stay nearby, but want something roomier and more homely than a motel, that allows them to self-cater too.

Fully furnished flat in Northcote/Thornbury for short-term rent (minimum 2 nights), ideal for 'spillover' house guests and visitors to Melbourne.

Fully furnished 2-bedroom apartment with all linen, towels etc provided, and WiFi is also included. Sleeps 4, and we can also lend port-a-cot, high chairs etc. if travelling with kids

$125/night for the entire apartment, with off street parking, and 1 minute walk to the 112 tram stop, so easily connected to Coburg.

The flat is in a really good spot, close to cafes/shops and very close to public transport - 300m to both tram and train which get you into the city in 20 (train) or 30 (tram) mins.

Full details about the property are available via this link: https://www.airbnb.com.au/rooms/257149

If interested, people can book directly through me (laniewayanharris@gmail.com or 0418 552 377) rather than have to book through the air b'n'b website.

Lanie

Dear Friends of Merri Creek Regeneration Group member,

 Here is yet another extra planting that wasn’t on our original calendar.  But this one isn’t even in the May issue of Merri Growler!

This planting is at Egan Reserve Coburg, where I don’t recall working previously, but if we have, it was a long time ago.

Merri Creek Management Committee and Friends of Merri Creek invite you to help out at this event:

Community Planting & free BBQ

including Vegetarian and Halal food

Sunday 7 July, 10am-12.30pm

Egan Reserve, Rennie St Coburg (Melway 30 B3)

Plant indigenous plants to replace trees removed and pruned to keep the powerline safe.

For enquiries phone Ben at MCMC on 9380 8199 or 0421 683 926 on the day.

Funded by SP AusNet.

 We would appreciate it if you are able to put up the attached poster where interested people might see it.

 Regards,

Ray Radford,

Secretary, Friends of Merri Creek

and MCMC Admin Officer

Help Needed!

An Iranian couple and their four year old daughter moved into their new home today. 
They were released from Detention on the NO ADVANTAGE BRIDGING VISA a few weeks back to transit accommodation in  a de-commissioned age care home in the Western suburbs where they shared one room. 
There are about 40 families there sharing one kitchen.
 They had four weeks to find a house or flat on the private rental market and have been frantically looking on the internet and going out day after day in search. 
 After four weeks the rent on the room almost doubles. It is an incentive to get out.
 They found a house and were accepted. The workers ordered a taxi and sent them on their way to a house in the northern suburbs. 
They arrived to nothing. No furniture, no beds - nothing.
 The mother is pregnant with her baby expected in a week. 
The Brigidines have provided a bed and blow up mattress and blankets tonight. Otherwise they would have spent their first night on the floor.
This is happening all over Melbourne day after day. Some families have had no power for the first days because the housing worker did not tick the Direct Connect box on the real estate form. 
 New arrivals do not know these things.
 Please tell ten people you know about this and tell them to tell another ten. THEN SEE HOW YOU CAN HELP.

 If you have a Bassinet, cot , good quality pram, couch, table or chairs for this family and can deliver please email the Brigidine Asylum Seeker Project 
and gladden the hearts of this family in need.    A fridge, a television would also be grand.       EMAIL  Brigid Arthur <bssc@cyberspace.net.au>

Dont forget- spread the word - we need to change this injustice and start by giving everyone the right to work. If you have useful things( in good Condition)  for an empty house and can hold them until needed and then  deliver , please email the Brigidines.

Pamela Curr
Campaign Coordinator
Asylum Seeker Resource Centre
12 Batman st West Melbourne 3003
ph 03 9326 6066 / 0417517075

"AUSTRALIA. Built by boatpeople."

Newlands Mending Night Tonight Wednesday 26th June

Sorry about the late notice - I've got things to mend and thought it might be good to get them done before the new financial year.

Have you got clothes/bags/buttons/mending that would be good to fix?

You are very welcome come and mend in good company. Bring along your things to mend and the things you need to mend them.

3 McGowan Ave Preston

6.30 Optional Shared dinner (bring a dish to share)

7.15 till 8.30 Mending

For more info or rsvp contact Cath 93546401

Local Leader Grants

Vote for the kinder!!

Newlands kinder has applied for a grant through the Moreland leader, to upgrade the outdoor climbing equipment. It would be great if people could go to the link and vote for the project. 

Thank you for spreading the word!

http://leaderlocalgrants.com.au/idea/newlands-preschool-play-fort

Concert for the Tarkine

Kavisha Mazzella – ARIA winning singer-songwriter

The MAE Trio – Young award winning folk musicians

Stunning visuals

Guest Speaker - Liz Johnstone, Wilderness Society        

 
The Tarkine is one of the world’s great wild places.  A massive wilderness in the North-West corner of Tasmania, with a rich indigenous heritage. Boasting wild beaches, rugged mountains and the largest temperate rainforest in the southern hemisphere, its remoteness shelters the last disease-free Tasmanian Devils. 
The Tarkine is under siege: threatened by rampant mining exploration and TEN proposed new mines (nine Pilbara-style open cut mines!).
The campaign to prevent this onslaught is heating up. Find out more, and enjoy great music, great company and stunning visuals of this unique wilderness. 

Organised by a group of Tarkine lovers to support the Wilderness Society and Save the Tarkine

7.30pm Saturday 29 June 
Montsalvat, 7 Hillcrest Av, Eltham
Tickets $15 / $10
Bookings on 9439 7712 or pay at the door
Find us on Facebook at Tarkine Beastie
tarkinebeast@gmail.com

FOUND CHIHUAHUA!

This cute little mongrel has been staying at my place for a couple of days. 

No collar and looking bit the worse for wear from its wandering.
Just wondering if any one knows who it belongs to??? 

Ring Di: 0413963248
A friend says it was wandering in Elizabeth street early last week and was. 

Headed for council pick up then?

Winter Workshop

WINTER TEACHINGS

Weekend of creative exploration ,wet/needle felting, clay, drumming

South is the Direction of Winter in the southern hemisphere and its  element is Earth. It is the Direction of the mountains and the rocks and the trees .This Direction teaches us about courage and integrity, about endurance and also insight. Winter challenges us not to freeze, but to stand our ground, to stand up for ourselves and to take heart.

Join Karyn and Nikki for a beautiful and creative weekend retreat amongst the trees at:

‘OAK MAREE’ RETREAT,

An hour and a half from Melbourne & 10 mins from Warburton

SATURDAY 20 JULY 10am to SUNDAY  21 JULY  4.30pm

$190  Concession $175 , $50 Deposit. Reply email for details .

Includes one night accommodation and

all art and craft materials.

BYO food, Saturday dinner out in Warburton. BYO sheets, towels, pillow slips – doonas, pillows provided.

                       

We will explore the way of Winter and the Earth and its meaning for each of us through a number of creative arts processes and modalities. There will be time to reflect and replenish in the beautiful surrounding bush as we will work extensively with Tree energy this weekend. No artistic skill is needed to come along for reflection, creative

play and fun. Explore through guided meditations, working with clay, drumming and dance the many ways to connect with your roots and the pulse of the earth. Especially exciting and energy raising will be the making of our own felted trees under the guidance of skilled craftswoman—Nikki Fletcher. www.toadstoolhouse.blogspot.com

Karyn Down is a creative arts therapist and member of the Australian Creative Arts Therapy Association. www.creativecounsellingconnections.com

           

Inquiries &bookings: 0450 102 033 or email: karyn@creativecounsellingconnections.com

Firewood?

Happy winter everyone. 

Wondering if anyone can recommend a good source of sustainable firewood that's also value for money? 

Much appreciated,
Kelly. 

kellyredfalling@gmail.com

Wanted: Housesitting

House sitting wanted for mature and extremely dependable 50 year old woman, in Melbourne from the UK indefinitely to spend time with her ailing mother.

Please contact Ruth on 0438 507238

 From Mary Nolan with thanks.

A Plus Market

A Plus Market a 'plus size' fashion market is set to debut in Preston.

A Plus Markets is currently accepting stall holder applications. So it is time to clear out your closets and sell your pre-loved 'plus size' fashion and accessories. We are also calling all local crafters, sellers of jewellery, soaps, cosmetics, cakes and other yummies to apply too.

A Plus Market will not only be a fun day out but also provide positive outcomes for local women, the local community and benefit the environment. As well as offering stall hire discounts to community groups, after each market, A Plus Market will donate 5% of it's profit to a local women's charity.

If you would like more inforamtion or to become a stall holder contact Erin on 0403 506 963 or email at aplusmarkets@outlook.com.

A Plus Market

When: Saturday 31^st August, 2013
9.30 am – 2 pm

Where: Darebin North West uniting Church Hall
399A Murray Road Preston

Thanks
Erin Cox
A PLUS MARKET

0402 506 963

Community Orkeztra Concert‏

Our local gyspy community orkeztra has its next concert this Saturday. 

6pm Saturday 22nd June

Uniting Church Hall

251 High St, Northcote, Mel. 18 G12

$10/5, family $25

Come and enjoy. 

We are also always looking for new members if you play an instrument. Open to all levels and instruments. 

Michaela.

kids bike

Free bike - suitable for a small child. Phone Gerard on 0412345830 or email Janet at jmgrigg@bigpond.net.au.

School Holiday Workshops!

Free!

Hi there,

We have a 3/4 size wooden bed with mattress clean and in good condition to give away.

Please email heidimonisha@gmail.com or call Heidi on 0421402512 if interested.

Address: North Coburg

GARDEN CLAY

My builders have left a fair amount of clay that they dug up in my back yard which they spread out over my grass. Is it of any use to anybody at all??

Judy 0405 180 639

The Majestic Plastic Bag - A Mockumentary

A fabulous You Tube clip! Well worth the watch, especially if you think there are too many plastic bags in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLgh9h2ePYw

Little Winter Snails

As announced, this Sunday's 16^th food swap, Hutchinson Place, 2 to 3 pm, has the theme of Little Winter Snails.

Let me explain. Good gardening equates creating perfect snail habitat! Indeed, you pack the place with yummy fresh and tender food, water when needing, provide mulch for hiding and so on. Chemical warfare (snail pellets) has side effects – poisoning birds, dogs, little children – not good. Going snail hunting at night with a torch is great communion with your garden and … you may prefer your cosy bed. SO ...creating an even better snail habitat could be a fair solution. No, I haven't (completely) lost the plot: it is a fair solution as long as you bother collecting the snails regularly from the convenient habitat you created .

Here's what I do.

In strategic spots in the garden, I position upside down little pots (terracota or plastic) near good food, cool and wet environments. The snails just come to it, unawares these are traps – not just perfect hidey holes! I have many such pots scattered around; I check a few nearly every day (at convenient times!) and throw my findings to the chooks. If I spot slimy trails or snail damage, I just add some traps and check there more often for a while.

By the way, thick crunched up cardboard or black plastic is somewhat more unsightly but has great trapping potential. The key is to check regularly.

I sure know I'll never get rid of all snails in the garden– they must share my address by snail mail. However, from ongoing snails trapping, this autumn in my garden is a season for little snails only. I suspect this is a kind of spring garden preparation too. Hence the theme: Little winter Snails!

So why not start this yourself? At the swap, there will be small terracotta pots for you to take and try in your garden. At the start, you'll probably have plenty of Mammas&Papas (note: in one word as snails are hermaphrodite), but overtime, the size of snails you will catch (and their damages) may decrease just like in my garden.

Now, you've caught snails, what to do next? I am lucky enough to have chicken, perfect disposal method. But, you will cry, what am I to do without fowls aplenty?

Well, I'd like to try an idea and see what comes out from it. I made a snail donation box during the mending night at Catherine's. I suspect it is the first snail donation box in Newlands! WOW – possibly the world. Do come and check it out! The way it will work is that I'll hang it above my letter box on the fence after this Sunday's food swap. In the true spirit of sustainability and community, (rather than consumerism and wealth accumulation) it will be a 2 ways donation box: you can put snails in it or you can take snails from it for your own chooks.

I'll be introducing this wondrous contraption to the world at this Sunday's 16^th food swap, and I would simply love it if the trend was to catch on, so that Newlands has a whole network of snails donation boxes for all gardeners to have one within walking distance. Wouldn't that make the neighbourhood chooks happy?

Yep, there are times in life when one's needs a bit of a vision!

Other things about the swap. Yes, intemperant weather is catered for. I still have a few blueberries and can now tell which ones are Blue Rose (deciduous) and which ones are Sunshine Blue variety (not deciduous). Also bringing (so far) cabbage type seedlings, all must go; Canterbury Bells and lettuces seedlings. Collected a few seeds at the end of summer and have Persimmons, Tamarillo and greens to swap

What will you bring (besides snails maybe)? Catch up there.

Pascale

Meditation workshops and Wellbeing Supermarket‏

Hi all,

Friday morning Meditation and Mindfulness sessions are still running from 8-9am at the Newlands Senior Citizen Centre and you are welcome to join in at any time.  Please note that sessions run during the school terms and we will be starting back in the second week of term 3.  This means there are two more weeks left of this term (21^st and 28^th of June) and we start back on Friday 26^th of July. 

No bookings necessary just turn up!

Rachael is now also offering Mum and Bubs meditation workshops.   

Learn a range of simple relaxation, mindfulness and meditation techniques that will help keep you clam, focused, tap into your intuition, connect with you little one and even help you sleep better.  Learn techniques you can use in 10 second slots while you are with your baby / toddler.

Classes: 1.5 hour session during the day for groups at a time and location that suits (this could be a house or we can hire the Newlands Senior Citizen Centre)

Cost: $20 per mother with a minimum of 5 mothers or $150 a group (maximum of 10)

Friends of Edgars Creek - Planting this Sunday

Hi Friends and members,

We are planting again on Sunday - usual time 1-3PM and we are working at the Caravan Park site (go left at the end of Elisabeth St and follow creek downstream around the back of the Big 4 caravan park). 

This will be the first of back to back planting at this site with our July event also working in this area - We will make a huge difference to the area!

As usual Rob and I will be on site from around 10.30-11.00 AM and all are welcome to come along earlier and assist with set-up of the planting and other tasks (good for those who can't hang around in the afternoon or have other commitments to get to!).

The forecast is looking favourable - 14 degrees, only a slight chance of a shower and light winds.
Don't forget that our calendar of events is complete for 2013 and is available on the website. 
See you on the creek!

Kind regards,
David Pavone
President FoEC.

Looking For a Wooden Table

Hi everyone, 

Mission: wooden dining table..

Size: not too big not too small, just somewhere in between..:)

Quality: lifespan of minimum a year.. or... if you have an old one sitting in the garage or know of someone that does.. please let me know as I can fix stuff! 

Thank you, have a lovely day, Sascha 

0421 239 256

Winter Solstice Spiral Dance

How lucky my class falls on such an auspicious evening. Let’s dance ceremony together, embrace the darkness and welcome in the new light. 
Friday 21 June  7-9pm at Prana House $20 plus bring a friend for half price
Info and bookings contact Kat Worth 0412 992 513 dancingkat@iprimus.com.au

The Australian Competition Consumer Commission recall of a ‘Nap Nanny’ infant recliner in Australia.

Please see email from Jill Green, National Co-ordinator of Health Promotion and Bereavement Support, SIDS and Kids® Australia

 'ACCC warns parents about dangerous infant recliner Monday, June 10th, 2013. "If you have the Nap Nanny infant recliner, I urge you to stop using it immediately. Contact the supplier to seek a refund and return the product," ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard said. 

The Australian Competition Consumer Commission is warning parents about the recall of a 'Nap Nanny' infant recliner in Australia. The recall follows reports of five deaths and more than 70 injuries associated with the product in the United States. The deaths and injuries were from falls, entrapment or strangulation. The ACCC is not aware of deaths or injuries in Australia.

The product is designed for infants to rest or sleep in. The Australian recall includes the Nap Nanny Chill Portable Recliner in colours Minky Blue, Minky Pink and Minky Sage. In the United States, all Nap Nanny recliners have been recalled including Generation One, Generation Two and Chill models.  

"The ACCC is aware of only a few of these products being sold in Australia and those customers have been contacted by the seller. However, we are concerned that consumers have purchased them directly from overseas-based websites and are unaware of the recall," Ms Rickard said.

The recall notice is available here. For further information about product safety visit www.recalls.gov.au or www.productsafety.gov.au

The ACCC has produced tips related to infant and nursery safety. Download the Keeping Baby Safe app or visitwww.productsafety.gov.au/keepingbabysafe'