NECCHi

We're farewelling our beloved Manager, Ellen! It is with a mixture of sadness and happiness that we are farewelling our beloved manager, Ellen, this coming week at NECCHi. Ellen has had an unmistakeable impact on our neighbourhood house, and we're all so grateful to have been able to spend time with her over the three years she's been here. We're all going to miss the warmth and enthusiasm that Ellen brought with her to NECCHi, but at the same time, we're thrilled for her, as she steps into further studies and into the shoes of grandmotherhood! We're inviting community members to farewell Ellen on her last day here at the Newlands Neighbourhood House, Wednesday 28th of May. We hope you can join us on Ellen's final day at NECCHi, and wish her a warm farewell! Stop by Brewlands at 11am, Wednesday the 28th of May for a cake and a brew. We hope you're staying warm this Waring Season! Here's a peek at what's happening at the Neighbourhood House over the coming weeks :) Piñata Workshop with Cristina Alvarado Join artist and NECCHi community member, Cristina Alvarado, for this two-day workshop covering the traditional techniques for making festive piñatas! Cristina will walk us through the process of using flour and paper to shape our own piñatas, teach us a piñata song, and demonstrating the many ways to decorate and colour our creations. The workshop is suitable for all ages, and tickets are per family. Join us on the mornings of Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th of June for this one-of-a-kind workshop! Book your spot Baby Massage Workshop with Bibha Sharma Join Nurse and Infant Massage Specialist Bibha Sharma for this three-week workshop on full body baby massage, held at the Newlands Neighbourhood House. Over three weeks, parents will be guided through a number of specific techniques for baby massage, with the aim of practicing the methods at home. The course is designed to allow for an intuitive approach to baby massage, and one that prioritises confidence and comfort, where both parents and babies can gain the full benefits of this practice. Some of the benefits and applications of baby massage include: promoting healthy development understanding cues and communication treatment for colic, constipation, reflux, and teething pain basic relaxation techniques exercise and gentle movement bonding The workshop is designed for families with 0 - 12-month-old babies in mind, and each ticket covers a family for the three weekly sessions. Baby Massage will begin on Wednesday 18th of June, at our Newlands Neighbourhood House. Book your spot Unfurl - Weekly Plant-Focussed Making Sessions with Craig Burgess Join Craig from Draw Plants Together for ‘UNFURL’ – the same weekly plant-focused, process-led making sessions but with a new format. Sessions will start with 30 minutes of ’sensory drawing’ led by Craig – a simple noticing practice that suspends critical thinking, invites reflection, relaxation, and allows for the material and relational qualities of drawing to be felt. Following this gentle start, there will be some open time and space to follow the thread of your own creative interests from week to week, in conversation with plants and materials, and in the company of others attending the sessions. Book your spot   Winter Solstice Folklore Herbalism Workshop This Winter Solstice, unlock your herbal roots in a hands on workshop that unites the healing power of plants with the joy of making. Join Beth and Dee for an introductory workshop that will focus on the art of oil infusions and blend your own natural remedies to use and enjoy at home. In this workshop, you will create: a nourishing topical Salve a natural healing Lip Balm a comforting Winter Chest Rub and a soothing Face Clay Mask ....all from plants you can grow in your own backyard! Join Beth and Dee at the East Coburg Neighbourhood House on Sunday June 22nd, from 9am - 1pm to celebrate the Winter Solstice, with morning tea provided. Book your spot Rain Moth Community Nursery Upcoming Working Bees Rain Moth Community Nursery is starting up! Come and help propagate veggies and native plants. The nursery is volunteer run and created to sell low-cost veggie and native plants periodically to the local community. Local plants grown by locals for locals. Here are the dates and locations for our upcoming working bees. Wednesday 4th of June, 1:30 - 4:00pm - Newlands Neighbourhood House Wednesday 11th of June, 2:00 - 4:00pm - East Coburg Neighbourhood House Join us for a special Winter Solstice Working Bee and Family Friendly Gathering. Saturday 21st of June, 1:00pm - 5:00pm - Newlands Neighbourhood House Register your interest online NECCHi Garden Group Keep an eye out for upcoming events in the NECCHi Garden! Fungi Walk - learn about fungi and citizen science on this family-friendly walk along the Merri Creek. Date TBC. Newlands Garden Working Bees - join the garden group on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month, morning tea provided. It's not too late to become a NECCHi Neighbour in 2025! NECCHi is a member-based not-for-profit organisation, which means that as a member, you can play an active role in shaping the organisation.  As a NECCHi Neighbour, you get:  10% discount on full-priced tickets 4 free brews from Brewlands (that includes coffee, tea, chai, and hot chocs!) 1 pkt seeds from the NECCHi garden (subject to seasonal availability) Attend any $5 per session programmed activities for free  Free hotdesking at East Coburg Invitation and voting rights at our AGM Become a NECCHi Neighbour!