Reaching Out

Hi Wonderful Community,

I am reaching out as I have been exploring ritual and ceremony on an individual level and am interested in exploring it on another level with my community.

So.... I am interested in hearing from you if:

1. You are also interested in exploring and creating spaces for community ritual and ceremony and would like to co-create some spaces to share with the community. 

2. You are a woman (16-120 years old) and are interested in working in a facilitated space to explore and support in negotiating transitions you are currently navigating or would like to be/expect to be navigating.  I am dreaming up a 6 month program that may include a couple of nature based journey's as well as regular group support and would like to explore the want/need and what you would want to get out of it with you the women in this community.

Please reach out to rachael.millsom@gmail.com if you are interested in either of the above.

Rachael Millsom

Counselling, Yoga and Retreats

www.rachaelmillsom.com.au

facebook.com/RachaelMillsomTherapeuticServices

0431 290 174

Bridge Darebin

Hi folks,

Bridge Darebin has a range of great programs starting this term for adult learners and families.

These include urban farming, computers, arts and craft, job-ready courses, English courses and health and wellbeing offerings.

We would love to connect with you this term!

Please see our course guide below 🙂

https://www.bridgedarebin.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/BD-new-early-bird-Term-1-2021-WEB-version.pdf

Prue.

Neighbourhood Notice

Please be aware of a regular female neighbourhood walker in the Newlands area, as we have noticed her taking mail from letterboxes.

Sk8 or Dad!

Hello, Newlands old-school shredders.

I’m sending a shout out to any dads who like me are revisiting their skate youth.

I usually head out for a skate at one of the parks in the north on a weekend morning.

Feel free to hit me up @ shannock2000@gmail.com if you have interest in a weekend skate.

Cheers,  Shannon.

Shout Out

Hi Newlanders.

Just listening to the lovely Clare Bowditch this afternoon and her 'everday heroes' segment, and I did a shout out to Mel Alexander for everything she does for the blog and this lovely local community of ours - Clare read out my message!  Thanks Mel! Your efforts are so appreciated! 

Cheers,

Zoe.

Open Table

FREE COMMUNITY LUNCH

Everyone welcome

Vegetarian Halal

Saturday 27 February

1 pm – 3 pm

Newlands Senior Citizens Centre

45 – 53 Murray Road

Coburg North

For more information visit www.open-table.org

or call (03) 8528 2332

Everyone welcome – no need to RSVP

Melbourne Period Project

Melbourne Period Project & ECO Home & Body

ECO Home & Body would like to initiate donations to the awesome Melbourne Period Project this festive period. They support women and transgender men experiencing homelessness in Melbourne and surrounds by providing sanitary products, help and support. Imagine the humiliation, pain and fear that women and transgender men experience when they’re sleeping rough and their period arrives. They often have nothing. Imagine having to ask a stranger for sanitary products, even if that stranger is there to help. 

ECO Home & Body has TOM pads, tampons, liners to sell at this Saturday's 25% off sale. 25% off makes them $5.25 (less than wholesale price) instead of $7.00 a pack. 

So when you come to the Garage Sale this Saturday, make sure you bring some extra dosh to pass on sanitary products to those experiencing homelessness.  If you have extra products at home that you don't need, please bring them along too. 

Check out  http://www.melbourneperiodproject.org.au/  to find out how you can help on a monthly basis, when you get your period!

Community Centre

Path

I posted this as a comment, but wanted to share it for all those who are interested.

My partner and I actually contacted the council about this path, not because we are opposed to paths, but because we were concerned that consultation policies may not have been followed. We also wanted to confirm the area's dog off-lead status in light of the path.

The Moreland Council graciously and apologeticly confirmed that there was no consultation on this path due to a tight timeframe and that it had not been include in wetland plans or community discussions. This was an oversight and their response to our concerns was really well handled. (Love Moreland Council!). I think memories of the community consultation may be mistaken.  

For those who are interested, the Council also confirmed that they are committed to maintaining the area as a dog-off lead area.  Looks like good news for everyone!

Path

Re: The path on the Merri near the Coburg wonderful pool.

I clearly remember this path being mentioned during the consultation about the future new wetland with a rationale to give wheelchair access. There is an association just next to the pool, cannot remember their name. So yes, it has been planned for. 

I haven't seen this path yet, however I am already thinking how it could be a trigger to add habitat on the side of the creek facing the wonderful revegetation on the confluence ... (I can't help it, I have a sick mind: I see nature everywhere!)

While on the topic of paths and because not everyone in this amazing community might know ... the "other" path through the heart of the Murnong site was a 'oopsie' and will be remediated thanks to prompt community action. I so love how this community care so thank you and remember that Meccarg activities are still 1st Saturday of the month 1-3 pm!

From Pascale.

Speak Out Against Islamophobia

I'm writing to ask for your support for a new group and website I have set up with my friend Linda Briskman. The group is called Voices against Bigotry, and has been formed because of our concern with the increasingly hostile climate for Muslims living in this country. We are particularly worried about a new anti-Muslim political party that will launch in October this year.

The Australian Liberty Alliance (ALA) is associated with the Q society, the group that has run strong campaigns against mosques and halal food. This group is very organised, well financed and connected with anti-Muslim groups in the US and Europe. Extremist Netherlands politician Geert Wilders is providing them with advice and will attend the launch. It would be a serious mistake to underestimate the amount of support this party could garner and the damage they could do by further normalising hate speech against Muslims. They are much more sophisticated than the Reclaim Australia group and have a broad range of regressive policies which are detailed on our website.

Our political leaders have failed to stand up against anti-Muslim bigotry, so we have decided to organise ordinary people to do it. We do not want to give the ALA publicity, but it will inevitably attract publicity and when it does, we want to provide a strong opposing voice. If non-Muslims don't speak out, Muslims can mistakenly think that groups like this have broader support than they do and feel unwelcome in their own communities.

We have set up a website where people can endorse the statement:

Voices against Bigotry condemns the vilification of Muslims. Australian society has greatly benefitted from a diversity of cultures and religions. We oppose bigotry directed against one part of our community for political ends.

Please visit http://www.voicesagainstbigotry.org/ to endorse the statement, share it with your friends, and find out more.

Thanks, Susie Latham.

Dirt Bikes on the Creek

I have recently spoken to the local police about the young men riding Dirt Bikes along the Merri Creek north of Bell St. 

They told me to call 000 every time we see the dirt bike riders as there is often a patrol car nearby. The police may not be able to catch the guys but it will at least deter the riders from coming back as often. If you have any information about where these riders live or come from then let the police know. 

For me it is important that these parklands are accessible and safe for all of us to use with our kids and dogs and don't just turn into a local motorbike track. There are appropriate places to ride motorbikes and this is not one of them.