Community Calendar

This week's photographer's choice picture is of Emmanuel College students Jarryd, Johnny, Seth, Chidi, Ella, Ninarika and Omar, who are having a winter sleepout event to raise funds for homelessness. (Damjan Janevski) 412434_01

Musicians welcome.

The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join their community band. Please note that rehearsals are held under the directorship of Wayne Bowden every Monday evening from 7.30pm at the Spotswood South Kingsville RSL, 59 The Avenue, Spotswood.

■ Hannah Prouse, hbcityband@gmail.com

Heritage walks

Enjoy a leisurely one-and-a-half 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. Each week is a different week with a printed sheet with the route and points of interest provided each week. Walks are leisurely and usually end at a café for a tea-coffee.

■ John, 0418 377 336

Community morning tea

A free community meeting tea occurs every Wednesday at 11am in Joan Kirner

House foyer, 14 Thompson Street, Williamstown.

■ Tahlia, 9397 6168

Woodcarving workshop

The woodcarving workshop meets on Tuesdays at 9.30am-noon at Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed, 280 Queens Street, Altona. All levels of ability in this ancient, international craft are welcome, women included, starter tools and timber available.

jah2802rot@gmail.com

Women Talk – Conversational English

The Women Talk Group will be held on Mondays at 10am for women to learn and practice speaking English in the classroom and the local area and make new friends in an all-women class.

■ 9391 8504 or

outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

Altona Repair Cafe

The Altona Repair Cafe is looking for more repairers to help meet community demand for repairs at their monthly repair events. Repair cafes happen on the first Saturday of the month, noon-3pm.

■ Danielle, 0413 434 082

Hobsons Bay City Band

Do you play any percussion, brass or woodwind instruments? The Hobsons Bay City Band is seeking musicians to join their community band. Rehearsals are held under the directorship of Wayne Bowden every Monday evening, from 7.30pm, at the Newport Bowls Club, 4 Market Street, Newport.

hbcityband@gmail.com or www.hbcb.org.au

Junior surf boat rowing

Wanting to hit the water and try rowing surf boats? The Williamstown Lifesaving Club is hosting come and try days for junior surf boats. Come and try this unique experience for juniors.

info@williamstownslsc.org.au

Boxing

Maribyrnong Boxing Club has reopened. New and former members of the Maribyrnong Community Youth Club are welcome to attend training sessions on Monday, 6pm-8pm, Thursday, 6.45-7.45pm, and Sunday, 10-11am. Boxing for fitness classes, beginners, youth, adults and also competition available. The club premises are located under the grandstand on Maribyrnong Reserve, on the corner of Hortense Street and Middle Road, Maribyrnong

nugara.david@hotmail.com or 0413 495836

Small steps walking group

Are you looking for a fun and social way to stay active? Join the Braybrook Community Hub walking group. Get some fresh air, make new friends and enjoy the benefits of walking. Or join for social connections, bikkies and a cuppa every Wednesday between 10.30-11.30am.

Meditation for stress management

Meditate under the guidance of an experienced teacher through visualisation, breath and movement. A form of mindful planning combining the psychological process of visualising, preparing for the future, and assigning action steps. Held at the Braybrook Community Hub between 10-11am on Fridays. This class will also be live streamed for you to join from home. Cost is $60 per a 10-week term or $6 per session.

Book sale

Friends of Altona Library hold a monthly book sale on the first Tuesday, Friday and Saturday of each month at the rear of Altona Library 123 Queen Street Altona. access via Coles car park, from 10am-1pm. ■ libraries.hobsonsbay.

Altona Girl Guides

Altona Girl Guides currently have vacancies for girls aged five-plus who would like to learn new skills, gain confidence,and expand their friendship circle while having fun.

■ Girl Guides Victoria, 8606 3500- www.guidesvic.org.au

Laverton Community Education Centre

Laverton Community Education Centre has started free AMEP classes in Williamstown Community Education Centre at the Joan Kirner House, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday,s from 9.30am-3pm. Participants can build English, digital and employability skills with the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).

■9369 2726

Computers, crafts, conversation

Whatever your learning interests and needs, Outlets Newport Community Education Centre has hands-on, face-to-face classes for you or a friend. Contact the centre today to find something for you.

■ 9391 8504, or outlets@outletsco-op.com.au

Carers’ walk and talk

A collaboration between the state government, Interchange Outer East and Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), the Pathways for Carers program is launching a monthly walk in Footscray on the third Thursday of each month. The goal of each group is to provide carers with peer-based support, information, services and resources, opportunities to be active and connect with other carers, connect with nature and connect with their local community.

lauren.mcalpine@bsl.org.au or www.pathwaysforcarers.com.au

Seeking stories

Award-winning local author Dr Dominique Hes is writing a book on Newport Lakes, tracing its history, its impact and its contribution. The book will outline the story of its development, highlighting the role of consensus, courage, vision and working with nature to create a beautiful ecological and social place. Weaving in theories of biophilia, regenerative development and placemaking with local stories, it aims to provide inspiration for other communities looking at what they can do in their neighbourhoods. Locals are asked to come forward with any stories, photos, memories to be included in the book.

NPLbook22@gmail.com

Williamstown book sale

Friends of Williamstown and Newport Libraries hold a book sale every second Saturday of each month, 9.30am-12.30pm. The book sale is held in the friends’ room. Cash only sales.

libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

Walking group

The Altona Meadows and Newport Heart Foundation Walking Group is a local community of men and women committed to walking and socialising together with a post-walk coffee and chat and enjoying the natural beauty and birdlife that is to be found throughout Hobsons Bay together. Anyone is welcome to join the group on Mondays, 10am, at Altona Beach, Wednesdays, 10am, at Altona Meadows (Jolly Miller Café) or on Fridays, 10am, at Newport Lakes.

■ Ian Watson, 0411 566 862 or ow.ly/TQ3j50PP1Ap

Computer classes for beginners

Computer classes are run Every day of the week. Choice of morning or afternoons. At Altona North and Williamstown.

■ Lynne on 9397 6168.

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

Friendship group

Altona Day Voice Interest and Education of Women [VIEW] Club meets at 11am on the third Wednesday of the month at Altona RSL.

■ Janet, 9394 6522 or 0412 010 176

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

AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club

Would you like to develop confidence in communicating, competence with language and clarity in writing? AeroSpeakers Toastmasters Club would like to invite any and all residents to join them on the first and third Thursday of every month to help develop public speaking, communication and leadership skills. The group meets at the Laverton Community Hub, 95-105 Railway Avenue, Laverton, from 7-9.30pm.

■ Vimi Gaoneadry, 0411 530 944