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.
Williamstown book sale
Friends of Williamstown and Newport Libraries hold a book sale every second Saturday of each month 9.30am to 12.30pm. The book sale is held in Friends’ Room – entrance from deck on Ferguson Street. Cash only sales.
■ libraries.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au
Newport Folk and Fiddle Beginner Play Along Group
Welcome in the new year by taking up an instrument or dusting off that guitar or ukulele or other instrument and joining the Newport Folk and Fiddle Beginner Play Along group. Absolute beginners or those with some experience can come and join in a safe, casual and welcoming environment. Come on down, have some fun, make new friends, have a cuppa and maybe even learn something new. All instruments and levels of expertise are welcome where the main aim is to enjoy music and have fun. Children are also most welcome. The group is led by Danny who creates a welcoming and casual environment. Saturday, March 18. 6.30pm to 8.30pm. 2nd Newport Scouts, 6 Market Street, Newport.
■ www.nffc.org.au/beginner-playalong
Palliative volunteers needed
Mercy Palliative Care is looking for volunteers to visit palliative care patients in their homes to offer social support.
■ 9313 5700 or MPCVolunteerCoordinators@mercy.com.au
Empowering asylum seekers
The Asylum Seeker Resource Centre is looking for the next generation of leaders with lived experience of seeking asylum to take part in its Community, Advocacy and Power Program 2023. It is a three-month intensive training program to equip people with lived experience of seeking asylum with the leadership skills necessary to become powerful advocates for the refugee community. The program will provide participants with skills in advocacy, community organising/mobilising, public speaking and effective media engagement. The opportunities and networks provided through the CAPP training program will equip graduates to become powerful and persuasive storytellers and effective mobilisers and organisers in their own communities. If you are a person with lived experience of seeking asylum, apply today. Women and young people 18+ are strongly encouraged to apply by Friday, March 31.
■ asrc.org.au/community-advocacy-and-power-program
Cultural cuisine
Every year in March, Victorians come together to celebrate our rich diversity through food, cultural games and more with Cultural Diversity Week (March 11 to 21). Annually, Braybrook Community Centre puts on a large community lunch and this year, will be hosting a range of smaller luncheons during the week on Wednesday, March 15, Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17 from 1pm to 2pm.
■ www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/Events/Cultural-Diversity-Week-2023
Eat Drink Westside
A regular fixture of the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, Eat Drink Westside is a unique collaboration between Melbourne’s western region councils and MFWF, shining a light on the area’s culinary gems and enviable food community. The 2023 festival offering features Westside Wanders, a special series of moveable feasts or ‘Wanders’ across Melbourne’s west.
■ www.melbournefoodandwine.com.au
Heritage walks
Enjoy a leisurely one-and-a-half hour walk around historic Williamstown and nearby suburbs with guide John. Walks start at 9.20 am each Tuesday outside the Visitor Information Centre in Nelson Place. Each week is a different week and a printed sheet with the route and points of interest provided each week. Walks are leisurely and we usually end at a café for a tea/coffee.
■ John on 0418 377 336
Comedy talent
For one night only, Williamstown Town Hall will play host to some of the biggest names in comedy, including Bob Franklin, DeAnne Smith, Celia Pacquola, Nick Cody and Dane Simpson. Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson Street, Williamstown. Friday, April 7 from 8pm.
■ www.comedyfestival.com.au/2023/shows/neighbourhood-sessions
Free walking group
Every Wednesday (during term dates) at 10.15am from Joan Kirner House, 14 Thompson St, Williamstown.
■ Tahlia, 9397 6168
Free community morning tea
Every Wednesday at 11.00am in Joan Kirner House foyer, 14 Thompson St, Williamstown.
■ Tahlia, 9397 6168
Computer classes for beginners
A wide range of times and days, at both Altona North Community Centre, and Joan Kirner House in Williamstown.
■ Lynne, 9397 6168
Motoring group
The Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed Motoring Group club run to the Bostock Reservoir is being held on Sunday, March 19 to raise money for two members who have entered a car in the Mystery Box Rally, which raises money for cancer research. The group will host its container sale on Saturday, March 25, where members will be selling off excess tools at bargain prices.
■ HBMS.MotoringEvents@gmail.com or 0417 531 670
Speedcubing competition
Rubik’s Cube masters are encouraged to register to compete in an upcoming Speedcubing Australia competition. March 18 from 9am to 6.30pm and March 19 from 8.30am to 4.45pm. Seaworks, 82 Nelson Place, Williamstown.
■ www.worldcubeassociation.org/competitions/SpeedcubingatSeaworks2023
Walking group
The Altona Meadows and Newport Heart Foundation Walking Group is a local community of men and women committed to walking together, 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. The group walks for 60 minutes and enjoys the physical and psychological benefits of walking together in clean, fresh air rain, hail or shine, at its own pace and according to individual abilities. Members are required to register with the Heart Foundation in order to join. Hobsons Bay resident Ian Watson established the walking group four years ago under the Heart Foundation’s umbrella, and, in 2021, was awarded the Heart Foundation’s Australia wide Golden Shoe Award for Courage and Commitment.
■ Ian Watson, 0411 566 862 or www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/Community/Whats-On/Altona-Meadows-and-Newport-Heart-Foundation-Walking-Groups
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, 0411 530 944
Musicians wanted
Established in 1979, the Westgate Concert Band is seeking new members. Do you play woodwind, brass or percussion and are looking for a welcoming place to play enjoyable and challenging music? Rehearsals held Saturday mornings during school terms, 9am to 12noon at Braybrook College.
■ westgateconcertband@gmail.com
Woodcarving workshop
Aimed at all levels of ability in the ancient and international craft of woodcarving. Women are welcome. Bring your own tools and projects if possible. Or do you have Grandpa’s old gouges to donate? Tuesdays from 9.30am to noon at the Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed at 280 Queen Street in Altona.
Free English conversation class
Is English your 2nd language? Do you want to improve your English skills and meet new people? Practice English conversation in informal interactive group sessions. Light refreshments provided. Mondays during school terms from 1pm to 3pm at the Altona Library meeting room at Queen Street, Altona.
■ Joe Pellone, 0431 915 970 or joepellone@gmail.com or Jill Mackenzie, 0439 994 705 or jill.mackenzie111@gmail.com
Willin Wimmin choir
Williamstown-based women’s community choir Willin Wimmin is currently welcoming new members to take part in a free no-obligation try out session. The group meets each Wednesday evening in school terms in the Church of Christ hall at the corner of John Street and Douglas Parade in Williamstown from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. There are no auditions and you don’t need to be able to read music.
