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.
Comedy show
Popular comedian Sean Diao is known for their unique humour and witty commentary on everyday life. They are bringing their show ‘Laugh or China Releases a New Virus’ to Mantra Studio Kitchen and Bar in Yarraville. Saturday, Apr 8, Tuesday, April 11 and Friday, April 14. Cost: $19.50 to $24.50.
■ 9917 2844
Blood donation
Williamstown Pop-up Blood Donor Centre. Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 31. Williamstown Town Hall, 104 Ferguson Street.
■ lifeblood.com.au or 13 14 95
Grant writing workshop
Arts Manager and Creative Producer Melynda von Wayward (The Wayward Woman) will be hosting a monthly online in-depth, affordable and accessible half-day grant writing workshop for emerging and professional Australian creative individuals and organisations who want to learn how to write and submit a high-quality funding application to an Australian arts funding body. The first workshop will be held on Sunday, March 26.
The cost of the four-hour workshop is $150 and there are also several grant writing packages available.
■ www.thewaywardwoman.com/grant-writing-workshop.php
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.
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
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
Motoring group
The Hobsons Bay Men’s Shed Motoring 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
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, 0418 377 336
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
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.
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. Funds raised for the Smith Family Learning for life program.
■ 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
Art workshops
The Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre presents MonArt. Workshops for people of all abilities facilitated by community art specialist Amanda Neville, Mondays 10am-11.30am. Cost: $5 casual fee each week.
■ admin@ljac.com.au, or 9398 2511
West Footscray Rotary
The Rotary Club of West Footscray meets at the Medway Golf Club in Maidstone for lunch, fellowship and guest speakers each Wednesday from 12.30 until 2pm.
■ David, 0416 497 398
