COMMUNITY CALENDAR: Western suburbs

Jones in conversation

Thinker, politician, writer, teacher, broadcaster and quiz-show champion Barry Jones will bring his wit and wisdom to Footscray as part of Victoria University’s Game Changer conversation series. The former Lalor MP and Australian Living Treasure will discuss how the public debate on issues such as climate change, taxation, refugees, and vaccinations has been dumbed down in recent years. From 6pm, Monday, at VU at MetroWest, 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray.

Talking memoirs

Award-winning playwright Hannie Rayson will talk about her new memoir, Hello Beautiful! Scenes From a Life, at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville from 6.30pm on Tuesday, March 10.

■ 9689 0661 or info@sunbookshop.com

Writers in the west

Are you a writer, theatre maker, poet or songwriter? Do you live, work or spend time in the west? The West Writers Group is a collective of writers from diverse backgrounds who live, work or have other established links to Melbourne’s west. The group will meet from 6-8pm every second Tuesday, March 31 to November 21.

www.footscrayarts.com

Join Probus

New members are being sought for the West Footscray Ladies Probus Club. Meetings with guest speakers are held from 10am-noon on the second Monday of each month at Maribyrnong Activity Centre, 52 Raleigh Road, Maribyrnong.

■ Verlie, 9314 4874

Vietnamese cooking workshops

Learn to create Vietnamese cuisine, including taro spring rolls and other specialties. Mondays until March 2 at Maribyrnong Community Centre.

www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/maricomm, 9032 4305 or email maricomm@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au

Depression group

Want to increase your knowledge and learn practical skills for managing anxiety and depression? Footscray’s cohealth will run a two-day group on Monday and Wednesday, March 23 and 25, from 9.30am-2.30pm. Bookings essential.

■ Madeline, 8398 4254 or Ian 8398 4252

Children’s art classes

Artypants Artclasses for six-to-12-year- olds are held on Wednesdays from 4.45-5.45pm at Altona’s Louis Joel Arts and Community Centre. Artful Dablers art and craft classes for adults are held at the same venue on Wednesdays from 7.15-9.15pm. Visit www.artypants.biz for more information.

■ 0402 226 458