city of p o rt p h i lli p maga zi n e - i s s u e 8 4 M ay / J u n e 2 0 1 6
autumn gold faith bus trip
little free libraries st kilda film festival
Dressed in groovy 70s theme gear for the event, teacher Andrea Eales accepts the Ride2School state championship trophy for Albert Park Primary School. Bravo to all the schools and children who helped to make Ride2School Day in March so successful. Pictured are Sarah Diamond and Veronica Nunez from Ride2School, Mayor Cr Bernadene Voss, Andrea Eales and Gerri Mills (parent).
Mayor Cr Bernadene Voss
cover story
Fall guys Council’s street cleaning teams have their hands (and trucks) full in the autumn months. See page five to read about Council’s extra efforts this leaf season. Pictured are Peter and the team in Goldsmith Street in leafy Elwood. Photo: Chris Cassar 2
Never under-rate the value of connecting people Connecting people is one of the most important things a Council can do - but it’s not something that’s easy to quantify on a balance sheet. How do we value supporting Father Bob’s food vans or connecting seniors through Linking Neighbours? What about bringing together hundreds of creative people at the St Kilda Film Festival? Or the joy that people get from community events, local theatre or joining others in a beach clean-up? This Divercity celebrates connecting people, like the Elwood apartment residents using a simple blackboard to share information or the hardy Port Melbourne Icebergs taking a plunge on Saturday mornings before meeting for coffee.
Talking about the things we value, this year is a rates revaluation year and the value of most properties will change. Although Council rate increases will be capped at 2.5 per cent for 2016/17, some individual rates will change by more or less than that depending on changes in the property’s valuation. Check out the brochure explaining rates and revaluation that will come with your rates notice. As our cover shows, autumn is with us and residents will be pleased to know that leaf collection efforts have increased (see page five). Stay connected and enjoy.
co n t e n t s
co nte n t s 7
contacts
www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ contact_us.htm Phone: 03 9209 6777 Facsimile: 03 9536 2722 SMS: 0432 005 405 email: assist@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Faith, friendship and food
For more information please visit: www.relayservice.gov.au
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4
Share your love of books
Sculpture for kids
Little free libraries are popping up across Port Phillip.
Children can make a sculpture at Linden New Art in May.
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Please contact ASSIST on 03 9209 6777 if you require a large print version. Audio recordings of Divercity are available on the City of Port Phillip website and on CD at Port Phillip libraries.
Divercity 84 - May / June 2016 Editor: Greg Day - gday@edunity.com.au Story suggestions are welcome: next deadline 20 May for July / September Divercity feedback: engagement@portphillip.vic.gov.au Information included in this magazine is accurate at the time of publishing but may be subject to change.
From JFK to Obama
More than film at festival
Six decades of candid presidential images at Gasworks Arts Park.
Workshops and forums bring inspiration closer to reality.
The City of Port Phillip respectfully acknowledges the Yalukit Willam Clan of the Boon Wurrung. We pay our respect to their Elders, both past and present. We acknowledge and uphold their continuing relationship to this land. 3
Barry Bevan from the Port Phillip Men’s Shed Association shows Jannicke Langseth and baby Max Bock how the library works.
Share a good book Watch for little free libraries popping up in your neighbourhood. Created by the clever chaps at Port Phillip Men’s Shed as a Vibrant Village project, 10 little free libraries are set to appear across the municipality. These little free libraries are for sharing books that you think others will enjoy. Pick up a book as you pass by and return it for others when
you can. You are also invited to deposit preloved books for others to enjoy. It’s all about sharing your love of books and ideas with your neighbours of all ages. Find out more portphillip.vic.gov.au/ARTcontained ppmensshed.org
Photo: Chris Cassar
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news
Port Phillip retains attendance voting
Port Phillip voters will go to polling booths to elect councillors on Saturday 22 October 2016. Councillors opted to retain attendance voting after weighing up the pros and cons of switching to postal voting. Using a proportional voting system, voters will elect nine councillors across three new wards. To be elected, candidates must receive a quota of votes (one-quarter of the formal votes cast plus one).
Leaf cleaning is picking up
Non-resident ratepayers are automatically enrolled to vote but voting for them is optional. Local business operators can also apply to Council to vote.
Council has responded to an earlier leaf fall with a more intensive oneneighbourhood-at-a-time street cleaning program that will continue until the end of May.
Rolls close Friday 26 August 2016. Check your enrolment to vote vec.vic.gov.au
The program started in April in Elwood and is now moving through East St Kilda, West St Kilda, Middle Park, Albert Park, South Melbourne and Port Melbourne.
Triangle masterplan adopted
The street cleaning crews work six days a week during the leaf fall season, which includes additional work on Saturdays in residential areas.
The St Kilda Triangle Masterplan was adopted by Council in March. The Masterplan, which sets out the landscape and area available for buildings, followed a co-design process that was conducted with the community in 2015. Council is now preparing planning controls to give effect to the Masterplan. View the masterplan stkildatriangle.com
The new program temporarily replaces the regular fortnightly cleaning program, enabling street cleaning crews to more effectively remove leaf debris and provide a better result for the community. More about leaf collection ASSIST 9209 6777 portphillip.vic.gov.au/ street-beach-cleaning.htm
OUT NOW
Rates stay at state cap This year, the Victorian Government has capped rate increases at 2.5 per cent. Although councils may apply to charge more, Port Phillip is keeping rates to this limit. Keeping our City great while keeping rates affordable has been Council’s focus for the draft 2016-17 budget. During February and March, Council sought and received community input on how to meet our budget challenges. Through the use of surveys, nearly 500 people provided feedback. Community feedback has been important in helping to shape the draft budget. View a summary of community feedback portphillip.vic.gov.au
To view the 2016 immunisation calendar please visit www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/immunisation.htm or for further information contact ASSIST on 03 9209 6777.
Photo: Chris Cassar
Voting is open to residents who have enrolled before the closing date. Council voting is compulsory for enrolled residents aged under 70.
Brett Hedger, Greenhouse Programs Officer and worm wrangler
More worms, less waste In under 18 months worm farms at St Kilda Town Hall have processed 1.3 tonnes of food scraps from staff lunches. The hardworking and hungry worms are being monitored by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre as part of a Low Carbon Living study.
Positives for pets and owners There’s much more to pet registration than a lost and found service. Registration fees fund education campaigns about responsible pet ownership, pounds and shelter facilities, and off leash parks. They also fund the Animal Management Unit, whose members follow up nuisance complaints such as barking dogs, cat and dog trespass, and wandering or stray animals. Registration renewals are due on 10 April each year. Reminder notices have been sent to owners. Register, renew or transfer portphillip.vic.gov.au/animal_ registration.htm ASSIST 9209 6777
life just got easier 6
Baykeeper youth crew Young people aged 15 - 25 years are invited to join the EcoCentre’s Baykeeper RE-Generation Project to help protect the biodiversity of our local environment.
Thanks to the worms and other recycling, only 15 per cent of Council waste now goes to landfill. More about worms enviroehub.com.au
Planning for Melbourne Metro Planning is underway for the Melbourne Metro Rail Project, and the community will soon be invited to have their say. Planning documentation for Melbourne Metro will assess the potential environmental, social and planning impacts associated with the project. Get more information www.melbournemetro.vic.gov.au
Fishing for stories and snapshots of Fishermans Bend Do you or someone you know live, work or play in Fishermans Bend? PORTogether (Inner South Community Health Service and Port Phillip Community Group) is collecting oral histories and making digital stories. Drop them a line ship@ishs.org.au 9525 1300 portogether.weebly.com
New members of the RE-Gen crew will learn citizen science tools for beach profiling, shell surveys and audits of plastic pollution. They will also help improve the habitat of the local penguin population. Membership is all about having fun and meeting others while helping to protect the local environment. Get involved nadav@ecocentre.com ecocentre.com
Live skate webcam This smart phone app, developed by Council, shows you what’s happening at Marina Reserve Skate Park in real time via a live webcam feed. There’s also info on weather conditions and upcoming events.
Get the free Marina Reserve app Available for iOS and Android.
Working with us is now faster, smarter and mobile.
eservices.portphillip.vic.gov.au
Pictured inside the St Kilda Synagogue, Journey into Friendship hosts Archpriest Lawrence Cross, St Nicholas Eastern Catholic Church, Maria George, Pastoral Associate, Catholic Parish of Sacred Heart & St Columba, Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, St Kilda Hebrew Congregation and Bhakta Dasa, Hare Krishna Temple, South Melbourne. Photo: Chris Cassar
Bus load of faith
City of Port Phillip Multifaith Network invites people from all backgrounds and faiths to join a free bus tour sharing the wonders of three distinctive local places of worship. Celebrate diversity and common connections while savouring entertainment and food on this unique guided tour.
Journey into Friendship bus tour Sunday 19 June, 2 pm - 6 pm Buses leave at 1.30 pm from Anglican Church, 175 - 177 Chapel Street, St Kilda. Free; bookings essential. For further information and to book www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ multifaith_network rsvp@portphillip.vic.gov.au ASSIST 9209 6777 7
what’s happening in your city Your guide to what’s on, in and around your city - www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/events Port Melbourne
South Melbourne
Albert Park
Middle Park
Windsor
community
National Sorry Day
Thursday 26 May, 12.30 pm - 2.30 pm South Melbourne Community Centre Cnr Park Street and Ferrars Place South Melbourne Come along to a special lunch organised by Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation to commemorate National Sorry Day. Sorry Day gives all Australians the chance to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities. Meal and refreshments provided. Gold coin donation 9699 8804 rosemary.rule@gmail.com
Garden Club 40 years
Wednesday 15 June, 7.30 pm Mary Kehoe Community Centre 224 Danks Street, Albert Park
Join the South Melbourne Garden Club as they celebrate their 40th anniversary. Lots of fun and special guests. RSVP appreciated. Patricia 9690 3692
Young and not so young invited to planting Saturday 28 May, 10 am - 12 noon Lagoon Reserve, Cnr Esplanade West and Graham Street, Port Melbourne Join the children from the Bubup Womindjeka Family and Children’s Centre in a community effort to plant more trees in Lagoon Reserve. All welcome. Bring gardening gloves. The Bubup Womindjeka Outdoor Champions education program encourages children learn about the environment through outdoor activities.
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St Kilda
Balaclava
Elwood
environment
Winebars and would-be master chefs Saturday 18 June, 12 noon Meet at Port Melbourne Town Hall Library Foyer 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne Port Melbourne Business Association presents a Vibrant Village progressive lunch and wine tasting tour with a food created by trainee master chefs. Places are limited, so book early. Christine 0415 773 834 or Paul 0419 540 004 $59 griffiths3207@gmail.com
Morning tea for West St Kilda Sunday 19 June, 10.30 am - 12 noon West Beach Bathers Pavilion Beaconsfield Parade, West St Kilda Join the West St Kilda Residents Association for free coffee, tea and scones. Catch up with old friends, meet new neighbours and discuss local issues. wskra.asn.au
Elwood canal clean ups
Sundays 15 May and 12 June, 10 am
Clean up to reduce litter risks to wildlife. Meet on the grassy banks of the canal beside the Glenhuntly Road bridge. Bring gloves and bags.
Using Indigenous plants
Wednesday 25 May, 6.30 pm - 8.30 pm St Kilda Town Hall 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Learn about Indigenous edible plants and learn how to use them in your cooking. Take home a free plant to try. enviroehub.com.au
Hi-life Expo
Wednesday 22 June, 6 pm - 9 pm Main Hall, Melbourne Town Hall Cnr Swanston and Collins Streets Better strata living in Melbourne for owners’ corporations. Learn how to cut energy bills and make your building a premium, sustainable place to live. enviroehub.com.au
Community tree planting day organiser Mrs Alice Turnbull with Chloe, Ethan and Gardner. Photo: Chris Cassar
family
Mother’s Day @ market
Sunday 8 May, 8 am - 4 pm
Grab a delicious breakfast or special lunch and pick up some great gift ideas. South Melbourne Market is the place to take Mum this Mother’s Day. southmelbournemarket.com.au
Footy card swap meet
Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 May 8 am - 12 noon SO:ME Space, South Melbourne Market Bring along the footy cards and swap them with other kids for a chance to boost your collection. Footy giveaways, memorabilia and footy legends. southmelbournemarket.com.au
Leonie_Rhodes_Photo by Daniel Michaud_BIG AND BRIGHT
Children’s sculpture workshop
arts
Bad Jews
Until Saturday14 May Alex Theatre 135 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda The night after their grandfather’s funeral, three cousins engage in a vicious and hilarious brawl over family, faith and legacy. Tickets $51 - $61 + booking fee alextheatrestk.com
The orchid and the crow
Thursday 3 - Tuesday 15 May Theatre Works, 14 Acland Street, St Kilda Daniel finds out he has Stage 4 testicular cancer and goes searching for God ... any God. Enter Lance Armstrong. A solo performance that is part storytelling, part cabaret and part theatre, featuring original songs from the writers of Die Roten Punkte. Tickets $35 / $26 / $20 theatreworks.org.au 9534 3388
Linden’s autumn art
Leith McGuire and Arts Project Australia 6 May - 17 July 2016 Tuesday - Sunday, 11 am - 4 pm; until 8 pm Wednesday Linden New Art 26 Acland Street, St Kilda Sunday 15 May, 2 pm - 4 pm Linden New Art 26 Acland Street, St Kilda Using traditional sculpture techniques and clever tricks, children will use modelling clay to make their own sculpture of a person, which they can take home. $22 trybooking.com/JZFY
Leith McGuire’s drawings of landscapes, plants and animals are informed by the cyclical narrative of death, decay and preservation. Arts Project Australia’s studio and gallery nurture and promote artists with an intellectual disability. Contributors to the exhibition include Dionne Canzano, Michael Camakaris, Matthew Gove, Bronwyn Hack, Ruth Howard and Chris Mason.
All Saints’ Anglican Church concert series All Saints’ Anglican Church 2 Chapel Street, East St Kilda The All Saints’ Anglican Church hosts choral, vocal, organ, instrumental and chamber music.
Saturday 7 May Greta Bradman My Hero tour $54 / $49
Sunday 8 May, 4 pm Romantic organ concert: Calvin Bowman
Saturday 14 May Box Hill Chorale: Haydn, The Creation
Sunday 22 May, 4 pm Davide Monti, baroque violin
Sunday 12 June, 4 pm Romantic organ concert: Nanbe Han from Los Angeles
Sunday 26 June, 4 pm Aequales Ensemble: Brahms, Piano quintet op. 34 Tickets $10 - $25; students free www.allsaints.org.au
Water, Air, Earth and Fire
Monday 9 - Sunday 29 May Opening night, Tuesday 10 May 6 pm - 8 pm Gasworks Art Precinct 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
Emerald Hill Art Group presents an exhibition of paintings inspired by the four elements. All paintings available for purchase. gasworks.org.au
lindenarts.org
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what’s happening in your city Your guide to what’s on, in and around your city - www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/events Port Melbourne
South Melbourne
Albert Park
Middle Park
Windsor
St Kilda
Balaclava
Elwood
arts
Journeys - Homeland to Here
Gasworks’ hot winter program Gasworks Arts Park, 21 Graham Street, Albert Park
Opening 8 June, until 6 July The Gallery, St Kilda Town Hall 99a Carlisle Street, St Kilda This exhibition portrays 13 emerging artists and designers who are new immigrants, refugees or asylum seekers. Photographer Andy Drewitt captures what is important to each artist in their pursuit of a creative life. portphillip.vic.gov.au
See the local symphony
Sunday 19 June, 2.30 pm South Melbourne Town Hall 208-220 Bank Street, South Melbourne
Barack and Michelle Obama by David Burnett
If These Walls Could Talk …? Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May 7.30 pm A fusion of slapstick theatre, circus skills and powerful storytelling, If These Walls Could Talk …? brings to life the stories of six generations of tenants who have inhabited a single apartment.
Circus Showdown Circus Showdown Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 June 7.30 pm Showdown Spectacular Saturday 4 June, 7.30 pm
Enjoy Australia’s best emerging and established circus and physical theatre talent, and have your say on your favourite act. Tickets $10 - $49.
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This is not a love song Thursday 16 and Friday 17 June, 7.30 pm Comic legend Greg Fleet’s debut play presents a love story that is equal parts irresistible first kiss and hate-fuelled wrecking ball. Featuring a stellar cast and a musician playing songs from Fleetwood Mac to Daryl Braithwaite. Tickets $20 - $40
From JFK to Obama Tuesday 7 June - Sunday 26 June 9.30 am - 4 pm American photojournalist David Burnett is one of the few photographers to have made images of all the US presidents since John F. Kennedy. This exhibition captures unguarded moments and candid settings of presidents over six decades. Free gasworks.org.au 9699 3253
South Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s second concert for 2016 will be conducted by Lynette Bridgland. It will feature Tchaikovsky’s Capriccio Italien, Op. 45, and Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet, Ballet Suite No. 2. $20 / $15 / free for children 12 and under Tickets at the door or online secretary@smso.org.au
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown Tuesday 21 June - Saturday 2 July Alex Theatre Level 1, 135 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda See the Broadway musical based on Charles M. Schulz’s classic comic strip Peanuts. A day in the life of Charlie, his sister Sally, his friends Lucy, Schroeder, Linus and Peppermint Patty, and his best pal Snoopy. Tickets $28 - $45 + booking fee
Vale Street show
Inaugural Group Exhibition Thursday 2 June - Saturday 18 June Wednesday - Friday, 11 am - 5 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 12 noon - 4 pm, BRIGHTSPACE, 8 Martin Street, St Kilda Fifteen artists from Vale Street Artists will exhibit their lastest works. www.brightspace.com.au
heritage
A new page for Ripponlea
Sunday 8 May, 3 pm St Kilda Library Community Room 150 Carlisle Street, St Kilda
Hear author Judith Buckrich speak about her book, The Village of Ripponlea.
info@stkildahistory.org.au
What a way to go
Saturday 21 May, 2 pm Main gate, St Kilda Cemetery Dandenong Road, St Kilda East Friends of St Kilda Cemetery will be your guides to some unusual deaths and a history of the Melbourne morgue. $10 info@foskc.org 9531 6832
Heritage Port Melbourne
Monday 23 May, 7.30 pm Port Melbourne Town Hall 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
Hear a talk by heritage consultant Helen Lardner about local heritage sites.
Harder Than Football Monday 27 June, 7.30 pm
Hear Barbara Cullen tell stories from her new book about VFL players in WWI. Free; bookings required pmhps.org.au 9646 9360
health and wellbeing
Be part of a weekly parkrun Saturdays, 8 am Albert Park Lake, opposite MSAC Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed five km run or walk. Organised by volunteers, every week it attracts over 300 people of all ages and abilities. Register online before your first run.
albertmelbourneoffice@parkrun.com parkrun.com.au/albert-melbourne
BUG bike rides
Sunday 8 May, 9.30 am
Join the Port Phillip Bicycle Users Group (BUG) for a ride from Belgrave Market to Kooyong Station. trybooking.com/KDBI
Sunday 5 June, 9.30 am A joint ride with Glen Eira BUG around parts of Port Phillip and Glen Eira. trybooking.com/KTZC
Port Melbourne Icebergs
Saturdays, 8 am Port Melbourne Life Saving Club 38 Beaconsfield Parade, Port Melbourne Take the plunge, then head for coffee and conversation. Facebook: PortMelbourneIcebergs
Healthy Living Expo
Tuesday 24 May, 10 am - 12.30 pm South Melbourne Town Hall 208-220 Bank Street, South Melbourne Discover how to stay healthy and connected to your local area as you get older. Try free activities such as t’ai chi, and get tips on how to keep connected and healthy. Join My Aged Care, an information session about the federal government’s new initiative to support home care services. Free refreshments and giveaways. 9646 6362
Older people living alone
Wednesday 1 June 10 am - 12.30 pm Port Melbourne Town Hall 333 Bay Street, Port Melbourne
Join a forum for people aged over 55 who are living alone. The forum will discuss daily living, community connections, relationships, family, emotional wellbeing and support. Morning tea provided. Free; bookings required ASSIST 9209 6777 ekalnin@portphillip.vic.gov.au
Men’s Health Week
Wednesday 15 - Sunday 19 June
Buy a bow tie when you grab your morning coffee from Padre. All money raised will support beyondblue. southmelbournemarket.com.au
Try a mindful triathlon
Sunday 14 May, 8.30 am - 4 pm Catani Gardens, St Kilda
Wanderlust 108 starts with a five km run or walk, followed by a 75 minute yoga flow session, then 30 minutes of guided meditation. Get to the Kula Market for crafts and organic foods. Sign up for extra workshops in aerial yoga, acroyoga, hooping and slacklining. $40 wanderlust.com/108s 11
A selection from the Wild@heART program.
Festival inspires local makers
Special programs Industry forums and Alongside the Top 100 films and clever curating are SoundKILDA is an exciting and diverse helping the St Kilda Film range of curated screenings that traverse the obscure to the wonderfully Festival inspire a new international. Highlights include: generation of filmmakers Lost Laughs from the Past: Buckeye and Pinto (1977) and Terror Lostralis and audiences. (1978): Not seen for decades, these
In May the St Kilda Film Festival transforms the St Kilda Town Hall into a creative hub for people interested in making and watching films.
After filtering and selecting from over 400 entries, the festival will screen the top 100 short films in competition. The winning films will be eligible for consideration for an Academy AwardÂŽ. Get the program, buy tickets Thursday 19 May - Saturday 28 May St Kilda Town Hall (with opening night at the Palais Theatre) Tickets from $18 full / $15 concession www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au 12
films were screened in the last days of Richmond’s erstwhile Valhalla Cinema.
Wild@heART: a 60 minute program of works created by local artists whose work helps battle social exclusion. Short Black: A celebration in Indigenous short film, with a selection chosen from Indigenous directors Tracey Moffatt, Warwick Thornton and Richard Frankland. Worldwide film in two packages: The Festival has a hand-picked program of award winning indie films plus highlights from the 2015 Palm Springs Festival.
Industry forums for every filmmaker During the Festival, the Filmmaker Development Program offers a full day of forums, and workshops in The Big Picture on Saturday 21 May from 11 am. A film in five forums: Starts with writing, then funding, legals and production, and finishes with marketing and distribution. Workshops: Practical workshops range from visual effects to pop-up legal clinics, technical post-workflow sessions, drone presentations and audience development. Couch conversations: Explore collaboration to learn about the importance of the relationships on set and behind the scenes. Industry stalls: Chat with pre- and post-production bodies, guilds and education people. Check the Festival website for all the details. www.stkildafilmfestival.com.au
www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/divercity
Reconciliation writing competition Port Phillip Citizens for Reconciliation has launched a writing competition across Victoria for adults, and secondary and primary school students. Fiction, non-fiction or poetry entries that focus on reaching out and building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, our shared history, and our story and the land are encouraged. Entries will be judged by established Aboriginal authors and prize money will be awarded in all categories. Entries close Friday 16 September www.ppcfr.org Liz Gallois 9507 5567 egallois@optusnet.com.au
Get set for the 2016 Seniors Festival Got a story to tell? Enter Port Phillip Writes: Seniors Festival Writing Awards. These awards are part of the Port Phillip Seniors (55+) Festival to be held in October.
commu n i t y
Growing affordable housing Council has released a new plan to increase the supply of affordable housing in Port Phillip. It is a long-standing priority of Council to maintain a diverse and inclusive community, and ensure housing remains available to those who are socially disadvantaged and marginalised. In Our Backyard - Growing Affordable Housing in Port Phillip 2015-2025 explains how Council will invest in and support the provision of community housing by local community housing organisations. Exploring potential planning mechanisms for Port Phillip, including Fishermans Bend, is also an important strategy to encourage delivery of affordable housing by the private sector.
Solve our Facebook mysteries
Entries for the Seniors Festival Art Exhibition close Monday 5 September. Entry forms and more information www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ seniors-festival.htm ASISST 9209 6777
Vaccines made free and easy Under the National Immunisation Program, Council provides free vaccines for parents, infants and children.
Fictional stories or poems on any topics or non-fiction writing about life in Port Phillip are welcome. Entries close on 30 June. Need a hand getting started with your story? Port Phillip Library Service will be running seniors writing workshops during May.
In Our Backyard portphilip.vic.gov.au
Sessions are offered at a variety of local venues. No appointment is necessary.
Can you solve the mystery? Let’s get started! When and where was this photo taken? How many St Kilda Film Festivals were hosted here? Shoot us your best guesses and find more questions on Council’s Facebook page. facebook.com/cityofportphillip
The sessions are staffed by experienced immunisation nurses who can discuss any questions. Last year there were over 3,500 visits and over 8,000 vaccines given. Parents’ feedback surveys praised the information and care provided by nurses. Get the vaccination calendar portphillip.vic.gov.au ASSIST 9209 6777 13
Tarus working on a new song with professional musician and volunteer Rod.
Linking to neighbours
Connecting with words and music
On any given Wednesday, the corridors of South Melbourne’s Sol Green Community Centre are alive with the sounds of songwriting. They come from the Wild@heART weekly songwriting
Op shop skills training
Work is one way for people to connect with others. But breaking through to a job isn’t always easy, as many readers will know. To help more people get reconnected to work, the Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre (PMNC) has teamed up with South Melbourne Community Chest Op Shop to provide a 24 week customer service and retail training program for nine people. Working with an experienced trainer, the program combines three hours of classroom training with nine hours on-the-job experience at the op shop each week. Previous participants have said that the 24 weeks seemed a lot at first, but was often the amount of time necessary to build confidence and re-establish a work routine. About 60 per cent of past participants went on to get paid employment. Enrol now for July start 9645 1476 admin@pmnc.org.au 14
and music workshop, which is held for people who experience disadvantage, including mental illness, and alcohol and drug issues. Supported by top local musicians, the participants write their own songs, record them using iPads, and create video and audio files for their songs. It’s a supportive songwriting group that welcomes beginners and advanced players.
The Linking Neighbours program gives people the opportunity to make new friends and acquaintances. Join regular bus trips, weekly coffee groups, exercise groups, walking groups and bike riding groups. Each group provides opportunities to develop long-lasting relationships with your neighbours. Regular activities include a fortnightly bike riding group leaving from Port Melbourne, and gentle exercise classes on Monday mornings in South Melbourne. Become a linking neighbour ASSIST 9209 6777
For beginners and beyond Sol Green Community Centre cnr Coventry and Montague Streets South Melbourne Wednesdays 12.30 pm - 3.30 pm $8 per week
www.wildatheart.org.au
Driving a connected community
Volunteering as a driver with South Port Day Links (SPDL) enables you to make a real difference to the community by keeping people connected. Many elderly and disabled Port Phillip residents find it difficult to access transport that would enable them to get out and about, and maintain their independence. So SPDL is always looking for volunteer drivers. SPDL provides the cars, all the training and orientation to the role. Register your interest 9646 6362
Low tech connect In the tech age of ‘i-this’ and ‘e-that’, residents of an Elwood apartment block are using a blackboard and chalk to connect with each other. Located near the front gate, the blackboard is used to mark birthdays, events, share jokes, announce garbage pick-ups and social get-togethers, and advise what veggies are available from the shared garden. There’s also been offers of free pot plants and magazines. ‘It’s simple and great,’ a resident said.
Meals are held in parks where diners can enjoy their time out in a treed and green environment.
Cr Bernadene Voss
Mayor Sandridge
mayor@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0413 246 704
Meet, greet and eat The Father Bob Maguire Foundation runs a food van service that operates five nights a week in four different locations. Memuzin River, Community Development Manager of the Foundation, says, ‘We serve food from tables and greet diners while they choose from our smorgasbord. They can then share a relaxed meal with others and socialise. Some diners don’t get out, socialise or interact with other people except at community meals. ‘Rather than the traditional food van, where workers are inside and warm, and diners are left to stand outside eating, we like to think of our food van as a five star restaurant on wheels that serves three course meals. We believe that healthy individuals make for a healthy community.’ Volunteer, donate or attend fatherbobsfoundation.com.au Locations Mondays 6.30 pm Alma Park, St Kilda Tuesdays 6.30 pm Olive’s Corner, Port Melbourne Wednesdays 7 pm Courtyard of 200 Dorcas St South Melbourne Fridays 6.30 pm Olive’s Corner, Port Melbourne Sundays 6.30 pm Peanut Farm, St Kilda
If you need assistance you need assIst!
Social steps to a healthy heart Increase your heart health through physical activity by joining a free Heart Foundation walking group. Power Walkers of Port: Join Yvonne outside Coles in Bay Street, Port Melbourne, on Mondays at 8.30 am for a power walk around Port. St Kilda Walking Group: Join Nora for a moderately paced walk around St Kilda and Elwood. Dogs welcome. Meet at Inner South Community Health Service, 18 Mitford Street, St Kilda at 10 am on Mondays. Port Melbourne Easy Walkers: Join Pat and Rosie for a leisurely one hour walk on Tuesdays. Starts 9 am at Port Melbourne Town Hall. South Melbourne Walking Group: Join Fotini on Wednesdays at 9.30 am at Inner South Community Health Service, 341 Coventry Street, South Melbourne (opposite the market).
Cr Serge Thomann
Deputy Mayor Catani
sthomann@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0432 299 372
Cr Andrew Bond
Junction
abond@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0481 034 028
Cr Anita Horvath
Emerald Hill
ahorvath@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0438 906 161
Cr Vanessa Huxley
Carlisle
vhuxley@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0406 890 739
Cr Amanda Stevens
Albert Park
astevens@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0481 034 029
Cr Jane Touzeau
Point Ormond
jtouzeau@portphillip.vic.gov.au Mobile 0432 287 634
www.ischs.org.au
For everything from parks and permits, to footpaths and falling leaves just contact ASSIST.
www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/ contact_us.htm
03 9209 6777
St Kilda Film Festival Australia’s Top 100 Short Films
19 —28 May 2016 St Kilda Town Hall Palais Theatre
stkildafilmfestival.com.au #stkildafilmfest
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