AUTUMN 2023 WHAT'S ON
CONTENTS
LITERATURE AND CULTURE........................................................
CRAFTS, GAMES AND LEISURE...................................................
TECHNOLOGY..............................................................................
HEALTH AND WELLBEING........................................................
LEARNING AND LANGUAGES...................................................
PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS............................................
KIDS AND FAMILY........................................................................
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM..................................................
page 4
page 8
page 11
page 12
page 15
page 17
page 19
page 26
BOOKING EVENTS
All events are free but bookings may be required. Some events have a limited capacity so get in quick! If for some reason you book and are unable to attend, please cancel your booking. This will free up a spot for someone else.
There may be changes to the programs schedule, including the addition of new events. For the latest program, head to the website or speak with library staff.
HOW TO BOOK AN EVENT
Go to maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/library/events
Or call the library on 9688 0290
3
LITERATURE AND CULTURE
In Conversation with Alice Pung
Join acclaimed author Alice Pung in conversation with Bruno Lettieri.
Alice Pung OAM is an award-winning writer based in Melbourne and who grew up in Footscray and Braybrook. She is the bestselling author of the memoirs Unpolished Gem and Her Father’s Daughter, and her latest novel One Hundred Days was shortlisted for the 2022 Miles Franklin Award.
Refreshments will be provided. Bookings required.
Braybrook
12pm Saturday 29 April
IDAHOBIT: NothingToHide
To celebrate IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Lesbophobia and Transphobia), join us at Footscray Library and hear from Nothing To Hide anthology contributors.
Nothing to Hide was edited by Yves Rees, Sam Elkin, Alex Gallagher and Bobuq Sayed, and is Australia's first mainstream anthology of trans and gender-diverse writing, a powerful contribution to Australian letters.
Refreshments will be provided. Bookings required.
Footscray
12:30pm Friday 19 May
4
LITERATURE AND CULTURE
Footscray Supper Club Book Group
6:30pm Tuesday 21 March; 18 April;
16 May
Footscray Library
Maribyrnong Zoom Book Group
6:30pm Thursday 9 March; 13 April;
11 May
Online via Zoom
Book Groups
Do you love to chat and share ideas and thoughts about books? Why not join us as we come together for a friendly chat about what we are reading. Bookings required. If you would like more information on these groups, call 9688 0290.
Braybrook Book Group
2pm Friday 10 March; 14 April; 12 May
Braybrook Library
Footscray Saturday Book Group
2pm Saturday 18 March; 15 April;
20 May
Footscray Library
Footscray Second Tuesday
Book Group
11am Tuesday 14 March; 11 April;
9 May
Footscray Library
Footscray Third Thursday Book Group
2pm Tuesday 21 March; 18 April;
16 May
Footscray Library
Yarraville High Tea Book Group
2pm Thursday 9 March; 13 April;
11 May
Yarraville Library
Yarraville Zoom Book Group
7pm Tuesday 7 March; 4 April; 2 May
Yarraville Library
5
LITERATURE AND CULTURE
Deep Dive Trivia Night
Celebrate the end of our Deep Dive Summer Reads program with a fun quiz.
Come along to Footscray Library and test your knowledge of book facts! The quiz will be hosted by Bruno Lettieri (Bruno Goes Everywhere). Bring along your friends for a fun filled evening, as we draw the winners of our Deep Dive Summer Reads program and give away bonus door prizes.
There are prizes to be won and a light supper will be served.
Bookings required.
Footscray
6:15pm Wednesday 29 March
Queer Book Group
Designed by the Queer community for the Queer community, come along to the Queer Book Group to read and discuss books by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex, asexual and queer voices. Facilitated by a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, book group members can discuss whichever books they've been reading with a book list available to provide inspiration when selecting your next read.
Bookings open 28 days prior to each meeting.
West Footscray
11:30am Saturday 25 March; 22 April; 27 May
6
LITERATURE AND CULTURE
Poetry Group
Join Maribyrnong Libraries for our Poetry Group, from the comfort of your home! Listen to poetry and connect with your community over the phone. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never read poetry before, we welcome everyone to explore! Bookings required.
Via phone
11am Friday 10 and 24 March; 21 April; 5 and 19 May
Maribyrnong Writers Group
Are you an accomplished or budding author? Are you looking for ideas, information and support? Join one of our Writers Groups at Braybrook and Yarraville Libraries. Call 9688 0294 for more information, or to register.
Braybrook
2pm Friday 3 March; 5 May
Online via Zoom
6pm Tuesday 14 March; 11 April; 9 May
Yarraville
2pm Thursday 16 March; 20 April; 18 May
7
CRAFTS, GAMES AND LEISURE
Knitting Group
Come along to Footscray or Yarraville Libraries and join one of our weekly knitting groups. Share your favourite patterns and techniques, and have a chat with like-minded people. All are welcome, including beginners!
Footscray
2pm Wednesdays
Yarraville
1pm Tuesdays
Conversation Piece: a live knitting circle
To celebrate International Women's Day, join us for a Conversation Piece: a live knitting circle with artist Kate Just and curator and writer Sophia Cai. Come along to this special event and be part of a conversation about feminism and craft as a force for social change.
People of all genders, ages and craft abilities welcome, with all yarn provided. Some crochet hooks and knitting needles provided, however attendees are welcome to bring needles. Parents and carers are encouraged to bring children to the event, as we’ll have a craft table for children. A light dinner will be provided.
Bookings required.
Footscray
6-7:30pm Wednesday 8 March
8
CRAFTS, GAMES AND LEISURE
Movie Club:HighGround
Set against the stunning landscapes of 1930s Arnhem Land, High Ground chronicles young Aboriginal man
Join Movie Club to watch the latest film releases and indie favourites! Light refreshments will be provided, and films are screened with subtitles whenever possible. Bookings recommended.
Movie Club: TheFarewell
In this funny, uplifting tale based on an actual lie, Chinese-born, U.S.-raised Billi (Awkwafina) reluctantly returns to Changchun to find that, although the whole family knows their beloved matriarch, Nai-Nai, has been given mere weeks to live, everyone has decided not to tell Nai Nai herself.
1h 40m, rated PG.
Footscray
11am Friday 10 March
Gutjuk, who in a bid to save the last of his family teams up with ex-soldier Travis to track down Baywara-the most dangerous warrior in the Territory, who is also his uncle. As Travis and Gutjuk journey through the outback they begin to earn each other's trust, but when the truths of Travis' past actions are suddenly revealed, it is he who becomes the hunted.
West Footscray
2pm Thursday 16 March
Movie Club:Elvis
Elvis is Baz Luhrmann's biopic of Elvis Presley, from his childhood to becoming a rock and movie star in the 1950s while maintaining a complex relationship with his manager, Colonel Tom Parker.
2h 39m, rated M.
Footscray
11am Friday 14 April
1h 45m, rated MA15+.
9
CRAFTS, GAMES AND LEISURE
Movie Club: WildMountain
Thyme
John Patrick Shanley, who created the classic Moonstruck, brings his sweeping romantic vision to Ireland with Wild Mountain Thyme. The headstrong farmer Rosemary Muldoon (Emily Blunt) has her heart set on winning her neighbour Anthony Reilly's (Jamie Dornan) love. Stung by his father Tony's (Christopher Walken) plans to sell the family farm to his American nephew (Jon Hamm), Anthony is jolted into pursuing his dreams in this comedic, moving and wildly romantic tale.
1h 42m, rated PG.
West Footscray
2pm Thursday 20 April
Movie Club: Mrs.HarrisGoesto
Paris
Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris tells a humorously heartwarming tale about London housecleaner Ada Harris (Lesley Manville), who thinks her lonely life might turn around if she can become the owner of a Christian Dior gown.
1h 56m, rated PG.
Footscray
11am Friday 12 May
Movie Club: Limbo
Eilis, a young Irish girl, lands in 1950s Brooklyn and soon gets used to the freer life. She falls in love with Tony, who hails from an Italian family. However, a tragedy befalls her back home.
1h 51m, rated M.
West Footscray
2pm Thursday 18 May
10
TECHNOLOGY
Footscray - Mandarin/Cantonese
2-3pm Friday 17 March; 21 April; 19 May
Maribyrnong - English or Spanish
10-11am Monday 6 March; 3 April; 1 May
West Footscray - English
2-3:30pm Thursday 9 March; 13 April;
11 May
Tech Help
Need help with your computer, smartphone or tablet, or know someone who does? Come and chat one-on-one for 30 minutes with a library staff member. You can bring your device, or we have iPads and computers available for use. Bookings required.
Braybrook - English
2-3pm Monday 6, 20 and 27 March; 3, 17 and 24 April; 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 May
Braybrook - Vietnamese
2-3pm Thursday 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30
March; 6, 13, 20 and 27 April; 4, 11, 18 and 25 May
Footscray - English
10-11:30am Tuesday 7, 14, 21 and 28
March; 4, 11 and 18 April; 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 May
Footscray - Vietnamese
10-12pm Tuesday 7, 14, 21 and 28
March; 4, 11 and 18 April; 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 May
Yarraville - English
10-11am Friday 10 March; 14 April;
12 May
11
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Get Active! Expo: Zumba
Try out Zumba in the library, in this once-off beginner level session. People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome!
For the full schedule, head to www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/GetActive-Expo
Bookings required.
Braybrook
11am Wednesday 5 April
Chair Exercises for Seniors
Are you aged 60 years and over, and want to improve your health and wellbeing?
Join a new 12-week physical activity program study conducted by Curtin University, Geri-Fit® Company and Maribyrnong Libraries. Participants will join strength training chair exercise classes twice a week, with the aim of improving strength, stamina, balance and range of motion!
Bookings required.
Braybrook
11am Monday 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 May; 11am Wednesday 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31 May
12
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
Qigong and Tai Chi
Due to popular demand, our weekly Qigong and Tai Chi class has been extended until April 4!
Qigong and Tai Chi are safe and gentle forms of exercise which originated in China hundreds of years ago. It is a mind and body practice involving body movements, postures, breathing and mental focus. Today, Qigong and Tai Chi are practiced worldwide as safe and effective exercise for health, fitness and wellbeing.
People of all ages and fitness levels are welcome. Weather permitting and bookings not required, just come along in comfortable clothing and runners. This program is funded by the State Library Victoria's Health and Wellbeing Community Grant.
Footscray
10:30am Tuesdays until April 4
Qigong and Tai Chi Morning Tea
Celebrate the final Qigong and Tai Chi class for the season, with a special morning tea at Footscray Library. Participants are invited to enjoy light refreshments, as we chat about health and wellbeing.
Bookings not required.
Footscray
11:30am Tuesday 4 April
13
Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
1 in 2 Australians are diagnosed with cancer before the age of 85.
Join us for a cuppa and a chat, while helping raise vital funds to bring us closer to a cancer free future.
Maribyrnong Libraries will host morning teas across the library branches in May. Check the website or speak with library staff for dates and times.
HEALTH AND WELLBEING
14
LEARNING AND LANGUAGES
Conversation Café
Conversation Café gives you the chance to meet new friends and practice your English conversation skills. This program is free and we welcome people of all ages. Bookings are recommended.
Braybrook
2pm Tuesday 7 and 21 March; 4 and 18
April; 2, 16 and 30 May
Footscray
2pm Monday 27 March; 24 April;
8, 22 May
Maribyrnong
2pm Wednesday 1, 15, 29 March; 12, 26
April; 10, 24 May
Resume Help
These free 30 minute sessions at Braybrook and West Footscray Library branches are open to anyone who needs resume help. Learn how to create a new resume, formatting tips, emailing your resume and uploading it to a job seeking website. Sessions run for 30 minutes.
Call Braybrook Library on 9188 5850 or West Footscray Library on 9688 0292 to book in a session.
15
LEARNING AND LANGUAGES
Chinese Book Group
Join our Chinese Book Group at Footscray Library. We'll discuss Chinese books and culture, and you'll have the opportunity to meet other Mandarin and Cantonese speakers. Bookings recommended.
Footscray
10:30am-12pm 21 April; 19 May
16
PROGRAMS FOR OLDER ADULTS
Book and Film Chat: a program for the older LGBTI community
Join us at Footscray Library at our new monthly Book and Film Chat, held especially for the older LGBTI community and their friends and allies!
Each month you can discover new books and films, share recommendations, and meet new friends. Refreshments will also be provided. Bookings required.
Footscray
10am Tuesday 28 March; 23 May
17
Bedtime Story Time
Celebrate the Australian Reading Hour in your favourite pair of pajamas with a Bedtime Story Time and a Teddy Bear Sleepover at West Footscray Library.
Bookings required.
West Footscray
6pm Thursday 9 March
Young Writers Awards Night
Join us for a special evening at Footscray Library to celebrate the Maribyrnong Young Writers Competition and publication of the Maribyrnong Young Writers Anthology.
A light supper will be served. Bookings required.
Footscray
6-7:30pm Thursday 27 April
KIDS AND FAMILY
19
Baby Rhyme Time
Fun filled sessions of rhymes, stories and songs to help your child develop language and literacy skills. Every week from February to December. Suitable for 0-1 years and their families and carers. Bookings not required.
Braybrook
11am Fridays
Footscray
2pm Wednesdays
Maribyrnong
2pm Thursdays
West Footscray
11am Tuesdays
Yarraville
11am Thursdays
Toddler Time
Toddler Time is specially designed to engage toddlers in all areas of childhood development through singing, stories, movement, literacy, language, and play. Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 1-3 and their families and carers. Bookings not required.
Footscray
11am Mondays
West Footscray
11am Fridays
Yarraville
11am Wednesdays
KIDS AND FAMILY
20
KIDS AND FAMILY
Story Time
Encourage a love of reading and help your child develop their literacy skills. Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 3-5 years and their families and carers. Bookings not required.
Braybrook
11am Tuesdays
Footscray
11am Wednesdays
Maribyrnong
11am Thursdays
West Footscray
10:30am Saturdays
Yarraville
11am Mondays
Bilingual Story Time
Encourage a love of reading and support your child's bilingual language learning together. Share stories, songs and rhymes in English and your community language in a supportive and welcoming environment. Suitable for ages 0-5 and their families and carers. Bookings not required.
Arabic
11am Wednesday 8 March; 10 May
Braybrook Library
Burmese
2:30pm Tuesday 28 March; 30 May
Braybrook Library
Chinese
11am Wednesday 15 March; 17 May
Braybrook Library
Hindi
2:30pm Friday 3 March; 5 May
Braybrook Library
Vietnamese
11am Wednesday 22 March; 26 April; 24 May
Braybrook Library
21
LEGO® Robotics
Build a robot and then use coding to make it obey your commands. The program aims to help develop skills and understanding of how technology and coding work together. Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 8+. Bookings required.
Yarraville
4pm Mondays
Tuesday Techies
Come along and try out a range of STEAM based devices, tools, games and resources to spark imagination and curiosity. Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 6+ . Bookings not required.
West Footscray
4pm Tuesdays
KIDS AND FAMILY
22
Spanish Parents Group
Bring your children for stories, play, and socialising. The group has a focus on continuing and strengthening the Spanish language and Spanish and Latin American cultures with your children. Every week during school term. Bookings recommended.
Maribyrnong
11am Fridays
Kids Book Group
Does your child love reading and talking about books? Meet new friends and have fun in this weekly book group. Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 8+. Bookings required.
Yarraville
4pm Tuesdays
KIDS AND FAMILY
23
Kids Club
Join us for fun and creative activities, with something different each week! Projects may include arts and craft, games, science, engineering or even music. Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 6+. Bookings required.
Braybrook
4pm Wednesdays
11am Saturdays
Footscray
2pm Saturdays
Yarraville
4pm Fridays
LEGO Club
Come along to build, play and meet other LEGO® fans! Suitable for primary school aged children. Every week from February to December. Bookings not required.
Braybrook
4pm Mondays
Footscray
4pm Tuesdays
Maribyrnong
4pm Thursdays
West Footscray
4pm Mondays
Yarraville
4pm Wednesdays
KIDS AND FAMILY
24
Young Knitting Club
Calling all crafty kids to join our knitting club! Come along and develop your skills or learn from scratch - no knitting experience required! Every week during school term. Suitable for ages 7+. Bookings required.
Footscray
4pm Thursdays
Code Club
Code Club is a nationwide network of volunteer-led coding clubs with a mission to #GetKidsCoding. Maribyrnong Libraries use Code Club free resources and training to empower kids in the community to learn to code. Suitable for ages 8+. Every week during school term. Bookings required and are for the entire term.
Braybrook
4pm Thursdays
KIDS AND FAMILY
25
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS AUTUMN
Bookings open
Monday 13 March
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Dreadful Dragons
Join us at Footscray Library for this highenergy and interactive performance.
King Cranky Pants’ court is in an uproar! Sir Lee, his famous Knight, has disappeared and a fierce fire breathing dragon is heading straight toward his castle! He needs a hero to save the day!
Suitable for ages 3+
West Footscray
11am-12pm Saturday 15 April
Pysanky Egg Painting
Pysanky are the beautiful and elaborate Easter eggs found in Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian traditions. Learning this centuries-old technique for decorating Easter eggs is easier than you might think!
Suitable for ages 8+
Footscray
2-4pm Wednesday 12 April
27
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Build a Mosque
Be inspired by these places of worship and more in our Build a Mosque workshop! Each participant will be given a mosque template to cut out and assemble. Then, you can design and decorate the mosque your way using a whole host of craft materials including pencils, textas, crayons, sequins and wool, to name a few. There's no limit to your creativity. Delivered in partnership with the Islamic Museum of Australia.
Suitable for ages 5+
Braybrook
3-4:30pm Wednesday 19 April
Maribyrnong
3-4:30pm Friday 14 April
Weaving Workshop
Learn the basics of weaving and explore this relaxing craft. Children will receive their own small loom and yarn to begin a piece they can continue at home.
Suitable for ages 8+
Braybrook
2-3pm Thursday 13 April
Footscray
2-3pm Monday 17 April
Maribyrnong
2-3pm Tuesday 18 April
Yarraville
2-3pm Friday 14 April
28
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Wonderful You
Join us for a songs, stories and activities where we celebrate the joy of being ourselves! Let's discover together about the importance of self-love, self-esteem. This session will encourage the development of a growth mindset so children learn to be confident to be themselves, think positively about who they are and fully embrace their wonderful and unique nature.
This is a family event and we encourage parents and caregivers to accompany and participate with their children.
Suitable for ages 4+
Braybrook
11am-12pm Monday 17 April
Footscray
11am-12pm Wednesday 12 April
West Footscray
11am-12pm Friday 14 April
Sphero Indi
Speed into STEAM with indi! Indi inspires imaginative, play-based learning by empowering kids to design and build their own mazes while creating opportunities to learn the basics of coding, solve problems and nurture computational thinking skills.
Suitable for ages 6+
West Footscray
2-3pm Tuesday 11 April
Yarraville
2-3pm Friday 21 April
29
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Giant Bubble Party
Join us for Giant Bubble Party! Watching bubbles float through the air is exciting but relaxing at the same time, and fun too! Be mesmerised by the magic of the bubbles and maybe even find yourself within a huge bubble!
Suitable for ages 4+
Footscray
11am-12pm Wednesday 19 April
Butterfly Kidz
Experience a close up encounter with live butterflies! Kids are invited into a custom built butterfly enclosure and are able to feed, admire and interact with the butterflies. This includes having them on their hands and even nose if they like! The kids are also in the company of friendly butterfly expert staff who make the experience extra interactive and special.
Suitable for ages 4+
Yarraville
11am-12:30pm Tuesday 18 April
30
Maribyrnong Libraries
www.maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/library library@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
@maribyrnonglibraries
9688 0290
Braybrook Library
107-109 Churchill Avenue, Braybrook
9188 5850
Footscray Library
56 Paisley Street, Footscray
9688 0290
Maribyrnong Library
200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong
9688 0231
West Footscray Library
539 Barkly Street, West Footscray
9688 0292
Yarraville Library
32 Wembley Avenue, Yarraville
9688 0294
Contact your local library
