The Rezzadent - March 2024

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The Rezzadent continues to exist thanks to:

Editor-at-large

Shannon McKeogh

Editor-in-Chief

Viktoria Komornik

Grouse designer

Delyse Drummond

Whizz-bang marketing guru

Vinisha Pulikkaparambil

Our amazing illustrators

Rhiannon Poley

Awesome writers & photographers

Shannon McKeogh

Julie Atkinson

Kate Jost

Nicole Robertson

Eddy Urias-Castro

Suraya Saleh

Shailla Van Raad

Viktoria Komornik

Our social media hot shot:

Eddy Urias-Castro

Thanks to our proof-readers:

Jenny Brown

Hayley Culley

Suraya Saleh

Acknowledgement is not enough but still important

The Rezzadent was made on stolen land in Reservoir, Victoria. We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin nation who are the traditional custodians of this beautiful land. For many of us, our local creeks, trees, and our lake have been such a comforting balm to the soul during these chaotic times.

We would also like to pay respect to the Wurundjeri Elders, past and present, and extend this respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait people from other communities who may be reading this.

It always was, and always will be, Aboriginal land.

The Rezzadent needs your help to continue running!

The Rezzadent is run by volunteers who all share their passion for this publication. We appreciate the dozens of volunteers who have contributed to the magazine since our first issue in September 2020.

Creating The Rezzadent every couple of months requires a lot of work, researching and chasing the relevant stories, writing, illustrating, coordinating timelines, putting the pages in their stunning design and managing social media.

The more hands we have on deck, the lesser the load and more likely the magazine is able to continue into the future.

However we are not shy to ask, we need you.

• Ideas for content: If you have an idea for a story, a photo, an illustration or would like to know more about how you could help please email us. You don’t have to be a professional in any of the roles to volunteer for The Rezzadent.

• Recipes: Do you have a family member who is an amazing cook and creates wonderful recipes, or you have an old family recipe you wish to share? We would like to bring the recipe column back as a regular of The Rezzadent.

• Art: Do you have a friend who is an artist (and this term may be used broadly), who lives in

Reservoir and others would be interested in reading about their work?

• Events: Is there an upcoming local event you are organising or just know of?

• Are there any ‘feel good’ stories you’d like to share?

• Pets: Do you have a pet who could share their story with us? We love pieces written from their perspective.

• Sports: Is there a local sports team others should know about? Their achievements?

We appreciate any time you can spare, an hour or two. Perhaps more?

The Rezzadent’s focus is all about the positive events in Reservoir and its immediate vicinity. We love to highlight and celebrate the diversity of our suburb.

If you think you can help or want to know more about how you can help please email us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com

Many thanks and looking forward to hearing from you,

Viki Editor

A PLACE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO GROW

EDWARDES LAKE BOAT HOUSE

Words By Kate Jost - President of Friends of Edwardes Lake

On 2nd February 2024 and again at a Special Council Meeting on 12th February 2024, the Edwardes boat house was discussed in the Darebin City Council chamber.

At these meetings, a motion was passed to either progress towards finding a commercial operator to occupy the Boathouse or refurbish it as a community space.

The Friends of Edwardes Lake, Friends of Merri Creek, Friends of Edgars Creek, Merri Creek Management Committee, Darebin Hard Rubbish Heros, Darebin Repair Cafe, Transition Darebin and the Rezzadent are standing in partnership to advocate for the boathouse to become a community space.

Currently, the ground level of the boat house is being used to store equipment to look after the lake, ride-on mowers,

boats, planting supplies, hand tools and booms for emergency water pollution response. It also serves as a break room for Darebin employees who service the lake.

We have created a proposal to be presented to Darebin City Council, Nathan Lambert (Labor member representing Preston and Reservoir) and Ged Kearney (Federal Member for Cooper) that keeps the current function of the boat house, but also allows for the first floor to become a community space.

The proposed community space would include an entry foyer, one large meeting room, one smaller meeting room, a new kitchenette, flexible furniture to suit all community needs, a parent's room and unisex toilets. The outside of the building would also be transformed with a new paint job (in a nature-based colour palette to reflect the surrounding bushland environment), replacement of the handrail on the balcony, a naturebased mural on the wall of the building and the creation of an outdoor meeting space (with elder permission it could be referred to as a yarning circle) surrounded by a meadow of indigenous wildflowers planted by the Reservoir community.

The could be a space where meetings for Darebin’s advisory committees are held, a place where Darebin Gardens for Wildlife volunteers could host workshops, meetings and training. Committee meetings for The Friends of Edwardes Lake group could be conducted. It could be home to a community hub for rehoming, reuse, repair, and recycling. A place where workshops are held for learning new skills and obtaining new knowledge. A space for bush kinder and parent groups. A space for yoga, dance and exercise classes. A home for makers markets and local artists to showcase their work. A space for The Rezzadent to plan their next issue. A place for all of our community.

Many people ask me what my dreams and hopes are for this waterway. I hope that we never have another algal bloom that results in the black water event causing avian botulism. The last botulism outbreak in 2007 killed 100s of birds. I dream of never seeing litter floating in the water that I have to ask volunteers to collect. I dream of a space that is a sanctuary for our native wildlife and a place for our community to connect with nature and reset from the stresses in their life.

I hope for a community that respects and protects our local biodiversity. I dream of never writing another post about a swan’s early and preventable death.

Refurbishing the Edwardes Lake boathouse provides an opportunity to continue to restore Edwardes Lake’s ecosystem ensuring that it becomes a sanctuary for the native species that call the waterway home while also encouraging locals to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Reservoir has cafes, restaurants and ice creameries already within walking distance of the lake, but a community hub is something special, something we should and can all support.

You can help us and our partners realise this dream by signing the petition below;

https://chng.it/wgygpqFDdz

To view the full proposal click below to view our website;

https://www.friendsofedwardeslake. org/a-vision-for-kevin-the-boat-house

PART ONE

LIFE’S A PLAYGROUND

Compiled

& Reviewed by

Shannon McKeogh, Suraya Saleh and Shailla Van Raad

The smell of damp bark chips, the sizzling of hot red plastic slides and the creak of baby swings where chubby legs dangle haphazardly. A toddler’s hat lies abandoned - tossed - in a tunnel. Someone paid good money for that hat, but the toddler doesn’t care. Runs around, wild hair flying free. Parents sit on logs and make awkward chit-chat, while your child tries to steal their child’s snacks.

This is Reservoir park life, and if you care for a small human, you’re spending a lot of time with them playing outside. Rezza (and surrounds) has a lot of options available - which is why every edition we’ll give you the low-down on different play spaces you may have not yet discovered that you can check out.

If you have any suggestions on parks you’d like us to review. Please shoot us a message on Instagram @therezzadent or email rezzadentnews@gmail.com

Keon Park Children’s Hub Playground

Address: 1-7 Dole Avenue, Reservoir, 3073.

Description: Standard playground fare, you’ve got your monkey bars, climbing spiral, climbing rope mesh thing, slide and the mandatory wheel that you can’t not spin. There is one of those rocking things, this one is a sailing ship. This playground is located next to the Keon Park Children’s Hub, so convenient access if going to a maternal nurse appointment or need toilets there. Although toilets are only open during standard business hours. It’s a long hike to find another loo outside of these times.

Age range: Toddler and up

Pros: It’s fairly basic, but does the job.

Cons: The steps to the slide are those slim metal bar types, so pretty inaccessible to toddlers on the smaller scale. Although the slide is mini so not sure what the designer was thinking, or if they were.

What the toddler thinks/likes: My toddler likes the sailing ship rocking thing. She rocks back and forth nearly hitting the ground. Great fun. Otherwise, she wanted to run along the paths and not actually engage with the other equipment. Note - if your toddler is in the ‘run for your life stage while going ‘oooooooo’’ there is a moderately busy car park in front of the Keon Park Hub, so be wary that you will need to grab your child.

Anything else of note: There is plenty of green space/oval nearby so if your toddler prefers to run around, there’s heaps of space there. There’s also a new-ish swamp and track that is kind of cool to see some new bird life around the area.

JC Donath Playground

Address : 27 Harmer St, Reservoir, 3073

Description : The standout playground in North Rezza, this slightly hidden playground is made mostly from natural materials ticking the Earth Mama box. There are logs and rocks for lots of nature play and a BBQ with covered seating and tables close by. The playground includes a slide, swings, tunnel and a climbing wall. Toilets are a bit of a walk away in the Keon Park clubrooms.

The park is a popular dog-walking spot, although they are not usually at the playground.

Age range: Toddler and up - slide can be easily accessed with rock steps

Pros : Variety of different equipment, lots of shade.

Cons: The blue spinning thing is broken and hard to push, sometimes there is a bit of rubbish around, especially after a party.

What the toddler thinks : Loves exploring the area and the round swing is always a big hit.

Anything else of note: Someone left their Bali bottle opener souvenir in the bushes (see below).

Edwardes Lake Park Play Space

Address: Griffiths St, Reservoir

Description: The playground has two main areas – a fenced play area for toddlers and a grassy area with equipment for older children. Neither area has a main structure, instead, both are made up of various separate pieces of play equipment, including lots of swings. The fenced area has a natural theme with logs and rocks for balancing on, a sandpit, and some metal drums nestled among the landscaping. There are swings, a round-a-about thing, a rarely-used climbing area, and a rather incongruous large blue and red seesaw of the type not often seen at parks these days. Outside the fenced area is a huge slide built into the ground (take a packed lunch for the journey up the hill to the top), a flying fox (definitely not all-abilities), a climbing frame, a large basket swing and some regular swings.

Age range: Baby up to big kid.

Pros : It’s in Edwardes Lake Park, so there are nearby toilet facilities, gazebos, picnic tables and lots of grass and shady trees. Also ducks and swans on the nearby lake.

Cons : The lack of a main climbing structure and slides can make it hard to know what to do with younger toddlers once they’ve had enough of the swings and round-a-bout.

What the toddler thinks/likes: My two-year-old loved the seesaw, round-a-bout and balancing logs. She also enjoyed the big slide – which meant this rather unfit, pregnant mama had to trek to the top with her three times.

Anything else of note : If your child loves trains, there is an old steam engine parked nearby, but it’s behind a fence so only for looking, not climbing, these days. Lots of concrete paths, including a circuit around the lake, make it a great destination for kids on bikes or scooters, or new parents who want a walk. On weekends expect to share the area with several birthday parties and family gatherings.

Wright Reserve Playground

Address: Wright St, Reservoir, but also accessible via easement from Henty St, opposite George St.

Description: This is a true hidden gem. Not visible from any busy roads, most people don’t know this playground exists unless they live nearby. It has two main structures with slides (one big, one small), various climbing options to get up those structures, a wobbly bridge, monkey bars, spider-web climbing thing, a fourway seesaw, basket swing, regular swings and a rocking pelican. It’s regular playground fare, but it’s done very well. Surrounding the play area is a large grassy area with lots of trees.

Age range : Toddler and up, but particularly good for younger kids.

Pros: The surrounding gum trees shade the

playground in the afternoon. As a bit of a local secret, it’s rarely busy and you often see the same families there.

Cons : There are no toilets, no water fountain, no shelter and only one picnic table. There is also only one toddler swing, despite the playground’s popularity with younger children, meaning there is often some turn-taking-induced tears.

What the toddler thinks/likes: This is our goto playground. My toddler has loved the steps, seesaw and wobbly bridge since she could walk. Now she’s older, she enjoys the challenge of climbing up the ladder to the big slide and is making good progress on the monkey bars.

Anything else of note: While it’s not an off-leash area, it’s not uncommon to see a nearby resident throwing a ball or stick for their dog on the grassy area.

Merrilands Reserve Playground

Address: 7 Asquith Street, Reservoir, 3073

Description: The Merrilands Reserve Playground in Reservoir is a delightful haven for young adventurers located near Keon Park Station, off High St in North Reservoir. It’s a small, charming play area, but it packs a punch.

Age range: toddler and up.

Pros: Wooden Towers: A towering wooden structure awaits, complete with climbing walls, rope net ladders, and walkways. It’s topped off with an impressive, curved tunnel slide that gave us some exhilarating descents. Monkey Bars and Fireman’s Pole: Older kids can test their mettle on the monkey bars, while the fireman’s pole adds

an element of daring fun. Swings and Sandpit: Take a swing into the sky or dig into the sandpit surrounded by rustic rocks and logs, which kids love to jump on! Bird’s Nest Swing: go for a spin on the bird’s nest swing. Picnic Facilities: Two tables and a barbecue area would give you an opportunity to share a meal. Tennis Court: Adjacent to the playground, a free (!) tennis court beckons sports enthusiasts. It’s close to the Keon Park train station if you are catching public transport.

Cons: T he sandpit lies a little to the back of the Reserve, which is out of the way of the central play area. For smaller children, adults need to supervise when children are climbing the wooden towers. The playground isn’t completely enclosed, so adults will always need to be extra vigilant. The slide is quite high, so adults may need to ride with kids. The lack of shade for the BBQ areas. No toilets.

What toddler likes: the climbing structures! My little one also loved watching kids practice on the free tennis court and stealing unsuspecting athlete’s tennis balls.

Things to note: Merrilands Reserve Playground is more than just swings and slides. Whether your little ones seek adventure or simply want to play in the sand pit, the Merrilands Reserve Playground is a gem worth exploring.

Norris Bank Reserve

Playground, Bundoora

Address: Cnr McLeans Road and Fifer Rise, Bundoora, VIC 3083.

Description: A Kaleidoscope of Play, nestled within the green tree-filled embrace of Bundoora, the Norris Bank Reserve Playground is a vibrant play haven, with a large playground and soft colourful play areas, which always excite my twoyear-old, whenever we drive past.

Age range: toddler and up.

Pros: Lime Green Twist slide: The playground’s pièce de résistance? A massive twisting slide in vibrant lime green. You can go up via the rope bridges, a tunnel, or a metal ladder, and then plunge down the chute. Lime green has never been this thrilling!

Swing Zone: There’s so much variety. The swings

area boasts a bird’s nest swing, regular swings with safety chains, a harness swing, and even a Liberty swing for wheelchair users.

Flying Fox: There are two lanes—one with a disk seat and the other enclosed.

Nature Play and Scooter Loop: There’s a ‘nature play zone’ where kids can explore the greenery and a scooter loop, for kids who have a wheeled ride. This mini-skate park offers bumps, banked

corners, and endless fun.

Water Play (when operational) includes Spray nozzles and sluice gates. My little one loved pressing the buttons to activate the sprays.

Stage Area: budding performers can put on a show.

Cons: This playground is a little out of the way for public transport users. The tram does stop on Plenty Rd, but it would be a 15-20 min walk from the tram stop. The playground isn’t completely enclosed, so adults will always need to be extra vigilant. The slide is quite high, so adults may need to ride with kids. There is a lot of shade around the playground with the gorgeous trees, but the equipment is not shaded directly. The water play isn’t always on, so temper your little one’s expectations to avoid disappointment.

What the toddler likes: The enclosed flying fox seat is great for smaller kids like mine. They love being able to fly with a push! When the water play works, it’s the best and gives you some time to chill, whilst watching your child get their shoes wet.

Top tips/notes: A fan fave for us! Pack your picnic basket, gather the clan, and let the Norris Bank Playground entertain, especially after 5-6pm so the kids can get their energy out before bed.

ONCE UPON A TIME RESERVOIR HAD A CINEMA…

Written by Viki Komornik

Right at the north end of High Street just before it becomes Epping Road there was Cinema North. Yes, once upon a time Reservoir had its very own cinema.

The theatre operated until 1993 when it could no longer compete with the cinema complex in the Northlands shopping centre. It started screening films in 1928 but after five years it was converted into a dance hall named Palais de Dance. However in 1936 it re-opened as a cinema and had the ability to host approximately 500 viewers. In 1955 they built

a new 900 seat auditorium next door and in 1968, after changing hands again it was named Cinema North. Another screen was added 13 years later but two screens were still not a competition for multiplex cinemas.

Today the cinema building houses the Reservoir Justice Service Centre.

I first found out about Reservoir’s cinema on one Reservoir Facebook page.

How for three pence one could see two feature movies, then later get charged one shilling for one movie. Memories like watching western movies with friends on Saturday afternoons starring cowboys Davy Crocket, Hopalong Cassidy, The Lone Ranger, Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, Tom Mix and the Cisco Kid.

that visitors were charged five cents for a bag of lollies. Even earlier sixpence bought you a packet of life savers and a packet of juicy fruit. Some recall having to wear their best for the Saturday matinee. Now you have to buy a Gold Class ticket to have your food delivered to your seat but some remember sandwiches and cakes being brought around in a

basket during intermission. You could get cordial ready made up in paper cups along the counter.

Orange Jaffas rolled under the seats, back seats were reserved for the lovers and babies were placed in a glass enclosed room while the parents enjoyed the movie. My daughter couldn’t believe

It even had its own organ installed during the 1970’s and was being played during the intervals. The organ and the musician would rise from underneath the front stage.

Loved reading the way people reminisce and relive their experiences. For many locals remembering this cinema is a trip down memory lane.

CREATING HABITAT AT

EDWARDES LAKE, EDGARS CREEK WETLANDS AND EDGARS CREEK

Words by Kate Jost - President of Friends of Edwardes Lake

In November 2023 the Allan Labor Government announced a ten million grant program that aimed to improve habitat for native wildlife across Victoria’s iconic urban rivers and creeks. Edgars Creek was one of those waterways.

Round one of the grant program was a pool of six million dollars.

Friends of Edwardes Lake submitted a Green Links Grant project for $317,000 and was successful.

This funding will help us create habitat at Edwardes Lake, Edgars Creek Wetlands

and Edgars Creek in Reservoir between Broadhurst and Glasgow Avenue.

The grant was broken up into three parts:

• Restoring just over 9,000m2 of creekline at Edwardes Lake, Edgars Creek Wetlands and Edgars Creek, by removing weeds and installing over 20,000 indigenous plants.

• The purchase and install of 30 nesting boxes to support wood ducks, microbats, kookaburra and possums.

• The install of two habitat

logs for native turtles.

• Turtle education sign featuring illustrations by Carly Al-tree Williams, a local biodiversity artist.

The works will be completed over the next 24 months.

If you would like an opportunity to participate in community days, keep a lookout on the Friends of Edwardes Lake socials and the events pages of the website https://www. friendsofedwardeslake.org/ events

We hope to see you at one of our events!

TISIRI - STRAIGHT FIRE TRUCK

Words & Images by Eddy Urias-Castro

When we moved into Reservoir at the start of 2020, the sparsely populated strip of shops along Plenty Road was pretty dead. As an avid food adventurer the bit of road along Gower St all the way to Robb St didn’t inspire me at the time. It took a pandemic sized shift to spark life into the sad strip of shops.

There’s now even a food truck park between Frier Ave and Walsal Ave on Plenty Rd that just keeps on buzzing and there are two clear reasons why. Acai Bang, which I admittedly haven’t tried yet, and Tisiri Food Truck.

And as it’s written on Tisiri’s truck their food is – straight fire!

The crunchy lemon salt and red pepper chips alone make your night. Why don’t we always put more lemon salt on our chippies is baffling. Crispy golden soft in the centre, zingy tangy on the outside makes these the best chips in Melbourne at the moment.

They have crusty bread subs with either fried chicken or brisket. My pick is the fried chicken sub; enough housemade pickles and slaw to cut through the fat, fried onions and kewpie to bring home the flavours.

Now I haven’t been impressed by a regular cheeseburger for at least 10 years. I’ve had great ones since then, but I’m never surprised. All it took was a

Get stuck in to it at 701 Plenty Rd, between 5-10pm most nights and 11pm weekends.

little fried onion and punchy flavoursome smokiness for me to recommend that you at least try their cheeseburger once, I promise you’ll thank me.

Special mention goes to their very own “The Brunnys” cold brew coffee with housemade banana cream. I was a little sceptical at first, but the person ahead of me was bubbling with excitement about getting his.

Images By Julie Atkinson

NEW WASTE INCINERATOR PROPOSED FOR WOLLERT

Words By Carmen Lahiff-Jenkins

When you throw something away, where does it end up? Have you ever asked yourself, where is this magical fairy land called ‘away’ and why is it that our relationship to rubbish ends when we throw it there?

Australia’s largest waste management company Cleanaway, wants ‘away’ to be an industrial incinerator at 510 Summerhill Road, Wollert. This is 12km from the centre of Reservoir and 1.2km from Merri Creek.

A few years ago, the Victorian Government put out a call for rubbish management solutions. Along with local councils, they have been battling a crisis of rubbish management, which saw improperly managed waste illegally stored in the northern suburbs. In some cases, these factories were exploding and burning for days, endangering the lives of communities and firefighters. Everyone on this side of Bell Street will remember the toxic smoke billowing across Thomastown and Reservoir in 2020. Advice to close the windows felt pretty ineffective in our poorly insulated and drafty Australian houses where we were trapped for random periods during extensive COVID lockdowns. To add to community concerns, rumours of organised crime and bikies have certainly made rubbish management a hot button topic.

Pleas for innovative waste management solutions have been met with surprisingly oldfashioned proposals rebranded as waste-toenergy centres. The Wollert incinerator is not the

only project proposal of this type that has come to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in the last four years; in fact, according to the EPA, four similar projects are in various states of approval in the outer suburbs of Melbourne.

The Cleanaway project has refashioned the process an incinerator undertakes by using phrases like ‘thermal treatment’ – which means burning and waste-to-energy, which sounds great, but is yet to be explained. The project has named the proposed facility ‘Melbourne Energy and Resource Centre (MERC).

On Saturday 2 March, the EPA ran a community forum, which I was able to attend. Among 35 people, three were from Wollert. They had heard about the project plan by chance. Others were from Reservoir, Thomastown, Epping and Coburg North, having heard of the intended proposal

via the Clean Air Network, which is a group of community activists who keep an eye on risks to air quality.

There are a few questions here. Firstly, how do proposals for incinerators solve our need to get to zero emissions? Incinerators are NOT emissions neutral. And secondly, isn’t it time we stopped making waste in the first place?

We know that rubbish must be managed. All of us are heavily invested in waste management, there are TV shows on mass dedicated to getting rid of rubbish, from Marie Kondo and Hoarders to the latest Swedish Death Cleaning show. We are swimming in our waste. Governments will need to enact legislation making manufacturers responsible for the packaging they create. The streets of Reservoir are always full of hard rubbish, just check out the Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes Facebook page. A front-end approach, reducing waste, and making better quality products in the first place takes the responsibility for recycling away from the

community. It shouldn’t be on us to clean up after huge manufacturers, supermarkets, and big businesses, or endure possible pollution from local incinerators!

The incinerator in Wollert is not a done deal. On 13 March, the community will be invited to speak to Cleanaway directly. At that meeting there will be an opportunity to ask about the trucks carrying up to 380,000 tonnes of waste per year, Cleanaway’s reputation with managing other waste centres, and lodge any concerns with the EPA and Engage Victoria by 14 of April.

https://www.epa.vic.gov.au/about-epa/newsmedia-and-updates/media-releases-and-news/ cleanaway-applies-for-waste-to-energydevelopment-licence

https://engage.vic.gov.au

WITH BUDABUN, BUNJIL, MUK MUK AND MARRAM

RESERVOIR VIEWS PRIMARY

Words by Viki Komornik Photos supplied by Reservoir Views Primary

When you drive down Hickford Street your eyes will be drawn to a colourful wall on the right. Make sure to pull over, stop and feast your eyes over the stunning mural designed by cultural artist, Uncle Brendan Kennedy. Reservoir Views Primary School worked closely with the well known artist and fierce advocate for Indigenous waterways, especially the Murray Darling Basin.

I was lucky to have met Uncle Brendan in person while visiting the mural. His passion and dedication was contagious and his connection to the school was obvious.

He designed the mural to reflect the local environment; its flora and fauna and not least its cultural identity. Uncle Brendan held storytelling sessions with the students through which they

could also contribute to the creation of the artwork. The artwork itself became the story, representing Darebin Creek, the Rainbow serpent and the ancestral beings, such as Bundabun (long-necked turtle), Bunjil (wedge-tailed eagle), Muk Muk (meaning owl) and Marram (kangaroo) in space.

The purpose of the artwork was simple, to connect the community. Anyone who sees it would agree that It does so much more than that.

The school community was invited to join in and together fill in the design with colours. It also deepened the school’s values within the broader community and the students. The school values were previously created in consultation with the school community and resulted in ‘courage’,

‘connection’ and ‘curiosity’.

For Reservoir Views Primary these are not just words that need to be written up as a legal requirement, instead, they are words that the school lives up to. The mural represents the courage that it took for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to share their stories, a connection to the community and encourages curiosity amongst the students and the parents.

Parents, students and teachers were equally encouraged to grab a paintbrush during drop off, pick up or any other free time they had, including on weekends. The artist hopes to inspire children to love their environment and each other.

Creating this mural fostered a true collaborative and community spirit. It helped Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families to connect, celebrate their pride and sit with Uncle Brendan while deepening their connection with the mural. This is one of many ways the school is letting them know that their voice matters.

A personal favourite is the story of an Auntie from the stolen generation, who when visiting the mural also had the chance to watch her grandchildren colouring in the artwork.

The mural serves as an educational piece for all who want to learn about its story. It also serves

as a source of pride for the indigenous kids, carrying this feeling both into the classroom and outside of school.

The official launch of the mural was celebrated by a Welcome Picnic on the 12 th of March.

Students were able to participate in an Aboriginal song and dance to celebrate the launch.

Since the mural has been created, elements of the artwork as decals have been placed across the school and after consultation and approval from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural

Heritage Aboriginal Corporation to have ongoing use of the Woi-wurrung language, the four new

house teams were named after some of the native wildlife from the mural.

Personally, I love murals. Their large scale and ability to turn a simple wall into a giant artwork often mesmerises me. Knowing the story behind this wall makes it even more special.

You find the mural at Reservoir Views Primary School on the wall at the back of the school facing Borrie Street.

Brendan Kennedy is of the Tati Tati, Latji Latji, Wadi Wadi, Mutti Mutti, Yitha Yitha and Nari Nari peoples of the Murray River, Murrumbidgee River, Lachlan River, Edwards River and Wakool River Country. https://www.kaiejin.org.au

His artwork has been displayed in places like the Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum, Scienceworks and across various schools and organisations throughout Australia.

The following grants are available to local residents and organisations:

Youth Aquatic Accreditation Program (open until 31 May 2024)

• State government.

• Between $195-325.

• Fee support towards acquiring or renewing select swimming accreditations for young people aged 16-25.

More information: https://sport.vic.gov.au/ grants-and-funding/our-grants/youth-aquaticaccreditation-program

Camps, Sports, and Excursions Fund (open until funds exhausted)

• State government.

• Between $125-225.

• Payment support for eligible students to attend activities like camps, sports programs, outdoor education, and excursions.

More information: https://www.vic.gov.au/ camps-sports-and-excursions-fund

Victorian Schools Garden Program (open until 26th April 2024)

• Non-government organisation.

• $500-$4,500 across several categories.

• Open to all primary and secondary schools to apply for nursery vouchers or garden products, with the aim of establishing new gardens or repairing existing gardens in their schools.

More information: https://www.vsgp.org.au/vsgagrants-program/

Dyson Community Grants (applications now open)

• Non-government organisation.

• Up to $1,000.

• Funding is available for not-for-profits, sporting clubs, and early learning, primary, or secondary education institutions to support the provision of services to the Victorian community.

More information: https://www.dysongroup.com. au/about/community-grants

COMMUNITY NEWS & EVENTS

If you have a tip-off or know of an event coming up that you’d like featured please contact us at rezzadentnews@gmail.com

Device Advice

Friends of Edwardes Lake

Sunday 7 April, 9am - 12:30pm

Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir VIC 3073

Volunteers needed to collect litter from the waterways and record the data in the LitterWatch portal. Meet at the notice board between the bridge and the playground.

Further details online: https://www. friendsofedwardeslake.org/events

Reservoir Library

Thursday 11 April, 2 - 5pm

Free

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Book a one-on-one Device Advice session and have your tricky tech questions answered.

Reserve a spot online: https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/device-advice-reservoir-libraryregistration-383798360227

Litter Collection

Reservoir Frogs - Water Quality Testing Session

Friends of Edwardes Lake

Sunday 14 April and 5 May, 11am - 12pm

73-77 Leamington Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Join the Reservoir Frogs for the monthly water quality testing session as part of the Waterwatch program monitoring our waterways.

Further details online: https://www. friendsofedwardeslake.org/events

Sound of Being Journey

Oshun Yoga

Sunday 21 April, 2:30 - 4pm

$60

20 Gelliband Crescent, Reservoir VIC 3073

Join Elliot Treves, a Sound Healing Australia practitioner, for an immersive journey into the world of vibrational therapy.

Book online: https://www.oshunyoga.com.au/ special-events/sound-of-being-journey

The Country Doctor - Film Screening

Reservoir Library

Tuesday 23 April, 7 - 9pm

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Free showing of the French film The Country Doctor. Rated M.

Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com. au/e/the-country-doctor-french-film-screeningtickets-843996073977

Get Your Game On

Reservoir Library

Friday 26 April, 4 - 4:45pm

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

From card games to PlayStation, connect with friends in this friendly and supportive space. Pizza is provided for anyone who makes a booking!

Book online: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ get-your-game-on-tickets-666520198857

Star Wars Ice Skating Session

IceHQ

Saturday 4 May, 6:30 - 9:30pm

1 Blake Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

May’s theme for the evening ice skating session is Star Wars! Follow IceHQ socials to find out when tickets go on sale: https://www.facebook. com/iceheadquarters/

Conservation Walk and Talk: Discover the Darebin Creek

Norris Bank Tennis Club

Sunday 5 May, 10am - 12pm

135 McLeans Road, Bundoora VIC 3083

Join the Friends of Darebin Creek for an enlightening stroll along the creek.

Further details online: https://events.humanitix. com/conservation-walk-and-talk-series-discoverthe-darebin

After School STEAM Club

Reservoir Library

Thursday 9 May, 4 - 4:45pm

Free

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Join after school for fun crafts and activities with a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and maths) theme. Suitable for ages 5 - 12.

Reserve a spot online: https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/after-school-steam-club-reservoirregistration-517224481347

Garden Bed Weeding

Friends of Edwardes Lake

Sunday 19 May, 9am - 12:30pm

Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir VIC 3073

Volunteers needed to weed the Friends of Edwardes Lake garden bed. Meet at the notice board between the bridge and the playground.

Further details online: https://www. friendsofedwardeslake.org/events

Communicare Lunches

Reservoir Neighbourhood House

Every Monday, 12 - 1pm

Free

2C Cuthbert Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

Weekly chef-prepared lunch for visitors and health professionals on-site available to chat https://localfoodconnect.org.au/event/ reservoir-neighbourhood-house-communitylunch/?instance_id=153785

Trading card game tournaments

The Game Experts

Every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm

Flesh & Blood tournament on Mondays and Dragon Ball tournament on Wednesdays

944 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Ph (03) 9191 5155

https://fabtcg.com/locator/the-game-experts/

Ballroom Dance

Dance Action Melbourne

Every Wednesday, 6:30 - 9:45pm

35 Sturdee Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Join dance sessions and instruction run by Dance Action at Merrilands Community Centre. https:// www.facebook.com/danceactionmelbourne

Live piano shows

free entry

Ragtime Tavern

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 6 – 11pm

206 Tyler St, Preston VIC 3072

Ph 0418 557 650

https://ragtimetavern.com.au/shows/

Follow their Instagram account www.instagram. com/ragtimetavern/ to see which artists are performing each week.

Trivia

Nord Bar

641 Plenty Road, Preston VIC 3072

Every other Thursday from 7:30pm

Book online: https://nordbar.com.au/

Opa-cize

Every Thursday, 7:30 - 8:30pm, 12 Robb Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

$10 or free for children under 16

Join us on the dancefloor for Greek dancefitness, run by Sofie. No bookings are required.

https://www.opacize.com/classes/australia/vic

Movie Trivia

Audacious Monk Cellars

Last Thursday of the month from 7pm

128 - 130 Regent Street, Preston VIC 3072

http://www.audaciousmonkcellars.com.au/

Email audaciousmonkevents@gmail.com to book

Barefoot Bowls

Kingsbury Bowls Club,

Every Friday, 5 - 6pm

$10

181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083

Casual lawn bowling with drinks available in the Club.

https://kingsbury.bowls.com.au/play-bowls/

Darebin Parkrun

CT Barling Reserve

Every Saturday from 8am

880 Plenty Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

A free, fun and friendly weekly 5k community event. Walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate!

Register online: https://www.parkrun.com.au/ register/?eventName=darebin

Transition Darebin Food Swap

Reservoir Library

Third Saturday of the month, 10 – 11am

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Monthly meet-up to swap excess food, meet local folks, and talk about gardening and sustainability.

https://transitiondarebin.org/existing-projects/ food-swaps/

Monthly produce swap

Regent Community Garden

First Sunday of the month, 2 - 3pm

4 Robinson Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

Produce swap facilitated by Friends of Regent Community Garden

Further information can be found online https:// localfoodconnect.org.au/local-directory/71517/ regent-food-swap/ https://www.facebook.com/ FriendsofRegentGarden/

Darebin Creek - Maintenance Working Bee

Friends of Darebin Creek

Second Sunday of the month, 9am - 12pm

Meet at Kingsbury Bowls Club

181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083

As part of the Revegetating Darebin Creek Project, volunteers are needed to maintain plantings through weeding, mulching, removing guards and other activities.

Further information can be found online: https:// friendsofdarebincreek.org.au/events/archgibson-maintenance-working-bee/

Sunday Jazz Sessions

free entry

Ragtime Tavern

Every Sunday, 5 – 10pm

206 Tyler St, Preston VIC 3072

Ph 0418 557 650

https://ragtimetavern.com.au/

Nordie Comedy

Nord Bar, $15

641 Plenty Road, Preston VIC 3072

Last Sunday of the month from 6:30pm

Book online: https://nordbar.com.au/

Free bike checks

Reservoir Leisure Centre

Occur monthly, check dates at link below

2A Cuthbert Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

Book online https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/ free-monthly-bike-checks-reservoir-darebin-lovesbikes-tickets-273933571687