The Rezzadent - February 2023

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With a huge thanks to our volunteer contributors

Editor-in-Chief

Shannon McKeogh

Deputy editor

Viktoria Komornik

Our grouse designer

Delyse Baldwin

Our whizz-bang marketing guru

Vinisha Pulikkaparambil

Our clever illustrators

Rhiannon Poley

Nicole Robertson

Our wordsmiths for this issue

Viktoria Komornik

Nicole Robertson

Shannon McKeogh

Mitch Kuhn

Panda Sanders

Our social media legend

Eddy Urias

With massive thanks to our proofer and their smarts for this issue

Jenny Brown

By Nicole Robertson

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.

Acknowledgement is not enough but still important

About Us

The Rezzadent is a community publication that was created during one of Melbourne’s many lockdowns in 2021 and has continued since. Run completely by volunteers, we focus on light-hearted and positive stories that celebrate and embrace our neighbourhood and its delights and oddities.

OUT OF THE BOX

BEN HOUGHTON

Written by Camille Short

Have you ever met a composer for video games? If not, you might get lucky in Reservoir!

Ben Houghton has lived in Reservoir for three years. Ben spends his time thinking

about and experimenting with how to enhance the narrative in a game, and evoke the right emotions. He explained to me how composing for a game is different to composing for a film (which he also does). In a film, there is a static

storyline; you know exactly the emotion you want to evoke in what moment. You can be precise. Games on the other hand are a dynamic environment, the user has control (allegedly), and they may do unexpected things. You have to approximate, iterate, strategise and be pragmatic. This extra layer of artistry appeals to Ben, and I can see why. It is a lush blend of design, music and teamwork.

Ben mostly works on grant-funded Indie games and films. I like the sound of “Miska” by Umbrella Party Studios . Miska is a narrative-driven adventure game set in a National park in Victoria. You play as a woman reconnecting with a park she visited as a child. The narrative focuses on family, connection with place and nature restoration. You can get a sense of Ben’s style by listening to the sample tracks on his website ( https:// benhoughtonmusic.com.au ). There is something for every mood, conjuring epic quests in some tracks, funk and amusement in others. “Dirt Game Theme” and Ducky Bossa” are good examples.

An “indie game” is a game produced without the financial and technical support (and the constraints) of a large publisher, like Nintendo. They tend to involve small multi-disciplinary teams working together, with a focus on innovation, experimental gameplay, and often social concepts. Ben says he feels very at home in the Melbourne indie game scene, drawn in by both the creativity and pragmatism that characterises working on indie games.

Ben envisaged a career for himself as a game composer after attending a conference in 2017. He was a landscape architect, saxophonist and DJ at the time. The conference opened his mind to new possibilities and spurred him to enroll in a Bachelor of Applied Music (Composition) in 2020. That year he was awarded “Best Music/Film Score” at Deakin University’s “Visionnaire 2020”

for his work on “Love The Life You Live” (Wei Shi). Since then he has established his own freelance composition practice, and is chipping away at his dream to have a sustainable career. The Federal government's new National Cultural Policy “ REVIVE ”, which commits to reinstate the Australian Interactive Games Fund (cut by the Abbott government), is good news for Ben and others in the industry.

You might see Ben around Reservoir taking field recordings for games. So far he has used his storm water drain for a waterfall, magpies out the front of his house and Edgars Creek for ‘creek ambiance’. Otherwise, you might see him having a swim at the Leisure Centre, eating a banh mi from Luke’s or hunting for a bargain at Vinnies. Local parks are also reliable. I should know, we met (and I invited him to do this article) swingside.

Ben has opened my eyes to the world of indie-games. Maybe there is something there for me afterall. Some of Ben’s recent favourites include “ Frog detective ”, “ Disco Elysium ” and “ Outer Wilds ”. Thanks for the tips Ben, see you around Rezza.

THE MANY FACES OF RESERVOIR

ITALIANS

Words By Viki Komornik Illustration by Rhiannon Poley

It won’t come as a surprise that Reservoir has a high proportion of Italian speaking residents within its borders. In 2021, 13.9% of Darebin’s population spoke Italian at home compared to 6.6% in Greater Melbourne. Even higher in the Merrilands area of Reservoir, 34.9%.

James Matra and Antonio Ponto, both of Italian descent, arrived with Captain James Cook on his voyage of discovery in 1770. Convict Giuseppe Tuzo arrived with the First Fleet, but the first large group of about 4000 Italians arrived during the 1850s Victorian gold rush era. The numbers steadily started increasing in the early 1920’s.

I have a soft spot for Italy. While living in Budapest I visited the Venice festival a few years in a row, travelling close to ten hours on the bus, and hardly sleeping on the way back so I would not ruin my amazing carnival face paint before I could show my parents. Unfortunately as Venice was built on mud and reclaimed land, it has been sinking and the Mediterranean Sea levels are rising causing the city to flood every year. By 2100 it could be underwater, however I’m hopeful the city will be saved.

Image by Ashley Fontana, Pexels

The architecture is dreamy, stunning, I was taking photos of every building I passed. In the pre-digital camera era that was a lot of photos to print. I traveled extensively around Italy in my twenties, and still try to visit every time I’m back in Europe. Hey, living in Tuscany for a few months is on my bucket list. So yes, a soft spot indeed.

Based on the high number of Italian speaking residents in Reservoir, many of you will know more about Italy than I ever will, but below might be some interesting facts for everyone.

Italy is one of Europe’s youngest countries. Until 1861 it was a collection of sovereign states. You’d be easily forgiven to think Italy is an ancient country, as many believe that ancient Rome - Rome being over 2000 years oldis the same as Italy.

The colours in Italy's flag all have a meaning; Green is for hope, white denotes faith and red is the colour of charity.

When one travels in Italy it’s impossible to avoid driving through a mountain range. Alps border the north with jewellike alpine lakes and glaciers. The Apennines form the spine of the entire peninsula. Mountain ranges higher than 702 metres occupy more than one-third of Italy.

Then there is the sea or more accurately, the seas. Adriatic Sea to the West, Tyrrhenian Sea to the East and Mediterranean Sea in the South.

There are active volcanoes in the south that keep people on their toes. All three of Europe’s active volcanoes are in Italy. Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli. Vesuvius near Naples is responsible for the

Image by Rhiannon Poley

destruction of Pompei.

It’s a country with a complicated history, like most countries I guess. The world’s smallest country, The Vatican is located within Italy. The towns and cities have a long history of self-sufficiency, independence and apparently mutual mistrust. Cuisine and dialect also differentiates the regions.

The Etruscans - a pre-Roman civilisation from around 900 BC - lived in Tuscany, and the Greeks in the south before the Romans latinised the country. Jews arrived during the time of the Roman Republic, Germanic tribes came across the Alps and the Byzantines in the south. Saracens invaded Sicily until the Romans arrived and stayed for a couple of hundred years until the Aragonese, then the Austrians took over. This mixed ethnic heritage explains why you’ll meet light-eyed, blond Sicilians.

There has been a predominantly female migration from the Philippines and male migration from North Africa. The breakup of the Soviet bloc allowed for an influx of Eastern Europeans. The Post-Arab Spring revolution and the violence that followed sparked the arrival of hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa. The total population of Italy is 62.4 million (as of midyear 2021), two and half times of Australia’s.

There are the mafia movies which rightly or wrongly give the impression of plentiful shady things happening in Italy. Searching online you’ll find endless stories with facts presented about various mafia groups - the best known is the Sicilian Mafia - and corruption. Entertaining when watching a movie but less so, no doubt, when you live under their thumb.

Image by S. Migaj, Pexels

Now back to happier snippets of Italy.

Italy is packed with heritage sites, 55 to be specific, more than any other country. You definitely won’t run out of sites to visit once you are there. Although not on the heritage sites list, if you love wine visit Caldari di Ortona on the Italian pilgrimage route of Camino de San Tommaso. This small town has a free wine fountain, Fontana del Vino, that flows 24 hours a day with locally grown red wine.

Italians must be doing something right as Acciaronli, a village on the South coast has one of the world’s highest concentration of Centenarians. 300 of its about 2000 residents are over 100 years old and 20% of them are over 110. Definitely not the demographic the government based the pension scheme on :)

One of my family members could live on pasta. Literally. He appreciated the small fact the pasta dishes in Italy date back as far as the 400 BC. Historians found paintings in a pre-Roman Italian tomb thought to depict pasta making equipment.

Then there is the coffee. Melbournians can truly appreciate quality coffee but are unlikely to match the consumption of espressos of Italians. Fourteen billion espressos each year. Many may think of the French when thinking of quality cheese. Well, the Italians are right up there, gifting the world the highest variety of cheeses, with over 2,500 traditional cheeses.

What else has Italy given us? I’m definitely thankful for corrective eyeglasses invented in the 13th century and used mainly by monks. Santorio Dantorio invented the thermometer in 1612. Alessandro Volta invented the first batteries in 1800, ‘volts’ were named after him. Thankful or not the first bank, the Bank of San Giorgia opened in Genoa in 1149. Some things they even came up with twice. Like paving. Thanks to the Romans thousands of kilometres were paved then nothing for hundreds of years until 1339 when the city of Florence paved its street, becoming the first city in Europe to do so.

I don’t think there are enough pages in The Rezzadent to list all the art Italians have gifted to the world. Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo, Vivaldi, Pavarotti, Pisano, Collodi and the list goes on. Personally I find it overwhelming how much beauty and art surrounds the visitor every time I visit Italy.

So much beauty and so little time.

Image by Josh Hild, Pexels

HERE TO MAKE NOISE!

DECIBELS YOUTH MUSIC

Words and Photos By Mitch Kuhn

Walking into Reservoir library looking for a music studio sounds a little misguided. It's quiet, as you'd expect. I followed the signage to the first floor where Decibels Youth Music centre is housed. Still quiet. Turns out that due to the downpour occurring that day there was a small

turnout in the studios, one young person working on a project in the smaller studio B, two in the larger studio A.

I sat down with Rose, the director of the centre, and she was more than happy to share all the great work going on behind

those closed doors.

Decibels is a professional grade music studio, offering their gear and expertise to anyone aged 12 – 25, free of charge and full of heart. It features three separate spaces with multi-functional and interconnected capabilities, plus a communal kitchen and hangout area. Studio A is stocked with drums, piano, guitars, amps, mics, a computer to track your recordings directly, practically anything you could want if you're a budding music maker.

Studio B is a computer lab, with six work stations each with a small interface to work with, as well as a communal desk and a vocal booth plus more

instruments. Studio C is the main control room, with a computer, pre amps, many external effect units, studio monitors, mics and another vocal booth. All equipment is of the highest standard, all rooms and booths can be connected for ease of workflow, a testament to the effort put in to establishing the studio.

Rose tells me about the range of programs they run for the youth coming through. Their “Access” program runs Tuesday to Friday from 12.30 to 4pm. This is a slot reserved specifically for 1214 year olds, with terrific support from the staff alongside the young punters.

On Thursdays they host “ReZonate”, a beatmaking/hip-hop workshop from 4

to 6.30pm. Fridays there's “Turn Up”, a young women and gender diverse program that aims to create a welcoming and supportive space in which their musical projects can come to life. Outside of these, the facilities are available for general bookings, up until 6pm from Tuesday to Friday.

Alongside these, the centre also runs “FReeZA”, an event management based program on Wednesdays, from 4 to 6pm. This has been in operation since the 90's with funding provided by the state government, as opposed to all other funding which comes via the Darebin council. “FReeZA” allows young people to accrue key skills in events planning and management for any type of creative display, from gallery exhibitions to outdoor music festivals and many others in between.

Often these pathways and programs lead to further opportunities in the richly populated Melbourne music scene, be it as a performer, as part of a tech crew, an event planner, the list goes on.

This team of support officers I have been referring to are solid gold humans. I am making an assumption regarding two of them, Seth and Robin, as they weren't in the office during my visit, but if Rose and Dave are the examples being followed, then the creative youths of Rezza are in good hands. Dave is a youth arts development officer and has been at the studio for five years now. Being a professional musician aside from his responsibilities at Decibels means he is a trusted guide for the next generation of musical talent. The passion he exudes when speaking about his role working with the young community is electric.

Beyond the scope of simply being a publicly available music studio, Rose tells me that as part of the mentoring duties it sometimes becomes necessary to engage with other public services on behalf of the youths. If someone is

experiencing hard times, they can turn to one of these support officers and trust them to reach out to health services, social workers and any number of other organisations. They are a critical element in providing a safety network for youth experiencing difficulty.

If you've got kids, or know of a young person who is seeking an outlet for their creative expression, please get in contact with Decibels Youth Music. Or just show up, they don't turn anyone away, in their own words they try and bring new people into projects that are underway, especially if the person is still new. You can check them out at www. darebin.vic.gov.au/decibels , call them on (03) 8470 8003 or just front up! For as Rose puts it, they're a team that exists to, “Support young people in their music or creative pursuits. It's an inclusive, encouraging space for young people.”

DUSTY & MERCEDES’ GUIDE TO WINNING A BAR

Words and images by Panda Sanders

If you are a Reservoir local who loves a tipple, you’ve almost certainly spent a bit of time pounding the pavements of Plenty Road.

Nestled there, in this little nook of Reservoiran are a group of hospitality savants forging a new nightlife in our ever evolving suburb.

From piano bars, to burger joints to coffee and vinyl - Plenty Road is for hospo people with the drive and passion to create something new where little was before.

Once among these excellent establishments was a watering hole named Hard Rubbish, thrown together with gusto. Using an eclectic mix of bits and bobs, quite literally, picked up off the side of the road. And this was a joint that went HARD. Great cocktails. Cheeky banter behind the bar. Ice cold pints of craft beer on rotation. Until one day it didn’t, for no other reason than it was time to move on.

So what is it that a trail blazer does when they’re done with their bar and have set their sights on a new trail to blaze? Why,

they give it away. No catch. No con. Open season. Best pitch… Winner. Takes. All.

Which brings me to today, to a new bar. Hard Out. A familiar bar, now with emerald green walls dressed with work from local artists, some even for sale, and Dr. John spinning on vinyl. On the table in front of me sits a delicious cocktail and an ice cold beer.

Two young women stand behind the bar wrestling with scraps of paper and a lamp, creating a makeshift studio to snap some photos of an exquisite looking cocktail featuring Kurdish Arak, pausing occasionally to pour a beer or run a drink out to a grateful patron in the beer

garden.

These are the new owners: Dusty & Mercedes, hospitality stalwarts each with nigh on 15 years experience in the industry and the attitudes to prove it.

So was winning a bar always part of the business plan?

“Absolutely!” they both laugh enthusiastically, completely aware of how absurd that sounds.

“Owning a bar is something we’ve always thought about, but never actually considered a possibility.”

When Hard Rubbish went on the market (so to speak) there was only one thing to do. Go hard out.

“I didn’t know anything about it,” says Dusty “I’d just got home from a nightclub in Germany, got a message from Mercedes at whatever time and it was all on from there.”

The two had never discussed opening something together, having made friends from across the bar, and then working on the same side for the last few years. When the opportunity arose they simply thought it wouldn’t be the worst idea.

But it was the best idea. The best of the 37 submissions in fact.

Keeping much of the same spirit as its predecessor, Hard Out has been shaped into a dive bar for sophisticated degenerates. Bougie on the outside, filthy on the inside…in the best kind of way.

A fun, homely bar where the working class heroes of Reservoir can stop off on the way home for a drink.

“It’s for everyone,” Mercedes says adamantly when asked who the bar is for.

“If you want a drink and a chat, to sit in the corner and read a book or to spin some vinyl that’s what we want to be about. And we want it to be affordable, just because you’re working class doesn’t mean you don’t deserve nice things.”

It becomes clear why these two got their names on the lease, fierce passion. They’re not here to add another bar to a portfolio, or flip it for some easy money - they are here to make their mark, keep some of the ethos of old, but most certainly bring something new.

Then when their time is done, it’ll be them offering the next passionate and ambitious bartender the chance to become a publican.

Which brings us to their tip, for winning a bar:

“Fuck around and find out.”

AN END OF YEAR STREET PARTY LONG TIME IN THE MAKING…

WHO IS WHO IN THE HOOD?

We moved to our current home five years ago and have been super occupied with home renovation, starting school, lock down blues and life in general.

We occasionally met someone living in the street, started a chat, patted a dog, but didn’t really get a chance to hang out with most of them. That all changed at the end of last year when one of the other friendly residents Ali and I finally sat down, mocked up an invite and did a letterbox drop in our street and the two other blocks around us.

Our plan was full of unknowns. Should we make it two hours long or longer? What if no one shows up? Will others bring food? Can we close the street off for traffic and so on. Worst case scenario a few of us would just have a nice time hanging out.

The application was submitted then approved by the council, street closure signs were provided, enough chairs set up for everyone and one by one our neighbours started joining in.

Turns out, worrying was needless. Food was plenty and tasty. Some brought their specialties while others chose convenience. The weather was perfect and most importantly people showed up. There was fun and interesting conversation.

Our residents reflect the essence of Reservoir in general. Our neighbours come from all walks of life; teachers, builders, doctors, lawyers, artists, business owners, white collar, blue collar, born in Australia, born overseas, speaking multiple languages at home or English only.

Words by Viki Komornik Illustration by Rhiannon Poley

There was plenty we all had in common. We were all keen to meet each other and create meaningful relationships amongst ourselves. We all want our streets to be safe and green.

The end of the party also proved to be the beginning of something new. We all walked away with a fuzzy feeling in our hearts (speaking on behalf of everyone) and not just due to the drinks we had. Now we don’t just tentatively smile or wave to each other when walking past but stop for a chat. Our new WhatsApp group is perfect for offering up surplus garden grown veggies, warning everyone

of any suspicious activity, and my favourite bin night messages. We no longer need to sneak around to our neighbours’ bins to find surplus space when needed…

Cheers to our new chapter!

Image by Rhiannon Poley

LIGHT YOUR FUSE

Darebin’s multi-arts festival kicks off again in March. This unique festival is an awesome chance to celebrate and discover local artists with a mix of free and family-friendly events.

Below are some of The Rezzadent’s top picks, but you can find the full smorgasbord on the FUSE website fusedarebin.com.au

Out of the Park Picnic

Sunday March 12, 12-6pm, Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir, free

Revive with an afternoon of musical royalty at Out of the Park Picnic, a free celebration at Reservoir's most celebrated lake.

This year, join highly celcrated, ARIA-

nominated Noongar/Gumbaynggirr singer and songwriter Emma Donovan for soulful songs and powerful stories plus cult pop-mystiques Dorsal Fins, turntablist DJ Jumps of Cat Empire and more.

Image: Emma Donovan by Michelle Grace Hunder

International Women’s Day - Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration

Wednesday March 15, 6.30pm, Preston City Hall, free

Held annually by Darebin City Council for over ten years, the Social Justice Oration is a tribute to Darebin resident Molly Hadfield OAM, who worked tirelessly to advance women’s and seniors rights.

The evening's line-up includes artists and performers from the local multicultural, multidisciplinary arts community, as well as keynote speaker, Namila Benson, and our first teen orator, Zuva Goverwa.

Please note: this is a free event but registration is required.

Image: Namila Benson for our Social Justice Oration

Images by Wild Hardt

Meet the makers

Sunday 19 March, 12.30pm - 4.30pm, Preston City Hall, free

This long running and much-loved community event provides a unique opportunity to sample local wine and hear firsthand stories from the makers themselves. Within a lively, market environment in our beautiful Preston City Hall, this year we have also included a range of stalls from local artisan crafters.

Featuring live demonstrations from local foodies and wrapping up with a winemakers award ceremony, we are excited to present live music by local First Nations singer-songwriter Pirritu and the day will be MC’d by our very own and fabulous Masterchef contestant, Elise Pulbrook.

THINGAMABOBS

18, 19 March, 1pm & 3pm, Northern Community Church, Preston

THINGAMABOBS is an interactive space full of surprising machines and quirky contraptions. A kinetic installation bouncing between the absurd, the deeply human and the straight forward funny. Spectacular, silly, romantic… all thingamabobs have some story to tell! Some stories that are intrinsic to the machines, others collected from Darebin people.

Join us an entertaining tour for the whole family. See inventions that might change your life…of course for the better.

Image by Wild Hardt

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

Cr Julie Williams has been elected as Mayor and Cr Susanne Newton as Deputy Mayor for 2022-2023.

The election took place at a Council meeting held in the Darebin Town Hall on 30 November 2022.

Mayor Williams pledged to “Always advocate for the needs of the community, and to show respect to everyone and celebrate their differences.”

Mayor Williams also said, “I look forward to continuing to help deliver on our community vision and ensuring Darebin is an equitable, vibrant and connected community.”

Mayor Cr Julie Williams represents North Central Ward and Deputy Mayor Cr Susanne Newton represents West Ward.

FRESH FOOD at East Preston Community Centre

The Fresh Food Program provides free produce for Darebin residents.

The DIVRS Fresh Food Program is held every second Wednesday. Please bring a reusable bag for your produce.

Where: EPCC, 7 Newton Street Reservoir

When: Fortnightly from February 15 Wednesday

Time: 10.30 am - 12 pm

Newton Street Community Garden- Call for volunteers

Everyone is welcome to join the Newton Street Community Garden to volunteer in weekly gardening, harvesting and growing food for our local community!

The garden is open every day to the community for picking fresh herbs and

Councillor Julie Williams elected as Mayor of Darebin

swapping seeds at the Seed Library.

Where: 9 Newton Street, Reservoir

When: Wednesdays

Time: 9.30am-12pm

For more information contact EPCC at 8470 8107 or at epcc@darebin.vic.gov. au.

Summer of African Drumming and Dancing

Join in African Dancing and Drumming this summer in your local neighbourhood for our sixth session! Drums will be provided and everyone will be invited to drum and dance or just enjoy being part of your community again.

Please bring your own chairs, cushions and anything else you, your family and neighbours may need to gather, connect and enjoy together this summer.

Where: East Reservoir @ T.W Andrews Reserve - Corner of Strathmerton St and Fordham Rd, Reservoir

When: Friday 24 February (as part of the Summer Food Justice Festival) and Friday 3 March

Time: 6pm - 8pm

No bookings necessary - just come along and enjoy!

For further information, please contact

Jackie: 0401 458 401 or Jackie. Mansourian@darebin.vic.gov.au

Sally: 8470 8977 or Sally.Lay@darebin. vic.gov.au

Darebin Repair Café is back!

Local sustainability group Transition Darebin kicked off Darebin Repair Café

(DRC) in May 2018 with the help of Darebin Council.

It is a free service, run by volunteers, held every two months in venues around Darebin, where locals bring broken domestic items to be repaired as well as attend workshops such as furniture repair, death doula, lamp cord replacement, and sewing machine maintenance. Test and tagging for electrical items is also available with testers trained thanks to a Darebin Council grant.

Most repairers are still volunteering post lockdown which is a testament to the passion and strength of the DRC team.

In 2022 Transition Darebin collaborated with Span Community House and Darebin Hard Rubbish Heroes via a Sustainability Victoria grant to conduct the events, where 206 items weighing 293 kg were saved from landfill. DRC has saved 2.287 tonnes and 1198 items overall!

If you have fixing skills or would like to be on the DRC committee, email darebinrepaircafe@gmail.com. You can help keep the café's running by donating at an event.

Next repair café is 25 March 2023 at The Bridge, Preston. Check Darebin Repair Café Facebook page. Booking link posted about a week prior. Not on FB? – ask to join Transition Darebin Google Group transitiondarebin@googlegroup.com.

Summer Food Justice Festival

Join East Preston Community Centre at our free pop-up markets in East Reservoir and East Preston. Bring a bag for a range of seasonal fruit and veg. Meet your neighbours and local community organisations. There’ll be music, kids' activities, gardening tips, cooking demos and more.

Where: TW Andrews Reserve, East Reservoir

When: Friday 24 February, Time: 6pm - 8.30pm

African drumming

Where: Oakhill Food Justice Farm, Cnr Plenty Rd & Tyler St, Preston

When: Saturday 4 March

Time: 9.30am - 12pm

Compost workshop

Where: Reservoir Neighbourhood House, 2B Cuthbert Road, Reservoir

When: Thursday 16 March

Time: 10.30am - 1pm

Where: East Preston Community Centre, 7 Newton Street, Reservoir

When: Wednesday 22 March Time: 3.30pm - 6pm

Cooking demos, family services, kids activities & face paintin g

Where: Oakhill Food Justice Farm, Cnr Plenty Rd & Tyler St, Preston

When: Saturday 1 April

Time: 9.30am - 12pm

Compost workshop

Where: East Preston Community Centre, 7 Newton Street, Reservoir

When: Wednesday 26 April Time: 3.30pm - 6 pm

Cooking demos, Family services, kids activities & face painting

Social Morning

Join East Preston Community Centre for some fun in 2023. Meet your neighbours and speak with La Trobe nursing students regarding health concerns in a fun and safe environment. This program is for Darebin residents and is freeof-charge, with no need to book, and morning tea provided.

Activities may vary and include healthy cooking demos, Bingo, board games, trivia and puzzles.

Where: EPCC, 7 Newton Street, Reservoir

When: Wednesdays fortnightly starting 22 February 2023

Time: 10am - 12pm

Cost: Free, no booking required. Darebin residents only.

Join the Regent Community Garden in 2023!

4 Robinson Road, Reservoir, 3073

Friends of Regent Community Garden is an inclusive and welcoming place to connect with community, garden, socialise and grow a sustainable future. They are open Sundays from 1-4pm.

Regent Community Garden's first food swap and garden-to-plate cook up for 2023 is Sunday 5 February. Bring any excess herbs or produce you might have, take something home, or just come and say hello.

If you would like to be involved at the garden, you can volunteer for things like gardening, watering, weeding, helping to organise the workshops and events, poster design, letterbox drops and poster runs, or even helping set up for the day. Drop by any Sunday from 1-4pm or email friendsofregent@gmail.com.

See you in the garden!

Diabetes Support Group at EPCC

Meet and share with people who experience diabetes. Learn new skills and discuss new health information. Hear from health professionals and interesting guest speakers. All are welcome to call in to share a morning tea.

Where: EPCC, 7 Newton Street, Reservoir

When: First Monday of the month

Time: 12:45-1:30 pm

For questions contact Deb Thorpe at 8470 1111 or debra.thorpe@ yourcommunityhealth.org.au

Darebin's Road and Place Naming Policy- Have your say

The names of roads, bridges, waterways, sports grounds, parks and suburbs in Darebin tell important stories about our history, people and culture. But not all Darebin’s stories are being told as they deserve to be. First Nations People, women, people with disability, the LGBTQIA+ community and culturally diverse groups are underrepresented, and we want to make this right.

Darebin Council have updated their Place and Road Naming Policy to include new naming priorities that will better represent Darebin’s history, people and culture and tell the stories of our community now, and into the future. These naming priorities will apply to anything renamed, too. More than one naming priority may be applied when choosing a name.

They want to know what you think about the naming priorities. Do you support them? Do you have questions? Is there anything you’d like to see changed?

Find out more and complete the survey in your preferred language at Your Say from 30 January until 27 February.

https://yoursay.darebin.vic.gov.au/ placeandroadnamingpolicy

Parent-Child Mother Good Program

The Parent-Child Mother Goose is a free program for Darebin families with children aged 0-4 years. Priority of access is given to families holding a Health Care Card (or equivalent) or with concerns with their child’s communication abilities.

The program generates positive interactions between parents/carers and their children through rhymes, songs and storytelling. There are many benefits for children and families, including:

Strengthening family bonds

Providing children with positive early language and communication experiences

Developing knowledge of rhymes, songs, stories and tactile games

Providing opportunities for social skill development

Building social and community connections for families

When: Weekly sessions during school terms on Wednesdays 10am-11.30am and Thursdays 10am-11.30am

Where: Ruthven Community Room, Ruthven Reserve 24 Malpas St, Preston (corner of Donald & Malpas Street)

Bookings are essential:

Email: pcmg@darebin.vic.gov.au and include your name, mobile number, child’s name, child’s date of birth and how many adults/children will be attending the session.

Bringing up Great Kids- First 1000 Days

Bringing Up Great Kids - First 1,000 Days is for Darebin community members who are expecting their first child. Individuals, couples and non-birth parent/support persons are welcome to attend. The program builds understanding of development during pregnancy and up to the age of two years, helping raise children mindfully and establishing the foundation for respectful relationships –from the start!

Developed by the Australian Childhood

Foundation, this program is a partnership between Parentzone Northern and Darebin City Council.

This pilot program is part of the 'Equal from the Start Initiative' in Darebin, which aims to promote gender equality through child-focused, mindful parenting practices and respectful relationships in the community. Participants attend seven two-hour sessions.

When: Monday 13 February - 3rd April 2023 (7-week program). No session on 13 March (Labour Day)

Where: Thornbury Early Years Centre, 2A Raleigh Street, Thornbury

Time: 9.30 am - 11.30 am

Cost: Free

Bookings and enquiries to Parentzone Northern at 8641 8900 or parentzone. northern@anglicarevic.org.au.

Free Disability Support Training

Yooralla and Possability are offering a free introductory training program to help people understand more about what disability support work involves and find out if it is for them.

Applications are now being accepted for a 4-day program (starting in FebruaryMarch 2023) where participants will: learn about the types of disability support and person-centered approach get the qualifications they need for a disability support role, including first aid spend time interacting with people with disability in their home and community environments.

Find out more online, phone 03 8627 7985 or email amanda.moulding@ yooralla.com.au.

Figure Skating Workshop

from $80

IceHQ

1 Blake St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Saturday 25 February - Monday 27 February

Three day intensive program of figure skating run by internationally renowned coaches.

www.icehq.com.au/workshop

Topsy Turvy Trivia Night

$25

High and Wild

817 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Saturday 25 February, 7:30 - 10:30 pm

Trivia night fundraiser for community group Highway 1 Theatre Inc.

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/ products/tipsy-turvy-trivia-night

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/

Keeping Cool at Home and Saving Energy Free Reservoir Library

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Tuesday 28 February, 7 – 8pm

Join members of Darebin Council’s Climate Emergency team to learn how you can keep your house cool in hot weather!

Reserve a spot online: https:// www.eventbrite.com.au/e/keepingcool-at-home-and-saving-energytickets-491457682157

BeConnected Digital Learning SessionIntroduction to myGov

Free

Reservoir Library

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Wednesday 1 March, 10:15 - 11:45 am

Step-by-step session for people aged 50+ to learn how to set up and use a myGov account safely, link Medicare and other government services, claim medical expenses and control access to My Health Record information.

Reserve a spot online: https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/beconnecteddigital-learning-session-introduction-tomygov-tickets-495546993397

Deep Healing with Cacao, Sound & Reiki - Full Moon Edition

$88

Oshun Yoga

20 Gellibrand Crescent, Reservoir VIC 3073

Friday 3 March, 7:30 - 9:30pm

Revitalise yourself with an uplifting sound healing, cacao and reiki experience.

Book online: https://www.oshunyoga. com.au/special-events/deep-healingwith-cacao-sound-reiki

https://www.oshunyoga.com.au/

Drag Trivia Night

Free

Preston Library

266 Gower St, Preston VIC 3072

Thursday 2 March, 7 - 8:30pm

Abril LaTrene hosts two rounds of trivia themed on global pride across the decades. This will be a PG rated event.

Reserve a spot online: https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/drag-trivia-nighttickets-517259004607

{Wild} Life Drawing

$18

High and Wild

817 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Saturday 4 March, 3 - 5pm

Themed life drawing session guided by an experienced local artist.

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/ products/wild-life-drawing-lautrec-thedrunken-bourgeoisie

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/ Filled Pasta Class

$140

That’s Amore Cheesery

66 Latitude Boulevard, Thomastown VIC 3074

Saturday 4 March, 10am – 1pm

Hands-on cooking class for beginners. Learn to make balanzoni and ravioli from scratch.

Book online: https://thatsamorecheese. weteachme.com/classes/1042322-filledpasta-with-piera

https://thatsamorecheese.com.au/

Clean Up Australia Day

Friends of Edwardes Lake

Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir VIC 3073

Sunday 5 March, 10am - 1pm

Friends of Edwardes Lake are joined by the Bushlands Management team for this litter collection and litter sorting.

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

After School STEAM Club

Free Reservoir Library

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Thursday 16 March, 4 - 4:45pm

After school craft and activities related to science, technology, engineering, arts and math for kids aged 5 - 12.

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

Turkish Cooking Club

Free – registration essential

Friends of Regent Community Garden

4 Robinson Road Reservoir, VIC 3073

Sunday 19 March

Join Arzu for this entertaining cooking and cultural discussion workshop! Watch

and learn how to make lentil soup, Kisir, Turkish borek and baklava

https://www.eventbrite.com. au/e/turkish-cooking-class-freetickets-520113983927

Reservoir Frogs - Water Quality Testing Session

Friends of Edwardes Lake

73-77 Leamington St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Sunday 19 March and 3 April, 11am12pm

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

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

Device Advice

Free Reservoir Library

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Monday 27 March, 2 – 4pm

Free 20 minute one-on-one sessions with a Darebin Libraries staff member to help resolve your minor technical issues.

To book visit https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/device-advice-reservoir-libraryregistration-383798360227 or call 1300 655 355

BeConnected Digital Learning SessionUsing the Cloud

Free Reservoir Library

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Wednesday 29 March, 10:15 - 11:45 pm

Step-by-step session for people aged 50+ to learn how to use the cloud to back up and share photos and other important documents from your computer or mobile device.

Reserve a spot online: https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/beconnecteddigital-learning-session-using-the-cloudtickets-517234862397

Bad Bunnies Creative Festival

High and Wild

817 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Thursday 6 April - Sunday 9 April

A mini festival with performances, creative workshops, cocktail specials and bingo. Tickets can be purchased for the whole weekend or individual events.

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/ products/bad-ass-bunnies

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/

Barefoot Bowls

$10

Kingsbury Bowls Club

181 Dunne St, Kingsbury VIC 3083

Every Friday, 5 - 6pm

Casual lawn bowling with drinks available in the Club.

https://kingsbury.bowls.com.au/playbowls/

Trading card game tournaments

The Game Experts

944 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Ph (03) 9191 5155

Every Monday and Wednesday from 7pm

www.thegameexperts.com.au

Richie 1250’s Unlimited Love Lounge

Free Entry

K’nochen Joint

206 Broadway, Reservoir VIC 3073

Ph 0414 704 077

First Friday of the month, 5 – 11 p.m.

Music and DJ event held monthly

www.facebook.com/KnochenJoint/

Transition Darebin Food Swap

Free Reservoir Library

23 Edwardes Street, Reservoir VIC 3073

Third Saturday of the month, 10–11 a.m.

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

https://transitiondarebin.org/existingprojects/food-swaps/

Live piano shows

Free Entry

Ragtime Tavern

206 Tyler St, Preston VIC 3072

Ph 0418 557 650

Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 6–11 p.m.

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

ragtimetavern.com.au

Sunday Jazz Sessions

Free entry

Ragtime Tavern

206 Tyler St, Preston VIC 3072 free entry

Ph 0418 557 650

Every Sunday, 5 – 10 p.m.

ragtimetavern.com.au

Live music

Free entry

High and Wild

817 High St, Reservoir VIC 3073

Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights

https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/ https://www.highandwildbar.com.au/ pages/whats-on

Monthly produce swap

Regent Community Garden

4 Robinson Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

1st Sunday of the month, 2 - 3 p.m.

Produce swap facilitated by Friends of Regent Community Garden

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

Communicare Lunches

Free Reservoir Neighbourhood House

2C Cuthbert Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

Every Monday, 12 - 1 p.m.

Weekly chef-prepared lunch for visitors and health professionals on site available to chat

Men’s Circle

Darebin Intercultural Centre

59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston VIC 3072

Every third Thursday of the month, 56:30pm

Open Exchange is a place-based initiative committed to supporting men of all ages from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Further information can be found online: https://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ events-and-facilities/events/eventscalendar/2022/03/mens-circle

English Pronunciation Tutorials

Darebin Intercultural Centre

59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston VIC 3072

Every Friday excluding school holidays, 10 - 11:30am

Drop in tutorials to improve language skills in a safe, constructive and supportive environment.

Further information can be found online: https://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ events-and-facilities/events/eventscalendar/2022/03/english-pronunciationtutorials

Job Club

Darebin Intercultural Centre

59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston VIC 3072

Every Wednesday excluding school holidays, 12:30 - 2:30pm

Chat with a careers counsellor and jobs advocate to get support for job searching, resume writing and interviewing skills.

Further information can be found online: https://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/ events-and-facilities/events/eventscalendar/2022/03/job-club

Tapestry Classes

Free

Darebin Intercultural Centre

59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston VIC 3072

Every Monday

Free weaving classes open to women and girls from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds, women who experience family violence and those who live in isolation. All tools and materials provided.

Book by calling Rosa Vasseghi on 0423

060 989

Further information can be found online: https://www.darebin.vic.gov.au/

events-and-facilities/events/eventscalendar/2022/03/tapestry-classes

Bike checks

Free

Reservoir Leisure Centre

2A Cuthbert Road, Reservoir VIC 3073

Occur monthly, check dates at link below

Book online https://www.eventbrite. com.au/e/free-monthly-bike-checksreservoir-darebin-loves-bikestickets-273933571687

Illustration By Nicole Roberston