DANDENONG Park will come to life with music, joy and the glow of candles.
There’ll be traditional and contemporary carols, Santa, the great Christmas Gizmo, live performances from children’s entertainment group The Workers, Justin Peters, Emma Kate Tobia, and Rebekah and Thomas Parker and more.
Food will be available on-site. Bring a rug, candle and picnic.
– Dandenong Park, Pultney Street, Dandenong. Friday 19 December, 7.30pm. Entry is free.
Cricket stars in Casey
THE Melbourne Stars Casey Family Fun Day is back for a third year in 2014, with some of the best cricketers in the country expected to attend the event.
Casey Mayor Mick Morland has encouraged residents to bring their family and friends along for the occasion. Cameron White, Kevin Pietersen, David Hussey and James Faulkner are all expected to be there for the big day.
– Sunday 14 December at Casey Fields from 10am to 3pm. For more information, visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/arts-leisure/melbournestars or www.melbournestars.com.au.
Community carols
THE Endeavour Hills Community Carols are fast approaching so don’t miss out.
– Saturday 13 December from 5pm to 9pm at the South Eastern Christian Centre, 2-8 Gleneagles Drive, Endeavour Hills. For more information contact the South Eastern Christian Centre on 9700 2314.
Welcome to sing
THE Doveton Community Carols will take place this month, and everyone is welcome!
– Saturday 13 December from 6.30pm to 9.30pm at 2 Frawley Road, Eumemmerring. For more information contact Paul Llewellyn on 0424 178 897.
Kinder enrolments
ENDEAVOUR Hills Neighbourhood House is now taking enrolments for three- year-old pre-kinder for 2015.
– The Endeavour Hills UC Neighbourhood Centre is located on the lower level, 10 Raymond Boulevard. For bookings and information phone 9700 3789.
Neighbourhood classes
THE Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood House is holding classes in meditation, jewellery making, both kids and adult classes, beginners’ computer, Zentangle art and Make Your Own Dreamcatcher.
– Endeavour Hills Neighbourhood Centre, 10 Raymond McMahon Boulevard. To enrol for term four phone 9700 3789.
Computer classes
THE Hallam Community Learning Centre is holding computer courses for the community. People can participate in courses for beginners and seniors, studying Windows 7 and 8, Word, internet and email. Subsidised iPad and comprehensive computer administration courses are also available.
– Hallam Community Learning Centre, 56 Kays Avenue, Hallam. For more information phone 9703 1688.
New members call
HALLAM Senior Citizens Centre is open Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.
Members enjoy carpet bowls, bingo, games, club room events and day tours.
New members are welcome to pop in and enjoy a game of bowls or bingo to see what the club is like.
– For further information contact president Paul Lorenzo on 9703 1068, or secretary Dorothy Mickelson on 9796 7580.
Save the date
THE Casey Kids Carnival will be held next year. Stay tuned to the City of Casey website www.casey.vic.gov.au for more information on this upcoming free event, which includes rides, children’s entertainment, local performers, market stalls and much more.
Make a wreath
SISTER artist duo Clare and Kate James will demonstrate making wreaths and Christmas decorations.
All materials will be provided.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Tuesday 9 December, 10am to 1pm. Participation is $10. Bookings are essential. Phone 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Game On
THE Game On Basketball Program is for 12 to 25-year-olds who enjoy basketball and breakdancing.
Participants can join in the casual basketball games with their own team or join another team and there’s a large stage for breakdancing rehearsal.
City of Greater Dandenong’s Youth Services runs the free program.
– Noble Park Community Centre, Memorial Drive, Noble Park. Mondays, 4.30pm to 7pm, except public holidays. Call 9793 2155 or Facebook message www.facebook.com/cgdyouthservices for more information.
Rare plants
THE Heritage Hill gardeners have planted some rare and significant plants towards the front of the Laurel Lodge gardens.
Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the gardens or can arrange to visit as a group.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm and Sunday noon to 4pm. Phone 9793 4511 to book.
VIEW club
BERWICK Springs VIEW Clubs meets on the third Monday of the month.
– Meeting start at 11.30am, for a noon start at Cafe Lucia, 264 Clyde Road, Berwick. New members welcome.
Those who would like more information can register their interest with Patricia on 8786 5557.
Evening VIEW club
SUMMER is approaching and Berwick Evening VIEW Club will be taking a break to be part of it.
– Berwick Evening VIEW Club, third Monday of the month, 7pm, Central Hotel Beaconsfield, with booking and inquiries via Kaye on 9769 7762, or Jan on 9705 9009.
Human rights
THE free inaugural Human Rights Oration, Women and Minorities event will recognise Human Rights Day.
Zakia Baig is the Australian Hazara Women’s Network president and recently returned from a UN-sponsored Minorities Fellowship Programme in Geneva, Switzerland.
She will speak about the issues and rights of minorities globally and within Australia.
– Dandenong Library, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Monday 15 December, 1.30pm to 3pm. Call Biljana Komnenovic on 8571 5265 for more information.
Carols in the wards
CHRISTMAS carols will be performed by a roving choir and musicians at Monash Health hospitals next week. The event was organised by Aus Audio Visual Arts Association.
Monash Medical Centre, Clatyon, Monday 15 December, 6.30pm; Casey Hospital, Berwick, Tuesday 16 December, 6.30pm and Dandenong Hospital, Wednesday, 17 December, 6.30pm. Details from Vajira Ekanayake on 9795 7445 or 0401 178 436.
Market Christmas fun
THERE’LL be free Christmas activities and entertainment at Dandenong Market.
– Dandenong Market, Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Sundays 14 and 21 December, all day.
Christmas in the square
ELVES, reindeer, Tubby the Christmas Robot, The Great Christmas Gizmo will roam Dandenong Civic Square and Lonsdale Street with festive activities.
– Fridays 12 and 19 December, 11am to 1pm. Saturday 13 December, 11am to 3pm. Saturday 20 December, 11am to 2pm. Monday 22 December, 11am to 1pm. Tuesday 23 December, 11am to 2pm. Wednesday 24 December, 11am to 1pm.
Orchids on show
DANDENONG and District Orchid Club holds monthly meetings with orchid flowering competitions, guest speakers, potting demonstrations and plant sales.
Attendees can socialise after the meeting with a light supper provided.
– Agricultural Society Admin Building, Greaves Reserve, Dandenong. Friday 12 December, 7pm for an 8pm start. Membership is $20 per year. Meetings are not held in January. Email menew@bigpond.com or call Ron Daniell on 0412 188 263 for more information.
New Year’s Eve Square
INAUGURAL New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Dandenong Civic Square will include music, performances, games and a grand fireworks finale.
– Dandenong Civic Square, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 31 December, 5.30pm to 9.30pm. Phone 8571 1000 for more information.
Nine by five art
THE 9 by 5 exhibition commemorates a display held in Melbourne in 1889, which introduced the Impressionist style to Australia on nine by five inch cigar box lids. This exhibition will feature work from 103 artists.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. 5 to 20 December.
Nativity time
THIS annual traditional Christmas Nativity scene is growing each year.
– St Elizabeth’s Parish, 107 Bakers Road, Dandenong North. Until 11 January. Free. For opening hours or to arrange a tour, visit stelizabethsparish.org.au, call Cheryl Hayes on 9795 6217 or call Wilson Fernandez on 0428 927 110.
Make a wreath
SISTER artist duo Clare and Kate James will demonstrate making wreaths and Christmas decorations. All materials will be provided.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 9 December, 10am to 1pm. Participation is $10. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Interfaith Network Tour
THIS tour will visit places of worship across Greater Dandenong.
– Wednesday 10 December, 8.45am to 3pm. The $25 ticket includes transport plus the Many Faiths, One People booklet. Bookings are essential. Visit www.interfaithnetwork.org.au or call Helen Heath on 9546 8441 for more information.
