Casey Relay for Life
RELAY for Life is a fun and moving overnight experience that raises vital funds for the Cancer Council’s research, prevention, information and support services.
– Akoonah Park, Berwick, Friday 13 March. For more information contact Michael McKenzie on 1300 656 585 or visit casey@relayforlife.org.au.
Fun for Casey kids
THE free Casey Kids Carnival is a free day of activities for children of all ages. The event will include live performers, rides, interactive games, roving entertainers, face painters, art and crafts and live animals. Aimed at children aged up to 12 years old and their families, the Casey Kids Carnival will promote accessibility, showcase arts and craft activities, encourage physical activity, open-ended learning and safety and create active community ties.
Expressions of interest for volunteers at the carnival are currently being sought. Volunteers would be required for a variety of roles from 11.30am to 2.30pm or 2.30pm to 5.30pm.
– Akoonah Park, Berwick, Saturday 21 March. For more information contact City of Casey Customer Service on 9705 5200.
Art Space is open
ONE of Casey’s new art spaces is getting set to host two exhibitions in one space as part of a new and exciting council venture. The Civic Centre Art Space will host the artworks and Mayor Mick Morland encourages the community to come along and experience some local talents.
– Civic Centre Art Space, Casey Council Offices, Narre Warren, until Friday 27 March.
Rock in the Park
THE bucolic country setting of Lardner Park, just out of Warragul in Gippsland, about an hour and a half’s drive from Melbourne, will rock to the sounds of some of Australia’s best known musicians. Lardner Park, best known as the venue for one of Victoria’s biggest agricultural field days, is rapidly becoming the site for many interesting events and this time will present Rock in the Park amid its usually peaceful undulating paddocks.
– Lardner Park, from 1pm to 6pm on Sunday 1 March. Tickets are available online at $59 per adult through www.trybooking.com/115893, or at the gate on the day at $65 per adult.
Business breakfast
THE Casey-Cardinia Business group will host its first breakfast for the year next month. Former chef and food critic Matthew Evans will share his knowledge and experience with guests.
– Wednesday 11 March at the Cranbourne Racing Club, Grant Street, Cranbourne. The breakfast will kick off at 7am until 9am and tickets are $55 per person, or $700 for a table sponsorship. Registrations close Friday 6 March.
The secret of success
THE secrets of business success will be revealed by local leaders at an intimate forum at the Cardinia Cultural Centre. This is a not for profit event, with all surplus funds going to the 4Cs Crisis Relief Centres.
– Cardinia Cultural Centre, Wednesday 18 March, 6pm to 8pm, cost $25, including tea, coffee and biscuits. Registrations are essential at http://solbr.eventbrite.com.au.
Spirituality and Earth
ANNE Boyd from EarthSong will talk about Rachel Carson, a marine biologist, author and nature-lover.
Carson is considered the founder of the modern environmental movement for challenging the practices of agricultural scientists and the government.
– The Open Door, 110 Ann Street, Dandenong. Wednesday 25 February, 5.30pm to 6.30pm. A $5 donation is suggested. Places are limited. Call Trish or Jo on 9791 8664 or email theopendoor@ssjg.org.au to book.
Through artists’ eyes
ARTISTS in residence at Heritage Hill will show off Dandenong through her eyes – their favourite locations for art, culture, food and inspiration.
Motoko Katsuta Kitano and Marynes Avila will lead the February and March tours respectively.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Fridays 27 February and 27 March, 11am. The tour is $5. Lunch is extra. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511.
Oil painting
JACQUI Stockdale’s oil painting class will teach composition, form, perspective, colour-mixing and paint application.
The experienced teacher will use traditional and contemporary techniques and share some trade secrets. The workshops are suitable for beginners to intermediate participants, aged 15 and over.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Robinson and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 28 March, 10am, and Saturday 11 April, 9am. $30 per person, including materials. Bookings are essential. Call 9706 8441.
Artist-in-Residence Showcase
THIS exhibition celebrates the talent, concepts and projects of last year’s Heritage Hill Artists-in-Residence.
The artists worked with textiles, sound and voices, performance artists, paint, installations and multimedia.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Opening event on Friday 20 February, 6pm to 8pm. Book on heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au. The exhibition will run from 20 February to 24 April.
Global food extravaganza
DANDENONG Market will host the World Food Fare with cuisines and entertainment influenced by some of the world’s most important river systems.
There’ll be outdoor hawker market stalls, canopied stands, bain maries, hot and cold offerings, sizzling hot plates, sweets and savouries and cooking demonstrations in The Kitchen.
Entry is free and free parking is available.
– Dandenong Market, 16-46 Cleeland Street, Dandenong. Sunday 1 March, 10am to 7pm.
Cutting crime
CRIME Stoppers CEO Samantha Hunter will be the guest speaker at Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch’s meeting next month.
There will be time to ask questions.
– Paddy O`Donoghue Centre, rooms three and four, 18 to 34 Buckley Street, Noble Park. Wednesday 18 March, 7.30pm to 9pm. A light supper will be provided. Call Dawn on 0407 325 030 for more information.
Green thumb tour
HERITAGE Hill will host monthly tours exploring the Benga gardens, which were originally planted and maintained by Dorothy Hart, and the Laurel Lodge gardens.
The tour includes the recent introduction of some rare and significant plants. A picnic will follow.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 19 February, noon to 2pm. Participation is $8 or $6 for seniors. Bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
Art on show
GABI Mika-McNaughton’s new exhibition 42.65528°S, 146.58750°E will feature forest landscape paintings.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until 28 February. Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
Searching for truth
THE Befuddled exhibition will feature new collage works by Eddie Botha.
He was born and raised in South Africa and is trying to find his place in his new Australian home.
– Walker Street Gallery and Arts Centre, corner Walker and Robinson streets, Dandenong. Until 28 February. Monday to Friday, 11am to 5pm and Saturday, 11am to 3pm.
Stayin’ Alive
THE Australian Bee Gees Show is returning for a new show, The Past and Present Tour.
It looks at the careers of the brothers Gibb through song and multimedia and will feature two parts and costume changes defining the eras.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 25 April. Visit www.drumtheatre.com.au or call 8571 1666.
Tea and history
THE Heritage Hill historic precinct features three preserved buildings in two acres of landscaped gardens.
A tour takes in the gardens, Laurel Lodge and Benga Lodge and is designed to provide an insight into the families who lived at the property and Dandenong’s rich cultural history.
Bookings are essential as numbers are strictly limited.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historic Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 26 February, noon to 2pm. The tour is $16, or $14 with a seniors’ discount. Call 8571 1702 for bookings or more information.
Baby Bounce
THIS free early literacy program is designed to help children aged under two explore language through stories, songs and rhymes.
It can help them develop motor skills confidence and is an opportunity for parents to socialise.
– Dandenong Library, level two, 225 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong. Wednesdays until 25 March, 10.30am to 11am. Call 1300 630 920 for more information.
The King in concert
ELVIS To The Max is on its way to Dandenong, with The King impersonator Max Pellicano taking centre stage.
His tributes have been described as ‘Elvis resurrected’ and his costumes include exact replicas made by Elvis’s tailor.
– Drum Theatre, corner Lonsdale and Walker streets, Dandenong. Saturday 7 March, 8pm. The show is 150 minutes with an interval. Tickets are priced from $40.
Evening in the Park
WETLANDS are important to the environment and this evening event will explain why.
A snake awareness session and guided wetland walk is included.
– Tatterson Park, Westbrook Drive, Keysborough. Thursday 19 March, 6pm to 8pm. Bookings are essential as places are limited. Call 8571 1702.
Jewellery workshop
EMMA Grace will guide participants through jewellery-making using weird and wonderful materials to create a charm bracelet and earrings.
All materials are provided and the workshop is suitable for beginners.
– Heritage Hill Museum and Historical Gardens, 66 McCrae Street, Dandenong. Thursday 24 March, 10am to 1pm. The session is $10 and bookings are essential. Call 9793 4511 or email heritagehill@cgd.vic.gov.au.
