community diary

By KATH GANNAWAY

CFA art project
WARBURTON CFA is challenging creative community members to turn a helmet into a work of art as part of their centenary celebrations. The helmets and fire extinguishers will be auctioned to raise funds for the brigade. Phone Liela on 0417 345 552 or Chris on 0414 999 446 to collect a helmet or extinguisher. Deadline for artwork is 3 May.
Football history
A DISPLAY depicting the history of the Healesville Football Club is on show during March at Healesville Library. Local football historian Robert Nolan has put together a fascinating collection of memorabilia and ephemera including original photos from the 1920s and earlier, trophies and other collectible items. Phone 5962 4423.
U3A Speaking
HEALESVILLE and District U3A has places available for an eight-week course for people 50-plus who are looking to improve their public speaking skills. Phone Heather Higgs on 5962 3772 or email jhhiggs@bigpond.com to book.
Minimarket
WHYLD will hold minimarkets at Woori Yallock on 5 March, Hoddles Creek on 12 March, Yellingbo on 19 March and Launching Place on 26 March. Call 5964 6857 or visit www.whyld.org.au
Challenging Prejudice
INTERNATIONAL Women’s Day will be celebrated on Thursday 5 March, with a lunch at Mechanics Hall, Warburton, from noon to 3pm. Speakers Tiani Zia-Kane and Robynne Mauger will speak on the theme ‘Challenging Prejudice”. All welcome. Please take along a plate to share. Gold coin donation would be appreciated. Phone 0439 039 171.
Beyond Blue fundraiser
WANDIN Valley Nursery in Wandin is part of Garden Releaf Weekend on 7-8 March, with events and autumn gardening celebrations raising funds for Beyond Blue. See www.gardenreleaf.com.au
Princess Evie fun day
A FAMILY Fun Day at Gallipoli Park in Marysville on Sunday 8 March will raise funds to help ‘Princess’ Evie Gleeson and her family who are fighting leukaemia. There will be activities, food and music from 10am, showbags, fairyfloss, a pie-eating competition and more – including a bunch of brave locals who will take part in the World’s Greatest Shave. $10 per person or $25 for a family. Phone Leah on 0422 702 956.
HotShot Tennis
HEALESVILLE Tennis Club is running a six-week free Hot Shots Junior beginner tennis program on Thursdays, 3.30pm to 4.45pm, in March and April. Phone 5962 3639.
Healesville Library
MARCH workshops making a poppy as part of the 5000 Poppies project at 1pm on Thursday 5 March, a free event, and Uncooking with Raw Products at 1pm on Thursday 12 March. Cost $3. Phone 5962 4423.
CWA Craft
THE Yarra Valley CWA Craft Group will hold an embroidery and craft exhibition at Warratina Lavender Farm from 7 to 22 March. The exhibition will be open daily from 10am to 4pm for the opportunity to browse and buy beautiful works. Entry $2. Phone 5964 4650
Bush Poet
THE Triangle Arts Group and Buxton Primary School are hosting a night with Jim Brown, Australian Bush Laureate, poet and raconteur for a night of original poetry, verse and song at the Buxton Hotel. Mr Brown’s award-winning poem The ANZAC on the Wall, will be read as part of the show on Thursday 5 March. Phone 5774 7341 or 5774 7381 to book.
Instrumental String classes
YARRA Glen Living and Learning Centre is offering classes in violin, viola or cello, for children and/or adults, beginners to advanced. Learning through Celtic and Classical music styles with Jane, a classically trained strings teacher with many years of experience as a professional violinist and teacher in Europe and Australia. Phone 9730 2877.
Hot Rod Meet
FEEL the freedom; share your dream car at the Freedom By Design Hot Road and Car Meet at Healesville RSL on Saturday 7 March. Raise funds for a Maxi Taxi in the Yarra Valley. Food and drinks available. Phone 0499 773 393.
Art Show
THE Yarra Glen Art Show will be held in the Yarra Glen Memorial Hall over the March long weekend, 6 to 9 March.
Visit info@yarraglenartshow.com.au for details.
Fashion stakes
BLUMES Autumn and Winter Ladies’ Fashion Collection sale is on Thursday, 12 March, at 2pm at St Brigid’s Hall, 15 High Street Healesville. Entry $5. Phone Marie on 5962 3794 or Irene on 5962 4632.
Telecom Joe
LOCAL band Telecom Joe will head a great Freedom By Design fund-raiser at Healesville RSL on Saturday 14 March. Great music, trivia, raffles, give-aways and a courtesy bus. The event will raise money for a Maxi Taxi in the Yarra Valley. Phone 5962 5017 to book.
Looking for ‘Brown Mouse’
HEALESVILLE resident Rosemary Boyd is looking to buy a copy of Frank Jennens children’s book ‘Brown Mouse’, published in 1947, for a cross-generational children’s literature project. Anyone with a copy they can bear to part with can contact Ms Boyd at rosie_boyd@yahoo.com.au
Lilydale Airport Tour
YARRA Glen Living and Learning Centre will host a tour of Lilydale Airport on Tuesday 10 March. The airport has been operating for 46 years and offers flying training, business flying and weekend or extended flying tours. Gold coin donation on the day. Call 9730 2887 to register interest.
Harvest Market
QUALITY craft, fresh produce, food, activities and free entertainment will be on offer at the Wandin North Primary School harvest market on Sunday 15 March, from 9am to 2pm. Stallholders welcome. Phone 5964 4259.
Cancer fundraiser
A CANCER Awareness event will be held at the Warburton Senior Citizens Club on Monday 16 March, from 10.30am. Funds raised will go to the Yarra Valley Ladies in Pink to support their work with people who have, or have had, cancer. Bookings are essential, and donation very welcome. Phone Barbara Matsaers on 5966 9137.
Festival of Chillis
THE Herb and Chilli Festival is on in Wandin on the weekend of 14 and 15 March. Great food and music, cooking and fun for the kids. www.herbchillifestival.com.au .
Ecotopia Festival
ECOTOPIA Junction Community Festival will celebrate ‘Home-Grown in the Yarra Valley’ at Yarra Junction on Sunday 22 March. A feast of food and live music children’s activities, stalls and the famous (infamous) recycled fashion parade.
Meditation
LEARN simple steps to create calmness and relaxation in in mind and body. Demystify meditation and understand what mindfulness is. Tuesdays, 2pm to 3pm, at Yarra Glen Living and Learning Centre. Bookings essential. Phone 9730 2887.
Rock Berry Jam
WANDIN East Reserve will rock on 21 March when a great line-up of bands come together for Rock Berry Jam. www.rockberryjam.com.au
Patchwork
THE Patchwork Collections Friendship Group will be having their Annual Quilt Show on the weekend of 21 and 22 March from 10am to 4pm at 7 Maddens Lane, Coldstream. Raffles, Devonshire teas and a trading table will help raise funds for the Royal Children’s Hospital. Phone 0404 317 840.
Grants Expo
DIG for local treasure and unearth funding opportunities for your Yarra Ranges project at the Yarra Ranges Council’s Local Grants Expo. Mooroolbark Community Centre from 3pm to 7pm, Monday 23 March. Call 9294 6335.
Tennis Cup
WARBURTON Tennis Club will host the Warburton Cup on the weekend of 29-30 March with a junior event on Friday 28 March. Visit www.tennis.com.au/warburtontc
Line dancing
BEGINNER line dancing classes for all ages are held at the Yarra Glen Uniting Church Hall on Monday mornings, and will commence on Wednesday afternoons from 4 March. Phone Lu on 0438 735 122.
Farmers’ Market
PERMACULTURE Yarra Valley group holds the Healesville Organic Farmers’ Market every Saturday from 8am-1pm in Coronation Park, River Street. Fresh organic produce, seedlings, honey, sourdough bread, coffee and tea, olive oil, preserves, soaps and wooden toys are available.
Playgroup
SEVILLE Community House has vacancies in its Monday and Tuesday morning playgroup sessions from 9.30am to 11am. Phone 5964 3987 or email info@sevillecommhouse.org.au to book a place.