Very upset!

Peter Syrkiadis, appropriately called 'King of the Lagoon' by the Melbourne Weekly, is devastated. Last night, the dog drinking bowl [pictured here] that he designed and created was stolen. Every evening Peter would take the drinking bowl home, wash and disinfect it, before returning it to the Reserve in the morning. Since he has retired, he no longer has access to a workshop and materials to make a new one. It gives Peter joy to help others. Please thief - put it back! Anyone with information leading to the recovery of the bowl will be rewarded.

Port Melbourne Neighbourhood House rocks

The hot day did not deter the Port Melbourne Neighbourhood House from putting on a great Community Carnival today. In fact, I think it encouraged people to stay around longer in the cool of the House. Several people said how much they liked the size of it - 'not too big' - and the way the space was arranged to encourage interaction. There was always some shade to retreat to. Easy going music throughout the hot afternoon made a good atmosphere. People put a lot of work and flair into Port Melbourne and sun smart themed t shirts. The Neighbourhood House truly fulfils its role as a gathering place for all comers in Port Melbourne. There has been some discussion about setting up neighbourhood 'cool' places for extreme hot days. Today showed how such places could potentially work.

Focus on the Port Melbourne Neighbourhood House

This part of Liardet St will be closed to traffic but wide open to community on Saturday for the Port Melbourne Community Carnival. A highlight each year is the art workshop in the hall. Last year bags were printed, and this year it is a sun smart T shirt. Meanwhile there was a great feature on Stacey Hanley who runs Kitchen Survival Skills at the House in this week's Melbourne Weekly. There is always good food at the Carnival and Dig In - a programme of the Neighbourhood House - sell jams and preserves as well as the traditional sausage sizzle. Saturday 12 to 4 in Liardet St

Piers Festival

The Enterprize

Station and Princes Pier came alive with people in a celebration of multiculturalism. What were your impressions? I found that the limited car access made it pedestrian friendly, though for some people the walk was too much in the heat. I noticed that a shuttle - like those ones you get at airports - was also offered between the Piers.

'Taking tennis to the beach'

Had enough of the Australian Open? Has your favourite player bowed out? All the more reason to head down to the 6th Australian Beach Tennis Championships this Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 January from 9 to 4. Beach tennis is brought to Port Melbourne by Paul Mapley. He is wholeheartedly committed to the Porrt Melbourne community and health oriented local business. On the beach next to the TT Lines carpark walkway

Celebration in the Park

An enjoyable gathering of people, community groups and low key entertainment at Garden City Reserve for the celebration in and of the Park today. Congratulations to Port People who worked so hard to bring it about.

Olive's corner and the Social Justice Charter

It's raining - again. The rain is making every park look good and I thought that Olive's corner was looking especially fine when I passed. This small park and monument commemorate the life and work of Olive Zacharov. It is fitting to acknowledge Olive Zacharov on the day that the City of Port Phillip launched its Social Justice Charter because she was widely known and deeply respected for her work in this area. To read more about her life, work and the memorial, click here. Contrast today's picture with this image which shows the Bay/Liardet corner in 1999 - now PM's cafe and the gathering place for the Linking Neighbours group on a Wednesday morning. Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society suggest the image of the Bay/Liardet corner is more likely to have been taken in the late '70s or latest in the early '80s. Sounds right to me as I don't recall this corner looking that way when I arrived in Port in 1987. Teaches me not to be uncritical of sources.

Dig In Community Garden

'After some debate and much research, Dig In has become home to three very indulged chickens. They have attracted a lot of attention and have even managed to get their photo in Divercity. A small plot has been developed to grow their greens, although they are not fussy and will eat greens from anywhere!'* Dig In is a wonderful long arrangement of individually distinctive garden plots at Murphy's Reserve. With the support of other committed gardeners and chook guardians, Ann Rochford has ably guided the garden over many years - creating a community as flourishing as the garden. 

*Port Melbourne Neighbourhood House Annual Report

It's Melbourne - isn't it?

I generally avoid more than one post a day, but since the weather is such a contrast to yesterday, I had to note it. Also wanted to show this picture of the tail end of a colourful wedding procession in Bridge St, outside Guernsey House.

A lot to like

I like the people you meet, the conversations you have, the bike parking and the plants at Bunnings. Most of all, I like what the money raised at the weekly sausage sizzles makes possible in our Port community. Today it was the Port Melbourne Historical and Preservation Society but South Port Daylinks, Dig In and many other groups have hugely benefited from this generous opportunity. The Lions are a stalwart - often called upon if people drop out.

South Melbourne Market Day - doing wonders with waste

Nine waste streams are recycled from the Market - cardboard [see the cardboard crusher], green waste, fish offal, meat and chicken offal, cooking oil, food before its use by date and commingled recycling. The Market's food stalls also provide food to Second Bite, a charity that diverts food from landfill to people who need it. This year, just under 10 tonnes of food was donated to Second Bite, producing 19,620 meals and saving 8.7 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

Reporting season - Annual General Meetings [AGMs]

That wonderful community organisation South Port Day Links held their AGM today. The fundamental work of SPDL is to enable people, regardless of their situation, to participate in community life through their programmes of community transport, Petlinks, Garden Mates and Walk Mates.
The gathering of members for the purposes of reporting, election, and recognition of contribution and achievement is an important part of the calendar of community organisations. I am so impressed by how professionally groups approach their reporting obligations and forward planning responsibilities. I would like to acknowledge committee of management members - their contribution in the governance role is under appreciated, in my opinion. If you haven't been on a committee before I encourage you to join as an ordinary member. If you've been on a committee for a long time, look out for new people to join. A balance between renewal and continuity works well. Our Port Melbourne community is a more interesting, inclusive and generous place through the work of these community organisations. Geoff Ellis, continuing chairperson of SPDL, is in awe of the contribution of SPDL volunteers, has made new friends and learned hugely along the way.

First food swap in Port Melbourne

Transition Towns Port Phillip hosted a food swap from locally grown produce at today's SkillsFest in Bridge St. Would you be interested if a fresh food swap like this happened more regularly? Transition Towns is a world wide network of people taking many local actions to support thriving, healthy and connected communties that are better able to respond to challenges like climate change and peak oil. These food swaps are going strong north of the river. You can contact TTPP at transitiontownportphillip@gmail.com or find out more about what they do at http://transitiontownportphillip.groupsite.com

Sunday evening - looking back and forward

I realise I mention events that are ahead, but don't report back on how they went. Well - the downpipe disconnection demonstration was well attended. When it started to rain we sheltered under the tent and much interesting conversation about Port Melbourne history was shared. The Blessing of the Bikes made space for bike riders as well as those who may be more ambivalent about them. Gasworks was our back/frontyard with Deborah Conway easing through the afternoon. Now to think ahead: Monday night's Historical Society meeting on Crime in Sandridge pre 1851 sounds so interesting - but I will be at Council. Then on Thursday it's the Port of Melbourne Community Information Evening from 6.30. Can you let me know how it works when I post more than one photo?

Sunday around Port

Blessing of the Bikes: SouthPort Uniting Church: Bridge St: Port Melbourne: 10 to 10.30 - a time for reflection and prayer for people and their bikes as well as a time to remember anyone affected by bike accidents - such as the one witnessed by many in Bay St a few weekends ago

Spend the afternoon at Gasworks with Deborah Conway and Willy Zygier, supported by the Mood Swing Chor: 1 to 4 [Wet weather back up in place]

The day we have been waiting for

On this perfect morning, David Davis, the Victorian Minister for Health, announced that Claremont and SouthPort have been successful in securing the St Vincents site in Napier St for a new high care aged care facility. There was gratitude and appreciation all round for the efforts of Martin Foley, Council, dedicated committees of management and community members who have worked for so long to get to this point. Co-chairs Lyn Allison of SouthPort and Peter Manger of Claremont, thank the Minister. For more detail, read here.

A diverse and energetic Seniors Festival Program

The Seniors Festival has been hectic. Every day there is something excellent on. Wednesday's panel 'Can we be ageless?', chaired by Peter Couchman, elicited lively contribution from the audience around feelings of invisibility associated with ageing, loss of identity with the end of paid work, and the need for transition planning to retirement. Father Bob provoked and challenged, cautioning people to watch out for 'invasive negative thoughts'. Aunty Caroline Briggs spoke powerfully of the role of stories in connecting the generations. This photo of the Share and Care Variety Entertainers was taken at the Community Ball held at the South Melbourne Town Hall last night. The RAAF Band got even the most reluctant dancers to their feet. Tomorrow the Life in Port Phillip photo exhibition opens at the Camera Club at 1 pm [cnr Ferrars & Dorcas St] and on Sunday at 2 pm guests will read from Port Phillip Writes at St Kilda Library. Refer to the full program for even more activities.

Seniors Festival begins

The Seniors Festival kicked off with a beautiful Tea Dance at the Town Hall with music from the Police Band. The people pictured here are members of Port Phillip's Older Person's Consultative Committee - including Michael Gibson, Liz Robson and Maureen Smith - who have helped create the great program - copies are at the Port Town Hall or on line here.

A place from which to watch the world go by

The space around Port Melbourne Uniting Church is being reshaped to create a green quiet space alongside the productive vegetable garden. There will be new and safer pathways, a colourful wave wall, places to sit in sun or shade and plants of different colours and textures including some fruit trees. The paths will include inlays representing water flowing to the Bay and a small labyrinth walk for personal meditation and prayer. The church congregation invites you to use the space as a place to rest, reflect, meet friends or just watch the world go by.

Liardet Childrens Centre - further delay

The Heritage Council of Victoria has written to Council advising that the hearing for heritage registration of the Lady Forster Kindergarten has been adjourned from 29 September to 28 October.