Annual Events Program

To celebrate Victorian Seniors Festival and Seniors Month this October check out the 2019 Darebin Springtime Community Events booklet which is full of free and low-cost events and activities, designed for older adults, their friends and families to enjoy. From community lunches, gardening and craft activities to music, dance and fitness - there is something for everyone and something happening right across Darebin! View the booklet online or pick up a copy from Council's Customer Service Centres, libraries, and various community venues from from 20 September.

Darebin Springtime Community Events launch 
Thursday 3 October, 10.30am - 12pm 
Preston Market (near the food section)

To launch this year's Springtime Community Events during Seniors Month, we are delighted to invite older adults, their families and friends to this special event. There will be giveaways, have a go at Zumba, learn about Council's new aged care Navigation Service, plus much more!

Also happening in Seniors Month is free public transport for Victorian Seniors Card holders from Sunday 6 October to Sunday 13 October across all metropolitan and V-Line services and Reservoir Leisure Centre is giving away free passes to some of its exercise classes.

For further information email AgeFriendly@darebin.vic.gov.au or phone 8470 8888.

Darebin Libraries

The following Darebin Libraries activities are suitable for children aged 5 to 12 years unless otherwise specified.

Make a Scarecrow

When: Monday 23 September

Time: 10.30am – 12pm

Location: Preston Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

 

Be a part of the Thornbury Scarecrow Festival this spring. Make a scarecrow and be in the running to win the annual Darebin Libraries Scarecrow Prize!

 

Harry Potter Trivia Showdown

When: Tuesday 24 September

Time: 2.30pm – 3.30pm

Location: Northcote Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

 

Are you an expert on the young wizard. Quidditch, Hogwarts and all things Harry Potter? Join the trivia showdown, with the Scene It game, prizes and more!

 

Bikes! Storytime for Families

When: Wednesday 25 September

Time: 10.30am – 11.30am

Location: Preston Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

Suitable for children aged 2-8 years.

 

Bikes, bikes bikes! We're launching the new bike tune-up station at Preston Library with a bike-inspired storytime and unicyclists from the Westside Circus!

 

Make a Scarecrow

When: Thursday 26 September

Time: 10.30am – 12pm

Location: Fairfield Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

 

Be a part of the Thornbury Scarecrow Festival this spring. Make a scarecrow and be in the running to win the annual Darebin Libraries Scarecrow Prize!

 

Dreamcatcher Craft

When: Monday 30 September

Time: 10.30 – 11.30am

Location: Reservoir Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

 

Make a dreamcatcher!

 

Bridge Building Craft Workshop
When: Tuesday 1 October
Time: 10.30am – 1pm
Location: Reservoir Library
Booking: Book online or call 
Cost: Free - Bookings essential
Parents/guardians are required accompany children at the workshop.

All aboard the train and bridge building craft workshop at Reservoir Library.

 

Wild Action Show

When: Wednesday 2 October

Time: 10.30am – 11.30am or 12pm – 1pm

Location: Reservoir Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

 

Meet our endangered native animals and learn how you can help protect their habitats.

 

Dreamcatcher Craft

When: Thursday 3 October

Time: 10.30 –11.30am

Location: Preston Library

Booking: Book online or call 1300 655 355.

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

 

Make a dreamcatcher!

Darebin Arts Centre

Location: Cnr Bell St & St Georges Rd, Preston VIC 3072
P: 8470 8282

You Should Be Dancing Minis  
Presented in association with Melbourne Fringe. 

When: 21 September - 22 September, 2019

Time: 10am (45 minutes no interval)

Cost: $20 tickets. $40 family pass (2x children, 2x adults)

Booking: Book online

Bring the whole family to You Should Be Dancing MINIS  a fun, participatory and inclusive show for all abilities that gets tiny dancers and their adults grooving! Children aged 5 – 12 years will delight in the easy to learn choreography as will parents, grandparents and carers, while the mini minis (under 5yrs) are welcome to bounce about and enjoy too.

East Preston Community Centre

Location: 7 Newton Street, Reservoir 3073
P: 8470 8107
E: epcc@darebin.vic.gov.au

Please note that parents/guardians must supervise children at all times during the school holiday activities held at the East Preston Community Centre.

Sam Starr's circus class
When: Monday 23 September
Time: 10am –  10.50am (children 5 and under)
          11am –  11.50am (children 6 and over)
Booking: Call 8470 8107 or email epcc@darebin.vic.gov.au
Cost: Free - Bookings essential

Classes will explore the physical concepts and disciplines that go in to learning circus tricks. There’ll be plenty of fun to be had with things like juggling, plate spinning and hoola hooping.

 

Family Friendly Yoga

When: Friday 4 October

Time: 10am – 11am

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

Booking: Call 8470 8107 or email epcc@darebin.vic.gov.au
This workshop is suitable for children aged 5 - 10.

 

Come along for our Children + Parents Yoga session where we will explore and connect to the foundations of yoga in an educational, fun and inquiry-based environment.

 

Zumba - Music, Rhythm & Beats

When: Wednesday 25 September

Time: 10am – 11am

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

Booking: Call 8470 8107 or email epcc@darebin.vic.gov.au

This session is suitable for children aged 5 - 10.

 

Giving children an outlet to jump, dance, shake, and swing their hips, it’s the perfect recipe for some holiday fitness fun. This will help children gain coordination, self confidence, overcome fears, learn about teamwork, and much more.

 

Coco Movie (PG) and Masks

When: Wednesday 2 October

Time: 10am – 12.30pm

Cost: Free - Bookings essential

Booking: Call 8470 8107 or email epcc@darebin.vic.gov.au

 

The rebellious Miguel, a 12-year-old Mexican boy and hopeful musician, is unable to understand the family's continuing ban on all music, especially when his icon and the greatest guitar player to ever live, the deceased Ernesto de la Cruz, is the town's hero. However, an inadvertent mistake on the sacred Day of the Dead will magically transport Miguel to the distant and bustling Land of the Dead, where the scoundrel skeleton, Hector, will lead the way through the vibrant underworld to help the young trespasser find a missing ancestor. But can they do it before sunrise? 

Afterward the movie there will be an opportunity for some art and craft, DIY mask making.

 

Darebin Intercultural Centre

59A Roseberry Avenue, Preston

Please note that parents/guardians must supervise children at all times during the school holiday activities held at the Darebin Intercultural Centre. 
The Centre is access friendly.

French themed Movie and Munch
Date: Tuesday 2 July 
Time: 10am – 1pm
Location: Pearl Room, First Floor, Intercultural Centre
Bookings: Book online here
Cost: Free - Bookings essential

Please join us for a French themed experience as we join a little Rat named Remy in the film ‘Ratatouille’. It wouldn’t be fair for you to leave on an empty stomach, and what’s more French than a croissant? After the film we will have a table of croissants with lots of different fillings for you to feast on. There will be French themed craft activities too!

Traditional Aboriginal Games and Fun Entertainment
Date: Thursday 4 July
Time: 11am – 12pm 
Location: Preston Shire Hall, 286 Gower Street, Preston
Bookings: Book online here
Cost: Free - Bookings essential

You can try your luck at a game of Weet Weet (a Traditional Aboriginal Game), blend a Maccas meal to catch out the sneaky ingredients and create your own superhero. Wear comfy clothes and shoes to get moving in.

Kids No Lights No Lycra with an intercultural twist
Date: Thursday 11 July
Time: 10am – 10.45am (2 – 5 year olds)
    11am – 12pm (6 – 10 year olds) 
Location: Pearl Room, First Floor, Intercultural Centre 
Bookings: Book online here
Cost: Free - Bookings essential

This special edition of 'No Lights No Lycra' will allow children to develop confidence by improvising their own style of movement in a safe environment. Under fun disco lights, they can dance without inhibition to a diverse range of music from many different languages and cultures of Darebin. Refreshments provided.

Keon Park Children’s Hub

Location: 1-7 Dole Avenue, Reservoir 3073
P: 8470 8022 E: keonpark.childrenshub@darebin.vic.gov.au

Community Lunch and Gardening
Date: Friday 20 September
Time: 12pm – 3pm
Location: Multi-use Room, Keon Park Children’s Hub
Bookings: No booking required however you can register for a reminder on Eventbrite.
Cost: Free
Suitable for children aged seven years and older. Adult supervision is required.  

Join us for lunch and help us plant some vegetables in the community garden bed. The lunch is halal, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available. We will have veggies and herbs ready to plant in the edible community garden; we just need the communities help and expertise. Bring along any home grown produce!

Movie time: Rio (G)
Date: Tuesday 24 September
Time: 2pm – 4pm

Date: Friday 4 October
Time: 2pm – 4pm

Bookings: Book online or call 8470 8022.
Cost: Free - Bookings essential
Suitable for children aged six years and older. Adult supervision is required.  

Rio tells the story of Blu, an exotic pet bird who goes on the adventure of a life time. There will be popcorn and fruit, hot beverages and cushions to sink into.

Traditional Aboriginal Games
Date: Tuesday 1 October
Time: 1pm – 2pm
Bookings: Book online or call 8470 8022.
Cost: Free - Bookings essential
Suitable for children aged seven years and older. Adult supervision is required.    

In addition to the Council run activities listed on this page, there is also a range of Outside School Hours Care and Vacation Care programs operated by independent organisations across Darebin for primary school children during the holidays. Click here for a full list of holiday programs.

Taking place over 8 days from 20–27 October 2019, the annual Darebin Music Feast will encompass 85 events across 20 different venues, thoughtfully curated to showcase a swathe of artists and musicians who represent and reflect the rich and culturally diverse community of Darebin.

Underpinning the curation of this year’s program is a commitment to welcoming and celebrating music makers and lovers of all ages. Over half of the events in the 2019 program are free to attend and nearly a third are open to people of all ages, including the major opening and closing events. As in 2018, attention has been given to ensuring broad representation within the cohort of curated artists, across gender, race and age.

To read this year's program, and to find out how to get involved, visit the Darebin Music Feast website.

 

National Aboriginal Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) is an important time on the National calendar of events. This year the NAIDOC theme of ‘Voice. Treaty. Truth. Let’s work together.’ Voice. Treaty. Truth. were three key elements to the reforms set out in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. These reforms represent the unified position of First Nations Australians. This year’s theme also celebrates the importance of working together for a shared future. Learn more about NAIDOC at https://www.naidoc.org.au/

What's on during NAIDOC Week in Darebin:

Mantra Bell City: Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony

Join us to celebrate NAIDOC week with an Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony at the Mantra Bell City Hotel on Monday 8 July. The Aboriginal flag will fly at Mantra Bell City for 2 weeks commencing Monday 1st July to Sunday 14th July (consecutively) and consistent with National NAIDOC week protocols. There will be a Welcome To Country by a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and speeches by Darebin Mayor and Aboriginal community Elders. Light food and tea/coffee will be provided. 

Event details:
Date: Monday 8 July 2019
Time: 10-11.30 am 
Location: Mantra Bell City Hotel, 215 Bell Street, Preston VIC 3072
No RSVP required

Darebin Libraries: NAIDOC Yarnbomb Smoking Ceremony & Morning Tea

Darebin Libraries will be celebrating the completion of their community project, the NAIDOC Week Yarnbomb at Preston Library with Elders from Gurwidj Neighbourhood House will be be conducting a smoking ceremony. Come along to view the installation created in the colors of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. The smoking ceremony will be followed by morning tea. Please BYO cup! 

Event details:
Date: Tuesday 16 July 2019
Time: 10.30-11.30am
Location: Preston Library, 266 Gower Street Preston VIC 3072
More information on Eventbrite

 

Darebin City Council has a long-standing commitment to supporting and advocating on the rights of newly arrived, refugee and asylum seeker communities in our municipality.

In 2018 Darebin Council was one of 15 Australian Councils that showed solidarity with refugees by signing the UNHCR Global  Statement of Solidarity with Refugees. To date, 138 cities around the world have now signed the Cities #WithRefugees solidarity statement and UNHCR is hoping to increase this to 200 cities and update their Cities of Light page with fresh storytelling from cities that have demonstrated exemplary inclusion. 

#WithRefugees is the continuing 3-year theme for Refugee Week 2019 in Australia, bringing a fresh focus to celebrating through sharing food and stories from around the world.

In 2019 Darebin Council will commemorate the contribution of refugees and asylum seekers during Refugee Week by hosting the following free activities:

Location	Event	How to book
Darebin Intercultural Centre	Free to Feed: A night of cooking and connection over dinner FREE Tuesday 18 June 6.00pm – 9.00pm Hosted by ‘Free to Feed’ – this cooking experience is an amazing way to learn about and celebrate traditions, memories and stories.	Register here.
Darebin Intercultural Centre	Film Screening: Hope Road – ‘A world of stories’ from around the globe (PG) FREE Wednesday 19 June 6.00pm – 9.00pm A film which shares a powerful and uplifting story about a refugee from the Sudanese civil war struggling against the odds and caught between two worlds.	Register here.
Preston Library	Film Screening: Border Politics documentary (PG) FREE Thursday 20 June 7:30pm-9:15pm In this film, leading human rights barrister, Julian Burnside AO, deconstructs harsh asylum seeker policies around the world, arguing that failure in political leadership is compromising human rights and destroying democratic principles in the West. Download the flyer here.	Register here.

On Thursday 8 March, individuals, organisations and governments around the world commemorate International Women’s Day.  This day exists to celebrate the social, cultural and political achievements of women but also as a day to raise awareness and take action against gender-based discrimination and violence.

The City of Darebin celebrates international women’s day with special events and activities which take place throughout the municipality during the month of March.

Our key event to celebrate International Women's Day is the Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration. This is a free public community event held annually in celebration of International Women’s Day. The event is a tribute to well-known Darebin resident Molly Hadfield OAM who worked tirelessly to advance women’s and seniors rights throughout her life. The oration will be delivered by widely published Australian writer of Afro-Caribbean descent, Maxine Beneba Clarke. The evening will also include MC, Lorraine Ngwenya, and performer, Dear Matilda.

 

 

The Darebin Community and Kite Festival – Darebin’s largest annual festival – returns to Edwardes Lake Park, Reservoir on Sunday 24 March 2019.

This year’s festival coincides with Cultural Diversity Week, Victoria’s largest multicultural celebration, which encourages Victorians to come together to celebrate our multicultural heritage and identity.

 

Darebin is one of the most diverse communities in Victoria and is home to people from more than 153 countries who speak 148 different languages. About one third of Darebin’s population was born overseas.

 

In keeping with the themes of Cultural Diversity Week, this year’s Darebin Community and Kite Festival will once again represent the many different cultures that make up the fabric of Darebin.

 

Festival-goers will have the chance to make their own kite to fly on the kite-flying field, as well as enjoy other favourite activities including face painting, storytelling, live music, dance and arts activities, delicious international food and creative arts workshops.

 

The ever-popular Pet Expo is also back, featuring a Pooch Parade, education sessions on responsible pet ownership, competitions and free show bags. There will also be the chance to meet rescue groups, vets, animal behaviourists and dog obedience trainers.

 

Darebin Community & Kite Festival

Edwardes Lake Park
corner Edwardes and Griffiths Streets, Reservoir
Sunday 24 March 2019, 11am-4pm, Free

For more info or to find out how you can get involved visit the Darebin Arts website.

IDAHOBIT also affirms the strength, resilience and contributions of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Questioning (LGBTIQ) people and their families, allies and supporters. In Darebin, we are proud of our diverse community. As the closest level of government to the community, we believe that we have an important role in challenging homophobia, biphobia and transphobia and promoting social inclusion and human rights for all, regardless of sexuality, sex characteristics or gender identity.

We recognise that discrimination can have serious negative consequences on the social and emotional well being of our residents. We are committed to strengthening community cohesion and connectedness by celebrating diversity and promoting respect for all. Darebin Council will celebrate IDAHOBIT 2019 with a rainbow flag raising ceremony and community morning tea.  Everyone is welcome. The flag will fly for one week and Northcote Town Hall will have a night time rainbow illumination.

Event details:

Date: Friday 17 May 2019

Time: 10am – 11am

Meet: Outside Darebin City Hall, 284 Gower St Preston

Download the event flyer.

See Darebin Libraries website for additional events.

Council acknowledges the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer communities of Darebin.  We are committed to combating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.  

 

 

 

A new annual event on the Darebin calendar, this special day recognises and celebrates First Nations peoples and the wider Darebin community.

The dynamic First Nations program, co-designed by the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee, will feature a Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Welcome Ceremony with performances by the Djirri Djirri Dance Group and local primary school students, followed by a live music program headlined by Isaiah Firebrace.

The event was conceived in response to Darebin Council’s commitment to respecting and celebrating First Nations People, and engaging with Darebin's diverse community, including established and newly arrived communities, to raise community awareness and understanding.

Wattle Day, 1 September, was suggested by the Darebin Aboriginal Advisory Committee as a suitable day to hold the inaugural event as it conjures the optimism, colour and abundance of spring, as well as Australia’s environment and history. The first celebration of Wattle Day in Melbourne was held on 1 September 1910. 

Event Program

The host for the event is Uncle Jack Charles.

Opening Ceremony - Darebin Arts Centre

All Darebin residents, old and new, are invited to be officially welcomed onto Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung country.

12.00pm          Opening Performance  

12.20pm          Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Welcome Ceremony with Uncle Bill Nicholson and Djirri Djirri Dance Group

Celebration

A chance to share your own story and meet other Darebin residents. Featuring a live music program, food stalls and face painting.

Following the Opening Ceremony, these Celebratory activities below will take place in the Ray Bramham Gardens (directly behind the Darebin Arts Centre), weather permitting. In the event of inclement weather, the full program of events will take place inside the Darebin Arts Centre.

1.20pm            ‘Spirit’ performance by Isaiah Firebrace with local primary school students

1.30pm            Brothers in Arms

2.00pm            Kee’ahn

2.45pm            Isaiah Firebrace & Band

Isaiah Firebrace school workshops and performance

Young vocal prodigy, Isaiah Firebrace is now one of Australia’s most successful artists. He won The X Factor in 2016 at just 17 years old, was signed to Sony Music and in 2017 represented Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest, finishing ninth. His debut single ‘It’s Gotta Be You’ was the highest streaming song of any Australian artist in 2018. 

As part of his national ‘Spirit and Beyond’ tour and leading up to Ngulu Nganjin, Isaiah will run workshops entitled ‘Beyond’ with eight Darebin primary schools. In the workshops, Isaiah will talk about his journey and how he overcame diversity to reach his dream. Students will also learn Isaiah’s new single ‘Spirit’, which will then be performed by the students alongside Isaiah at Ngulu Nganjin.

Want to get involved? Download the ‘Spirit’ lyrics and sing along on the day!

This event is for the entire Darebin community.

Read more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Darebin here.

Sunday 1 September 2019
12.00pm to 3.30pm
Darebin Arts Centre and Ray Bramham Gardens — corner Bell Street and St Georges Road, Preston
Transport: Bell Station or Bus 513. On-site parking available.
Entry is free.

This event will be Auslan interpreted. 

View the event flyer.

National Sorry Day is an Australia-wide observance held on May 26 each year. This day gives people the chance to come together and share the steps towards healing for the Stolen Generations, their families and communities. Stolen generations refer to Indigenous Australians who were forcibly removed from their families and communities.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June and commemorates two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. The week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how each of us can join the national reconciliation effort.

This year, Darebin City Council is recognising and celebrating Reconciliation Week with community-event screenings of Reconciliation themed films at Darebin Libraries:

Film: Occupation Native
Date: Tuesday 28 May
Venue: Preston Library
Time: 6:45-8pm
Register on Eventbrite
 
Film: Connection To Country
Date: Wednesday 29 May
Venue: Northcote Library
Time: 6:45 – 8pm
Register on Eventbrite
 
Film: We Don’t Need A Map
Date: Thursday 30 May
Venue: Preston Library
Time: 7 – 8:30pm
Register on Eventbrite

Darebin's Cycle Angels will be stationed at Bike Repair Stations en route to provide a helping hand. Say hello and ride away with fully inflated tyres and a reflective Darebin Loves Bikes ankleband.

We encourage workplaces across Darebin to host a breakfast or morning tea to celebrate the event. Let us know your plans and your workplace could win a Bike N Blend tandem smoothie bike package, and you'll receive a Darebin Loves Bikes reflective ankleband. To register your workplace email darebinlovesbikes@darebin.vic.gov.au before 30 September 2019 

If you'd like to ride to work but you need help with your on-road bike confidence or bike maintenance skills, join a low-cost Bike Skills Workshop this spring.

Riding a bike is fast, convenient and fun. There are many other benefits of riding to work, such as:

• Improving personal health and wellbeing 
• Saving money on petrol and public transport fares 
• Reducing congestion on our roads
• Alleviating parking pressures
• Minimising greenhouse gas emissions

Employers are recognising that a bike-friendly workplace is a great way to attract and retain staff, reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and reduce their corporate carbon footprint. 

Find out how to make your workplace bike-friendly.

The Backyard Harvest Festival has inspired home gardeners since it first began in 2011. Home food gardens are open for tours and workshops, to help build a strong sense of community around homegrown and homemade food. Information about the 2020 festival will be released late in 2019.

 

Click here to fill out the on-line Expression of Interest form or visit any Customer Service Centre to request a hard copy version. 

 

 

This free event features performances from local choirs, music, community market stalls, sausage sizzle and more! Bring a picnic, your best singing voice and celebrate Christmas with your community.

For more information, visit Carols in All Nations.

As one of 78 state-wide providers, the FReeZA program also provides important performance opportunities for local musicians and emerging artists to showcase their talent through competitions such as the Victorian FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands.

All FReeZA events are fully supervised, drug, alcohol and smoke-free.

http://www.facebook.com/DecibelsYouthMusic/

For complete details about our forthcoming programs see the  July - December 2019 Parenting Seminars Calendar.

BOOKINGS: Bookings are essential as places are strictly limited, so book now. (Bookings for each session will be available about 5-6 weeks before the event).

Loud Mouth takes place on school holidays at Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, with occasional events also held at Northcote Town Hall. For a full listing of events, please visit the Darebin Arts website.

www.facebook.com/pages/Darebin-Arts-Loud-Mouth

A rolling series of participatory arts projects and events to delight locals, inspire visitors, and bring people together through sound, illustration, music, dance, food and play. Join us as we explore and celebrate the unique character of this thriving northern suburb. All you have to do is head True North.

To find out more, visit True North Arts.

The Speakeasy program is presented at Northcote Town Hall and features artists from across Melbourne and beyond.