Annual Events Program

It begins on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (November 25) and ends on International Human Rights Day (December 10) to emphasise that violence against women is a violation of human rights.

The campaign coincides with the Victoria Against Violence 16 Days of Activism campaign which supports the state government’s broader efforts of state wide behaviour change advertising campaign and public awareness campaign.

Each year, Council celebrates these campaigns with a range of community events.

Our 2018 events will be listed here shortly.

If you are affected by family violence, contact the National Counselling Helpline, Information and Support on 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732). If you are in immediate danger, call the police on 000 (triple zero).

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. This is detailed in our International Women's day 2018 Calendar of Events. 

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 gender transcendent diva, cabaret artiste, jazz singer and community activist, Mama Alto. The evening will also include MC, Sherry-Rose Bih, and performer, Violet Tolhurst.

Thursday 8 March, 6:30 - 8pm at Northcote Town Hall. Registrations via Eventbrite

Other events in March 2018: 

• Saturday 3 March 10am - 12.30pm, Women's on Wheels: Bike Skills Workshop. Registrations via Eventbrite
• Wednesday 7 March 7pm - 8pm, Breaking the Silence: Feminist Writers Festival at Preston Library. Registrations via Eventbrite
• Thursday 8 March 10am - 11.30am, Morning Tea with Aseel Tayah at the Darebin Intercultural Centre. Registrations via email or call 8470 8440

For more information:

Contact Council's Preventing Violence Against Women Officer - Community.Wellbeing@darebin.vic.gov.au or call 8470 8522

It is a fun, free and immersive festival that offers a broad range of performances, workshops, community stalls, a pet expo, food and beverages, and of course, kite flying!

Gather your family and friends, bring a kite if you have one (or make one on the day!) and come along and celebrate with the Darebin community.

The next Darebin Community and Kite Festival will be held in 2018.

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.

On May 15 2017, Council resolved to raise and fly the rainbow flag at Preston Town Hall in solidarity with the LGBTIQ community until marriage equality legislation is passed by federal parliament. The flag was raised on IDAHOBIT Day on 17 May 2017.

Further information about diversity in Darebin. 

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. The dates commemorate 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.

Each year, Darebin City Council recognises and celebrates these significant dates through a number of events across Council.

National Sorry Day 2017 - Leave a message
This year community are invited to leave a message in the commemorative Sorry Day book on display in the foyer of Council’s Customer Service Centre at 274 Gower Street, Preston, during business hours throughout National Reconciliation Week. The book will be presented to the National Sorry Day Committee. People are also invited to view the Stolen Generations Marker located outside Council officers on High Street, Preston for a moment of reflection.

Held in various locations across Darebin, this week-long program features workshops, seminars, demonstrations and special events, culminating in a ‘meet the makers’ showcase where you can enjoy free wine tastings. You can also enter your own homemade wine, passata, ajvar or olives into competition.

The Darebin Homemade Food and Wine Festival will next take place mid-2018.

For more details please visit the Darebin Arts website or subscribe to our What's On fortnightly e-newsletter to receive updates in your inbox.

NAIDOC Week 2017 celebrations:

Darebin City Council together with the Aborigines Advancement League invite you to join us in celebrating NAIDOC Week with an Aboriginal Flag Raising Ceremony. All are welcome to this free and open event to celebrate and share in the rich and thriving culture, history and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. 

Date: 3 July 2017
Time: 10 - 11.30am
Location: Mantra Bell City Hotel (215 Bell Street, Preston)

Ride2Work Day will be held on Wednesday 17th October, 2018 

Ride2Work Day is Australia's biggest celebration of bike riding and the perfect opportunity to try riding to work. Join thousands of riders across Darebin already on their bikes and experience the difference riding can make to your day. 

RIDE2WORK DAY COMMUNITY CELEBRATION 

The City of Darebin is collaborating with Wecycle, our local volunteer-run community bike-shed, to co-host a community celebration. 

Join hundreds of other bike-riding locals for food and drink, music and entertainment, plus give-aways and prizes.
Local mechanics will be on hand to give your bike a free tune-up, and local Police will be offering bike-engraving services.

Wednesday 17th October
From 4pm - 7pm
Batman Park (Cnr St Georges Rd & Arthurton Rd, Northcote)

Want to volunteer and offer your services at our Ride2Work Day celebration? Contact Wecycle at: http://www.wecycle-melbourne.com/join-us/

FREE BREAKFAST BOXES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES

All local businesses that register for Ride2Work Day with Darebin Council receive a FREE BREAKFAST BOX to be shared amongst employees on Wednesday 17th October.

Workplaces will also receive posters, riding information and bike-riding give-aways, plus a special thank you gift for every workplace co-ordinator.  

If you’re a local business owner, take the lead and encourage your staff to ride. If you’re an employee, ask your boss to lend their support.

It’s free and easy to register - simply go to Ride2work Day 2018.
Registrations close Wednesday 10th October, 2018.

BENEFITS OF BIKE FRIENDLY WORKPLACES

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

• Improving personal health and wellbeing
• Attracting and retaining staff 
• Reducing absenteeism and increasing productivity
• Saving money on petrol and public transport fares 
• Reducing congestion on our roads
• Alleviating parking pressures at work
• Minimising our greenhouse gas emissions

For more information about how to make your workplace more bike-friendly, visit Bicycle Network Victoria.

Our Springtime Community Events brochures are a handy guide to some of the many community events and activities planned for spring, some in celebration of Seniors Month and Community Safety Month held each October. There’s something for everyone.

Activities range from fitness and yoga classes, community lunches, music performances, gardening activities and craft lessons.

You can download the Springtime Community Events guide or pick up a copy at a Customer Service Centre and Darebin Libraries from 18 September 2018.

Please phone 8470 8828 for more information or if you would like the Springtime Community Events brochure posted to you.

This rich and diverse collection of musical events is built on the philosophy that music brings people together and can be enjoyed by all.

Darebin Music Feast 2018 will be taking over venues right across the municipality from 18 - 28 October. With signature events, dance parties, interactive installations, intimate gigs and returning favourite, the Darebin Songwriters Award, Darebin Music Feast showcases Darebin's diverse mix of music genres and cultures.

Few municipalities in Melbourne can boast the boundless creativity of Darebin. Taking in Thornbury, Northcote, Reservoir, Preston, Macleod, Fairfield, Bundoora, Alphington and Kingsbury, Darebin boasts a veritable bounty of talent and is brimming with art, music and dedication to culture.

For updates and news about this event, and opportunities to be involved, visit the Darebin Music Feast website.

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.

To enable festival goers to experience Darebin's amazing home food gardens in a different season, the next festival will be held in autumn 2019 instead of in spring / November 2018. The program will be available in early 2019.

Are you interested in opening your garden at the next festival?

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.

The next Carols in All Nations will be held on Saturday 9 December 2017.

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 2018 Parenting Seminars Calendar.

BOOKINGS: Bookings are essential as places are strictly limited, so book now.

Upcoming Sessions available for bookings:

• Sleep and Settling
• Babies and Food in the First Year
• Promoting Children's Development (0-3 year old's)
• Promoting Children's Development
• Siblings without Rivalry
• Tuning into Your Baby
• Mindfulness for Parents
• Baby Massage
• Risky Play
• Fathers session with Dr Wake
• Calm Toddlers, Happy Parents
• Where do the Children Play?
• Managing Food Refusal (1-4 year old's)
• Postnatal Care for Mums

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.