Annual Events Program

Held by Darebin Council in partnership with the Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC), The Backyard Harvest Festival has been inspiring home gardeners since 2011, becoming more popular each year.

The 2016 festival is being held from Saturday 19 - Sunday 27 November, on weekends and early evenings during the week.

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

The next Carols in All Nations is on Saturday 10 December 2016, 6-9.30pm. For more information, visit Darebin Arts.

The Mayor of Darebin hosts the Citizenship Ceremonies, which are also attended by key speakers representing Federal and State Parliament. 

Ph: 131 880
Website: www.citizenship.gov.au 

When and where will the ceremony be held?
Once your application for Australian citizenship is approved the Department of Immigration and Border Protection will send you a letter to advise which ceremony to attend and when.

You can only attend the Citizenship Ceremony assigned to you in the letter sent by the Department of Immigration & Citizenship.

Duration: The ceremony lasts 1 hour with refreshments served afterwards.
Food and Drinks: Light meal and refreshments are provided.
Guests: Family and friends are welcome and encouraged to attend. It's a celebration!

Remaining Citizenship Ceremonies for 2016

Venue and times for the following dates: City Hall 280 Gower Street, Preston 3072. Time: Doors open for Registration at 6.00pm Ceremony commences at 7.00pm until 8.15pm approx.

• Wednesday 15 June
• Thursday 11 August
• Wednesday 2 November
• Thursday 17 November

• National Citizenship Day: Saturday 17 September  
  Venue: City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 3072
  Time: 10am registration and 11am ceremony 

What happens if I cannot attend a Citizenship Ceremony?
Contact the Department of Immigration and Citizenship if you have a special request or cannot attend your assigned ceremony date.

Department of Immigration & Citizenship
Ph: 131 880
Website: www.citizenship.gov.au 

Registration at the Citizenship Ceremony

• Register on the day of the ceremony with a Council Officer no later than 15 minutes before the ceremony commences.
• Please bring along your letter from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
• Bring along your photo identification (e.g. passport or drivers license).
• Advise during registration if your contact details have changed (e.g. address, phone number or surname).

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 Darebin Community and Kite Festival is part of Darebin Arts’ True North program.

Sunday 26 March 2017

This year’s Music Feast will present over 100 events, in more than 10 venues over 10 days across Darebin! 

Darebin Music Feast showcases and celebrates our diverse music community with an eclectic program of events. From rock to folk to gypsy to jazz and everything in between, the Darebin Music Feast sees community music groups perform in local halls, alongside touring international acts in some of Melbourne’s most prestigious live music venues.

Dates: 27 October - 6 November 2016

www.facebook.com/darebinfreeza

Held in various locations around central Preston, the week-long program features workshops, seminars, demonstrations and special events, culminating in the ‘meet the makers’ showcase where you can enjoy free beer and wine tastings.

You can also enter your own homemade wine, beer, passata, ajvar or olives into competition.

The last Darebin Homemade Food & Wine Festival was held from 9 - 15 May 2016. For more details please visit www.darebinarts.com.au/foodandwine.

In Darebin, we are proud of our diverse community. Being 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 on the basis of sex characteristics, gender identity and sexuality can have serious negative consequences on the social and emotional wellbeing of our residents.  As such, we are committed to strengthening community cohesion and connectedness by celebrating diversity and promoting respect for all.

To celebrate IDAHOT 2016, join us at one of these events:

• Rainbow flag-raising and community conversation: Tuesday 17 May 2016, 10am-12pm, Preston.
  • Mark the day by attending our raising of the rainbow flag at the Preston Town Hall at 10am.
  • Then join us at 10.30am at the Darebin Intercultural Centre to listen to Monique Hameed, from the Multicultural Centre for Women's Health, speak about her work with young same-sex attracted women from immigrant and refugee communities.
  • All welcome to the flag-raising ceremony, but please RSVP  to the intercultural centre for the community conversation.
  • All details are here!
• Screening of Gayby Baby: Tuesday 17 May 2016, 7pm-8pm, Reservoir.
  • Come and join us at the Reservoir Library, 23 Edwardes Street for the screening of acclaimed Australian documentary, Gayby Baby.
  • Gayby Baby observes the lives of four children whose parents are either gay or lesbian and explores the ways in which growing up as a ‘gayby’ has affected them.
  • Free but registration essential. All details are here!

  On May 17, come and celebrate the strength, resilience and contributions of Darebin LGBTIQ residents with us!

And if you're in a neighbouring municipality, why not join one of these events?

• in Moreland:
  • Launch of #ThisCampaignIsQueer on Monday 16 May 2016 at 5.30 pm at Brunswick Town Hall, 233 Sydney Road, Brunswick
  • Intergenerational Queer story share at East Coburg Community House 32 Nicholson Street, East Coburg on Tuesday 17 May 2016 at 6.30 pm
• in Banyule:

  • Launch of ‘Inclusion: What Makes a Family Photography Exhibition on Saturday 14 May  at 10:30am at Banyule Council Offices, 275 Upper Heidelberg, Ivanhoe

  • Rainbow Flag Raising Ceremony and Morning Tea on Tuesday 17 May  at 11:00am at Banyule Council Offices, 275 Upper Heidelberg, Ivanhoe

  • IDAHOT Party, a night of comedy and music with Tom Ballard and Bluehouse on Tuesday 17 May at 6pm at Max’s Burger Bar, Cnr Rattray Rd and Were St, Montmorency

March the 8th is a global day of recognition and celebration of women’s social, political, cultural and economic achievements. It is also a day that invites reflection and action to combat gender-based discrimination and violence. 

Council has a range of events on to celebrate International Women's Day, notably the Molly Hadfield Social Justice Oration, instituted by Council in 2013 as a tribute to Darebin resident Molly Hadfield OAM, who worked tirelessly throughout her life to advance women’s and seniors’ rights.  The oration provides an ongoing platform for exploring and understanding key social justice issues of interest to women in our community.   

The inaugural oration was delivered by prominent women's rights activist Mary Crooks AO in 2014 and by human rights advocate, curator and author Tasneem Chopra in 2015.
This year the oration was delivered by social commentator, writer and activist Celeste Liddle, supported by spoken word performance from local poet, Jan Earthstar.

Darebin City Council invites you to join us free celebrations for NAIDOC Week 2016 and contribute to the fostering of positive, respectful relationships between Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and the wider Australian community.

NAIDOC Week Events

Songlines - This year's theme is "Songlines –The living narrative of our nation". Songlines are the oldest living narrative of our nation, and will be the focus for the 2016 NAIDOC Week celebrations. Join us on Monday 4 July for a special ceremony to mark the commencement of NAIDOC Week, more information is available in the Community Calendar.

Drumming Workshop - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth have an opportunity to record their own tunes at a free drumming workshop at Decibels Youth Studio on Thursday 7 July at 2pm. The event is free, but registration is a must, call 8470 8440 or email intercultural@darebin.vic.gov.au.

Indigenous Storytelling for Kids - Joining cultural educator and storyteller and Wamba Wamba man Ron Murray for a unique insight into Indigenous culture. In this workshop, kids will be taken on a journey through Ron’s stories aimed to raise awareness about Indigenous culture and facilitate understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. $10 each.

Loud Mouth takes place on school holidays at Darebin Arts and Entertainment Centre, with occasional events also held at Northcote Town Hall.

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

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.

We will be participating in the annual Pride March on Sunday 31 January 2016, at 1.30pm for a 2pm start.

This open air celebration sees over 100 groups march down Fitzroy Street (St. Kilda) to express courage, solidarity, pride and diversity of the LGBTIQ community. The program includes assembly at the parkland at the northwest corner of Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive and finishes with free performances on the foreshore.

Darebin Council will march in Pride as a demonstration of our commitment to equity and inclusion and our aspiration to create a community where everyone feels included, safe and able to achieve their full potential and wellbeing, regardless of sexuality, sex characteristics or gender identity.

The theme of this 21^st annual Pride March is marriage equality – for which Council expressed official support in July 2015

Join us and show your support for a diverse, inclusive community!

When: Sunday 31 January 2016, 1.30pm for a 2pm start
Where: Meet at the “Darebin’s coming out” banner at the parkland on the corner of Fitzroy Street and Lakeside Drive, St. Kilda.

Council is supporting workplaces in Darebin to host their own Ride to Work day breakfast. Sign up with us and you’ll receive:

• A fruit box – so you can offer a healthy breakfast to riders.
• Giveaway prizes – to encourage and support staff to ride
• Bike parking prize draw – one lucky workplace will win new bike parking!
• Bike info pack – including handy maps and riding materials. 
• Help with planning and promotion – including posters and templates.

Workplaces can hold a breakfast for staff only or it can be open to the wider community.

Sign up your workplace for Ride2Work Day
For more information or to register your workplace, contact us:
Email: green.travel@darebin.vic.gov.au
Phone: 8470 8683
Registrations close 23 September

New to Riding?
Riding to work is convenient, fun and a great way to stay healthy. Ride2Work Day is a great opportunity to give commuting by bike a try and encourage others to do the same. If you’re new to riding, check out the Start Riding website for information and resources to get you started. We also run a series of low-cost Bike Skills courses for all types of riders from novice to intermediate and dedicate women only sessions.

Benefits of bike-friendly workplaces
There are so many benefits to encouraging bike riding in your workplace, including:

• Increased staff health and wellbeing
• Reduced absenteeism and increased productivity
• Saving money 
• Alleviating parking pressures 
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• Attracting and retaining staff 

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

This year we have lots of different free and low cost events. From physical activities to arts and crafts, exhibitions to food feasts, and more.

There is something for everyone, and everyone is welcome. So bring your friends and family along.

Some of this year’s highlights

• Spiritual Healing Trail 
• Darebin Explorer Bus
• Exhibition: An Unfinished Journey – Law and Justice for LGBTIQ people in Victoria, 1835 – 2016
• Celebrating Seniors Multicultural Lunch
• Reservoir Village Seniors Fun Day

Find an even that interests you in our Springtime Community Events 2016 brochure.

Download it here, or pick up your free copy from one of our Customer Service Centres.

For more information about activities and events for older people in Darebin call us on 8470 8312.

Saturday, 2 April 2016
11am-2pm
Preston City Hall and Preston Shire Hall, Gower Street, Preston

Darebin's Sustainability Expo is a chance for residents from all walks of life to find out more about sustainability and discover easy ways to reduce their impact on the planet with a range of free workshops, group presentations and information stalls.

One workshop well worth checking will be provided by local architects and the Alternative Technology Association who are offering free 10-minute consultations where people can discuss their green home design ideas and renovation plans with architects specialising in sustainable design. 

There’ll also be plenty on for the young ones with face painting, a pedal-powered smoothie maker and green puppetry crew Trash Puppets on hand to teach kids (and adults) to make their very own puppet from recycled waste materials.

Council staff will also be on hand to provide information on solar energy and details about sustainable transport options including car sharing and electric bicycles. And there’ll be a workshop offering tips to reduce food waste – and make good use of unavoidable waste through composting and worm farming.

The program (so far) for the day is as follows... 

11.00am - 2.00 pm - Visit the information stalls of local environmental groups and green businesses

11.00am - 2.00pm - Trash Puppets - learn how to make puppets from waste materials, Bike 'n' Blend - pedal powered smoothie maker and face painting

11.30am - 12.20pm - 10 minute consultations with local architects and the Alternative Technology Association - bring aling your green home design and renovation ideas

12.30pm - Official opening 

12.40pm - 1.30pm - Presentation by local architects about green home design and renovation

We will be adding to the program over the coming weeks, so stay tuned!

A rolling series of participatory arts projects and events will 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.

January

Overheard in Reservoir
This summer, Oslo Davis hit the pavement as our artist-in-residence. Sketching his encounters with locals in his ever-humorous style, Oslo has produced a local newspaper to pictorially represent the unique character of Reservoir. Our gift to you this January!

February

The Peoples' Tours of Reservoir
Join us for an audio adventure led by Reservoir locals. ABC Open producer Jane Curtis has been busy recording audio tours with unlikely tour guides in unlikely places. Discover bountiful backyards, modernist dreams and multiculturalism at its best through the Peoples Tours of Reservoir. Available for download and broadcast in February 2016.

Outdoor CinemaTrue North is excited to present an Open Air Cinema event especially for Reservoir! Join us from 6pm on Friday, 26 February at Edwardes Lake Park for an evening of family entertainment.

To find out more, visit True North Arts.