Annual Events Program

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

You will need to apply to become an Australian citizen through the Department of Immigration and Border Protection .

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!

Citizenship Ceremonies for 2017

• Thursday 26 January - Australia Day
  City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 
  10.00am doors open for registration
  11.00am Ceremony Commences
• Friday 24 February
  Northcote Town Hall, High Street, Northcote
  6.00pm doors open for registration
  7.00pm Ceremony Commences
• Wednesday 19 April
  City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 
  6.00pm doors open for registration
  7.00pm Ceremony Commences
• Wednesday 28 June
  City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 
  6.00pm doors open for registration
  7.00pm Ceremony Commences
• Wednesday 2 August
  City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 
  6.00pm doors open for registration
  7.00pm Ceremony Commences
• Sunday 17 September - National Citizenship Day
  City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 
  10.00am doors open for registration
  11.00am Ceremony Commences
• Wednesday 8 November
  City Hall, 280 Gower Street, Preston 
  6.00pm doors open for registration
  7.00pm Ceremony Commences

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).

Further Information
Bronwyn
Civic Events and Engagement Officer
Creative Culture and Events
Ph: 8470 8551
Email: civicevents@darebin.vic.gov.au

Multilingual Telephone Line (We Speak Your Language)
Ph: (03) 8470 8470

March 8 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.

Check back in here for details on next years International Women's Day celebrations.

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 around central Preston, 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 takes place between 29 May - 4 June 2017.

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

We support workplaces in Darebin to host Ride2Work Day events in October. Sign up to our mailing list to be the fist to know when registrations open for Ride2Work Day 2017. 

• 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.

Check back in here closer to October for more information on the celebrations for 2017. 

Further Information
Ph: 8470 8312

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 2017 will be taking over venues right across the municipality from 12 - 22 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.

Presented by Darebin Council in partnership with the Darebin Ethnic Communities Council (DECC), The Backyard Harvest Festival has inspired home gardeners since it first began in 2011, helping build a strong sense of community around homegrown and homemade food.

The 2017 festival is taking place from Saturday 18 - Sunday 26 November.

Other volunteers help as a guide or translator for home gardeners. They benefit first hand from the wealth of food cultivating skills shared by passionate gardeners from a diversity of cultures. 

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 will be held on Saturday 9 December 2017. For more information, visit Darebin Arts later in the year.

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.

www.facebook.com/darebinfreeza

Families, Diversity and Community Events Calendar (February - June 2017) 

Families, Diversity and Community Events Calendar (July - December 2017)

Sessions available:

• Sleep and Settling - includes information on understanding normal infant sleep, the function of sleep, infant cues, and how to help your baby establish age appropriate sleep patterns. Sessions are available for 0-5 months, 6-12 months, and 12 months + age groups.
  

• Babies and Food in the First Year - includes information on when to start offering foods to taste, how to start offering foods, what foods to start with, textures of foods and readiness to try finger foods, mealtime and feeding cues.
    
• Tuning into Your Baby - this session, in partnership with Darebin Community Health,  will provide new parents with the chance to play with their babies and learn about promoting their child's development. Enjoy a relaxed and fun environment with new toys and activities for parents to experience with their child.

• Baby Massage - sessions for mothers, fathers and guardians of babies aged 6 weeks to 4 months techniques including information on massage techniques, the benefits of massage and how it can promote development, understand cues and communication, and basic relaxation techniques.

• A Still Quiet Place - a six week mindfulness program teaching children aged 5 to 8 years to build resilience and skills including stress management and reducing anxiety. It also teaches children to bring thoughtful, calming awareness to their day to day experiences and struggles, not only reducing pressure and strain, but enhancing their quality of life. 

• Fathers Session with Dr Wake - Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist and author Dr Andrew Wake will talk with Dads to help children manage their emotions. Topics include; Where fear and anger comes from in the brain, what makes children angry, and how to confidently help our children (and ourselves) learn to deal with emotions better.  

• Raising Your One Year Old - Find out what you have to look forward to as your child turns one. This session will provide information on growth and development, nutrition, play, security and safety, responding to young toddler behaviours, supporting exploration and learning, community resources.

• Raising Your Two Year Old - Parenting your two year old presents opportunities for enjoyment of their new abilities in language and play. It can also be a challenging time as toddlers express strong feelings and a growing independence. Find out what this new stage will bring.

• Raising Your Three Year Old - Three year old children are eager to learn more about themselves and the wider world. They like to do more things for themselves and thrive when there are predictable routines and experiences that help them gain confidence. Find out what this new stage will bring. Kindergarten and community resources will also be discussed.

• Siblings without Rivalry - Learn about a variety of ways that parents can manage sibling rivalry. Parents can make a real difference in reducing friction and making harmony between siblings possible. Suitable for parents with children aged 0-8 years.

• Mindfulness for Parents -  Explore how parent mindfulness can reduce anxiety and benefit the whole family. Learn some simple exercises to incorporate into daily life to bring about a greater sense of happiness and calm. Suitable for parents with children aged 0-8 years.

• Where do the Children Play? - This session will explore long periods of time "just to be" and explore their world on their own terms.

• When Kids Feel Right They Behave Right - This workshop will give parents a greater understanding of their child's behaviour, as well as creative and innovative ways to encourage cooperation.

• Preparation for Parenthood -This session helps expectant parents prepare for the arrival of their new baby.

• I'm Bored - This workshop will use boredom as an opportunity to encourage creativity, independence and the wellbeing of your child.

• Promoting Children's Development- Two sessions (0-3 year age group and 3-8 year age group session).  The session will provide information and advice to parents and carers on how to promote children's development. 

 

Bookings

Bookings are essential as places are strictly limited.

Book Online 

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.