Phone 8768 4400
Welcome to 2024! With the beginning of a new year, we have some fun Beginners’ programs to share.
Start hitting your new year fitness resolutions with Strength Training for Over 50s (Beginners to Intermediate) at 9.30am-10.15am on Wednesdays for just $8 per session. Or perhaps Beginners’ Ballroom Dancing on Tuesdays from 7pm-8pm for $112 for the term will appeal. Maybe meet your intention for increased creativity with Drawing Classes for Beginners or Painting with Watercolours for Beginners. Contact us for more details and availability.
Our resident florist Sharon usually sells out her workshops with many returning members becoming quite experienced floral arrangers in their own right, so Sharon wants to make sure beginners are encouraged to attend the upcoming classes.
The workshops are just $75 each and you get to take home your stunning arrangement following a very fun and educational evening. Term 2 will see us add specific Beginners’ Floral sessions designed for those who have not attended a class before. Look out for details in our Term 2 program available late March. The number of expressions of interest received for our Choir have been fantastic and we’re delighted to be able to move forward in facilitating this group of music lovers to develop a new regular meeting time. The more the merrier, so get in touch to begin this musical adventure from its inception.
The BNC Wine Club is adding a twist to their next meeting with a 1950s themed event. From 7pm on Friday 8th March, for just $40 per person, there will be a cocktail upon arrival, and tastings of a sparkling wine, two whites and two reds with a bit of 50s flair. The evening will be topped off with a dessert cocktail with canapes and finger foods served throughout the evening. First-time and/or one-time participants are welcome to join our regular tasters for this special, fun night. For designated drivers and non-drinkers who would appreciate simply socialising and dressing up, there is a reduced price of $15 per person to enjoy the nibbles and soft drink only. Bookings are essential for catering purposes and numbers are limited, so don’t miss out!
Hearing Australia will be conducting free hearing checks at the Centre on Monday 18th March between 1pm-3pm. Bookings are essential as an appointment cannot be guaranteed for drop-ins on the day.
We were very happy to welcome a new Committee of Management member towards the end of last year. Barry Small brings his extensive experience in governance, risk management and process improvement to the team. We now have a full complement of 12 Committee members for the 2023/2024 year. You can still express your interest in volunteering for our Committee throughout the year as there is usually some movement and resulting vacancies by the time of our AGM in October.
Our amazing knitters from the Monday Knitting group clicked away another extraordinary year of donations for those in need. The December handover of toys helped charities like Bless Collective and Food Pantry put hampers together for families at Christmas and brought the annual tally of knitted items to an enormous 647.
The Pakenham Op Shop, Casey Hospital and Beaconsfield Ambulance Station were also recipients of knitted items. Donations included blankets and other winter warmers earlier in the year. A display window at the Centre also offers a selection of knitted items for purchase with all money going back to buy more wool and stuffing, so the community can support the group and take home a unique, beautiful, knitted treasure. There were 138 additional items knitted for this purpose.
BNC Children’s Room
Our Occasional Care program is in great demand and sessions are currently full with waiting lists now in place. We offer casual or emergency placement if there is a vacancy in a session due to the absence of a permanent place holder. Reach out to us for more details and to add your name to the contact list for notification of an available place up for grabs.
The New Year has begun with many smiling new faces and some familiar ones as well. The Collaborative Care arrangement we have with Beaconsfield Kindergarten is being well utilised by families with children attending both services. This additional service helps parents by ensuring their kinder kids can be transferred between services before or after their session to allow for a full day of work or other commitments.
The children have loved our new “Who is Playing Today?” wall as they find themselves or their friends each session. This is a fabulous example of one fun way we’re meeting the Early Years Learning Framework Outcome 1: Children having a strong sense of identity and belonging. It’s also proven to be a great transition strategy to welcome each child as they arrive and promote inclusivity.
Our Term 1 Program is packed with much more including all our beloved regular activities and classes. Hard copies are available at Reception for every term and the digital version is available on our website www.bncinc.org.au. If you would like every edition emailed, please let us know by dropping a line to:
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Beaconsfield Neighbourhood Centre
8 O’Neil Road, Beaconsfield
Phone: 8768 4400
Web: www.bncinc.org.au
