Business, Community and Environment in the Yarra Ranges and surrounding suburbs
If you are looking for something to do in the evening over the summer months, you can not go past the very cosmopolitan Outdoor Cinema at Cameo Cinema in Belgrave. Cameo is an independently run business that presents a generous selection of films all year round. […]
The Micawber Tavern located on Monbulk Road between Belgrave and Kallista, is my favorite all time pub. It is a real traditional pub with not a Pokie machine in sight, and is a favorite drinking hole and meeting place in the Dandenong Ranges for locals […]
Opportunity or Op shops are an excellent way to buy recycled goods at cheap prices. Not only can you grab a bargain but you can also help raise money for the wider community. Most people are aware of the larger chain shops usually ran by religious based organisations. But if you want to put your money towards something more secular, there are some amazing OP Shops located in the Dandenong Hills who raise funds for more alternative charitable organisations.
One of the memories I have from after my parents split as a child was my now single mothers association with the unique organisation Parents Without Partners Inc. The work they do and the help they gave my family was invaluable. PWP are the only international organisation that exist to help single parents in the way of discussions, professional speakers, study groups, publications and social activities for families and adults. The PWP Op Shop located on the corner of Burwood Hwy and Sandells Road in Tecoma are an outstanding choice for extremely cheap and interesting second hand goods. Items have general prices and are not individually tagged, if unsure just ask one of the friendly volunteers. The ladies in the shop are extremely kind and the money raised is going directly to an outstanding and necessary community organisation. https://www.facebook.com/Pwptecoma/
In Monbulk on the upper end of Main Street is the Monbulk Primary School Op Shop. All the funds raised from this wonderful shop go directly to improve resources to the children at Monbulk Primary School, to help provide better learning and educational programs. Prices are extremely cheap and often determined by the wonderful lady behind the register. The shop is filled with bargains, and a genuine warmth from the Volunteers. It is a pleasure just to visit and chat with the staff. https://www.dosomethingnearyou.com.au/3793/organisation/monbulk-primary-school-op-shop-1590128
At the other end of Main Street is the MS Australia OP Shop, that exist to raise money solely to help those who suffer with Multiple Sclerosis. With no cure MS effects over 23,000 people world wide. Multiple Sclerosis is a condition of the central nervous system, interfering with nerve impulses within the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. Sclerosis is a Greek word meaning scars. These scars occur within the central nervous system and depending on where they develop, manifest into various symptoms. Half the money raised in the shop goes directly toward MS sufferers while the other half is devoted to research for treatment and the end game, a cure. The shop is well set out and has a multitude of well priced good quality items available. Definitely worth a visit. https://www.facebook.com/MSCommunityShops/
Up the end of Main Street in Belgrave is the Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Inc. Op Shop. They exist to raise money to provide a no judgement support care and aid network for those who are doing it tough in the Hills area. DRER have been helping people in Belgrave and the surrounding area for many years with clothing, food and monetary assistance to those facing hardship and calamity. Visit this shop, pick up a affordable and unique item, while your money goes directly to helping those around you. http://www.drers.org.au/
All of these Op Shops also need ongoing donations of excellent quality goods and of course Volunteers. Next time you have stuff to donate, remember the alternative options out there to recycle your unwanted things. Good for you, good for your community and an outstanding choice for the environment.
One of my earliest childhood memories is sitting out the window of the Puffing Billy Railway. Legs dangling over the bridges and along the track, the cars tooting and people waving; but mostly being terrified that I would loose my shoes. The memories of this […]
Did you know that in Belgrave there is a community service that is hugely valuable to the people struggling in the local area? Dandenong Ranges Emergency Relief Inc. provide a no judgement support care and aid network for those who are doing it tough. You never […]
The Dandenong Ranges and surrounding areas are prolific with different types of markets that operate each and every weekend, both Saturdays and Sundays somewhere in the hills, allowing local residents, day trippers and tourists access to a diverse array of art, entertainment, local produce and community spirit.
Some markets act specifically as a show case for Visual Artists and crafts people, while many others only cater for produce, including locally made cheese and wine, fruits and vegetables, meat, and any thing else you can imagine in a culinary mind or hungry stomach. It is an opportunity not to be missed by the local populace to get their hands on super fresh well priced food, a vast improvement on the over priced and questionable produce provided at the large supermarket chains. Many of the markets held across the Ranges offer a multitude of goods, vast selections of arts and crafts, finely made and original jewelry, food, plants and flowers, live music and other forms of family friendly entertainment.
There are three excellent and well patronised markets coming up this weekend specifically running on the 2nd Saturday or Sunday of each month.
The Hills Art Market is located in the village of Emerald, just behind the Puffing Billy Station on Memorial Drive. This market boasts a plethora of world class Visual Art, Industrial Art, Hand made furniture and unique and awe inspiring jewelry design. The market is presently inviting Musicians who live in and around the hills to come and play as part of the greater market community. This is an awesome place to visit with over 50 different artists work on display and available for sale.
This Saturday 9am-3pm.
http://www.hillsartmarket.com/
This community market on the North side of the hills is designed to bring fresh seasonal produce to the local people. Monbulk Produce Market situated at the top of Main Street, allows the public to meet the producers directly and create relationships in which everyone benefits. Excellent food and produce as well as some local crafts are available for sale. Get down there and support local farmers.
This Saturday 9am-1pm.
https://www.facebook.com/monbulkproducemarket/
Located inside St Thomas Moore Primary School off Reynolds Road is the Belgrave Big Dreams Market. Vibrant and community driven this market provide stalls that sell diverse food, fresh locally grown produce, astounding art and a menagerie of other objects. They are an all weather market that runs no matter what, except for those dreaded Code Red days. They boast being dog and kid friendly, with specific stalls available for children to sell their wares. They provide live music with buskers and a diverse range of family friendly activities.
This Sunday 9am-2pm.
https://www.belgravebigdreamsmarket.com/
I love beer, and I love going to excellent pubs and watering holes to have dinner, a drink, watch live music or to spend time with friends. The Dandenong Ranges are filled with a multitude of local drinking spots with a variety of beer options […]