Fiona facilitates the Laverton Youth Foundations Victoria project (YFV) and is based at the Laverton Community Renewal Centre, 8 Donald Street, Laverton.

YFV is an initiative that helps young people make a real difference to their community. Students from Laverton College will meet regularly with Fiona to look at the needs of the local community. The group will make grants available to other young people to run activities that benefit and positively promote young people in Laverton.

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Eugene has joined the Community Development team in the role of Community Development Officer – Volunteer Development. Eugene will be facilitating the participation, engagement and development of Volunteers.

Eugene will be focusing on building the capacity of volunteer based community groups in local area planning to improve their organisational and community strength and sustainability. For more information contact Eugene on tel: 9932 1001 or email: ewong@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au

A great partnership has been established between Volunteer West and the Council to promote and encourage volunteering in Hobsons Bay. John has joined the Community Development team to help spread the word about volunteering.

Volunteering is a great way for you to help your community, learn new skills, meet others and have fun.

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There were a number of events organised in Hobsons Bay to celebrate Cultural Diversity Week and Harmony Day.

The Taste of Harmony event was held for Council staff on 19th March to raise awareness of cultural diversity in Hobsons Bay and inform staff members of the resources available to assist them in their work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Staff also had the opportunity to sample some multicultural food by girls dressed in Croatian national costumes.

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Refugee Week has been celebrated since 1986 and each year events and activities are held throughout Australia. Refugee Week coincides with World Refugee Day on 20th June.

The theme for this year’s Refugee Week is Freedom from Fear and focuses on efforts to provide safety and security for refugees from fear and persecution.

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Workplace Big Day Out (WBDO) is an event that brings together employees from business and people with disabilities to enjoy and experience a range of recreational activities such as basketball, dancing, yoga and Tai Chi.

The aim of the event is to encourage businesses to get actively involved in the community and to introduce employees to workplace volunteering. WBDO is a very social event that enables businesses and their employees to develop relationships with community groups and individuals that may not usually have contact with.

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As part of the Council's commitment to become carbon neutral by 2020 and Seabrook Community Centre's strategy to showcase environmentally sustainable living in the community, the Environmental Ambassador and workshop program is now under way.

Twelve local residents have signed up as ambassadors to complete an accredited unit from the Diploma of Sustainability, working with others to plan and implement a behaviour change program and study aspects of sustainability.

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Seabrook Community Centre has been collecting books during March to pass on to Borders bookstore for schools and libraries in communities affected by the bushfires.

The appeal was initiated by actor Noni Hazlehurst in late February. The Seabrook community has been very supportive, with 97 books collected for the appeal, most of them completely new books or in near new condition. A big thank you to those who made such valuable donations.

The Community Grants program provides financial assistance to local community groups for activities and projects that meet the needs of the community. Applications will be accepted between 11th May and 11th June 2009.

Download Community Grants application forms and guidelines.

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PilchConnect is hosting monthly seminars on legal issues that affect not-for-profit community organisations. The seminars are:

• Aimed at small to medium not-for-profit community organisations
• Held at different member law firms in Melbourne's CBD area
• Limited to no more than two people per organisation per seminar due to availability
• Cost $30 (inc. GST) per person or your organisation can purchase eight places in any of the seminars in 2009 for $200 (inc. GST).

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The Altona North Community Children’s Centre was built in the 1960s and originally served the community as a kindergarten. Since 1999, the Council has run playgroups and occasional care groups from the centre and has also relocated other children’s services to this venue whilst they underwent refurbishment.

The Altona North Community Children’s Centre is a great example of using Council facilities in a flexible way, to meet changing community needs.

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The Laverton Community Renewal Forum will be held on Sunday, 19th April at 1.00pm and will give local residents the opportunity to find out more about the Laverton Community Renewal Project, ensure it is on the right track and assist in identifying priorities for the future.

The proposed Laverton Community Association will also be launched on the day, with information and membership forms available.

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Learn the art of making mosaics with a series of eight classes taught by a professional mosaic art tutor. The weekly classes will commence on Monday, 20th April 2009 from 1.00pm-3.00pm.

Places are limited so please be quick. For more information or to book a place pop in to Walker Close Community Centre, 180 Millers Road Altona North Monday to Thursday between 9.00am–4.00pm or call tel: 9318 0521.

Looking for a great place to meet with a central location in Altona North? Why not try the Brooklyn Community Hall in Cypress Ave, Altona North (Melways ref: 40 K10). It's a perfect venue for meetings, exhibitions, training classes, family gatherings and more.

The hall has a fully appointed kitchen, generous outdoor space located near the Brooklyn Tennis Club and parking facilities. Community rates are available for non-profit groups and commercial rates are competitive.

For more information or to make a booking call tel: 9318 0521.

If you require information in languages other than English, Council staff members can provide assistance.

Call tel: 131 450 and ask to be connected to Hobsons Bay City Council.

If you've got an event coming up that you'd like to promote to the community, it's easy to add it to the Council's online events calendar.