Look out for this symbol on our upcoming programs and activities relating to our environment and how we can better care for it.

Have You Heard? [Added 12 Jul 2010]

Greetings

Firstly, I want to thank you all for making me feel so welcome. Although it's not an easy job to stand in for someone as accomplished and popular as Simone, I feel I've given it my best shot. The staff at Burnley have been very helpful and I would have been lost without their support over the past few months.

We are making some physical changes around the place at the moment. A new concrete path in the playground will eliminate a tripping hazard and give the kids somewhere to ride the bikes. You can also expect to see some new displays and noticeboards around the place. We are hoping for even bigger changes in the next few months once the Greener Houses plans are finalised and implemented. We are also looking at another shade sail in the playground over the swing area but I'm told the last one took almost 2 years. I think Simone should be back by then.

If you have any questions, suggestions or just want to say hello, please pop in and see me. I'm in the office on Tuesday and Friday. Otherwise leave me a message or send an email and I will get back to you.

Cheers

Deb Sawyer, Acting Coordinator

Greener Houses Update [Updated 12 Jul 2010]

The Greener Houses volunteers have developed a wish list of improvements for our centre, in consultation with the centre committee and staff. The wishlist has ideas about how to make the centre more comfortable, cut energy and water use, and reduce the centre's carbon footprint. Ideas include:

• filling cracks and gaps
• insulating walls and ceiling
• installing window coverings
• improving ventilation
• improving light
• investigating better heating and cooling systems.

Yarra City Council will be doing work around our centre to grant some of our wishes and the Greener Houses group will price some of the bigger tasks and investigate funding options. Once the priority works are done, we'll focus on how to use the centre to showcase what everyone in the area can do at their place to be a Greener House.

About the Project
Burnley Neighbourhood Centre is involved in the Greener Houses Growing Greener Neighbourhoods project, developing Neighbourhood Houses as demonstration centres to showcase the principles and operation of low energy and water use design features, technologies and appliances. Check out the Greener Houses Blog to find out more about this project.

From Dawn to Dusk [Added 12 Jul 2010]

The Twilight Market is back again this year even bigger and better. Our Events subcommittee would love to hear from people who can help with planning, coordination and marketing of this event—check out our Volunteers page for more details.

Burnley Neighbourhood Centre is run by the community for the community. General volunteers are also most welcome at our centre any time! Contact committee president Clare on 0404 880 599 or chat to Deb, our centre coordinator, in the office.

What's in a name? [Added 12 Jul 2010]

The process of having our centre name changed to Richmond Community Learning Centre continues and we are currently working on our new logo to reflect our identity on publications and internet sites. Get ready for updates and to get involved in discussions through our website, blog, events calendar and Facebook site.

Name change launch details coming soon so stay tuned!

Your Local Community Centre: Looking to the Future [Added 06 May 2010]

The centre has a Strategic Plan (PDF, 46Kb) looking ahead to 2011 - check it out.

Hello & Goodbye! [Added 13 Apr 2010]

Our centre coordinator, Simone is currently on maternity leave having safely delivered a beautiful baby girl on Friday 02 April at 1:04pm. Check out baby's photo on the foyer noticeboard. Simone has greatly appreciated the support from committee members, staff and centre users.

BNC will continue to be a vibrant place of friendships and learning for all ages through the experienced hands of Deb Sawyer who will be centre coordinator while Simone is on leave.

Farewell to Nikki and Catherine who have retired from our committee after much hard work-thank you.

A warm welcome to these new committee members:

• Deborah K, who is IT-experienced and manages our new Facebook site
• Debbie F who has sustainability expertise and will be involved with our Greener Houses and other environmental projects at BNC

Are you a great organiser? We are looking for people to get involved with our Events subcommittee.

Connecting with your Community [Added 13 Apr 2010]

You may have already noticed by the button in the left column of this page, we are now on Facebook! Join the group to keep up to date with the latest events and meet your neighbours—simply go to: www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=394977052526. If you don't have a Facebook account yet, simply click the Sign Up button to connect with our Facebook group.

As we work through the process of having our new centre name (Richmond Community Learning Centre) approved for use, our main centre website will also be undergoing an upgrade, including a blog and events calendar. The new-look site will be available when we launch our new name later in the year. Stay tuned!

Twilight Market 2009—Thanks [Added 16 Nov 2009]

Thank you to everyone who attended our Twilight Market on Friday 06 November 2009. The event was very well attended and we raised $1200 for BNC's programs and activities for the local community. Special thanks go to BNC Committee Members Leah, Nikki and Vikki for their great efforts in organising the market.

Below are some images from our inaugural market. We are planning to make the Twilight Market an annual event and we would like to have a pool of helpers to assist us to make the next market even more fun for everyone. If you are interested, please contact us with your details.

Click on an image to enlarge view. If you place your mouse pointer over the enlarged image, further photo options including playing a slideshow are available.

Twilight Market: 1

Twilight Market: 2

Twilight Market: 3

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Twilight Market: 5

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Twilight Market: 18

Neighbourhood Justice Centre Art Mural & MOU [Added 31 Jul 2009]

On Wednesday 22 July 2009, members of the Yarra City Council, Neighbourhood Justice Centre (NJC) and nine local neighbourhood houses, including BNC, were present for:

• the unveiling of the NJC's Neighbourhood and Justice mural, The mural comprises nine panels painted by each of the nine local neighbourhood houses and can be viewed in the NJC courtyard. It was interesting to see how the people living in different areas of the City of Yarra viewed their neighbourhood and the meaning of justice in their community.

• the launch of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) which formally acknowledges the partnership between the council and local neighbourhood houses.

Click on an image to enlarge view. If you place your mouse pointer over the enlarged image, further photo options including playing a slideshow are available.

The mural comprising nine panels each painted by a local neighbourhood house [1].

The mural comprising nine panels each painted by a local neighbourhood house [2].

Panels left to right: Burnley Neighbourhood Centre, Holden Street Neighbourhood House and Finbar Neighbourhood House.

Welcome to Country from Vicki Walker.

City of Yarra Mayor Cr Amanda Stone.

Artist Ellen Michel, who workshopped with the local artists in each neighbourhood house.

BNC Committee of Management member, Catherine Cousen, signs the Memorandum of Understanding with City of Yarra Mayor Cr Amanda Stone.

Left to right: BNC Coordinator, Simone Gardiner and BNC COM member Catherine Cousen in front of the BNC panel. Simone holds the BNC copy of the MOU.

Thanks to our Little Green Thumbs! [Added 31 Jul 2009]

Our kids from Occasional Childcare and Outdoor Playgroup with Feun recently had a great time planting succulents, herbs and vegetables for our new raised garden. Committee members Nikki, Leah and Vikki did a fantastic job organising the seedlings and site for our enthusiastic gardeners who are taking care of the plants and looking forward to harvest time!

The produce will be available in the foyer area, for a gold coin donation.

Any surplus produce from your own garden—herbs, flowers, lemons, etc can be added to the produce stall with the donations also going to sustain our gardens.

Think Global, Act Local [Added 04 May 2009]

These are challenging global environmental and financial times. View our foyer noticeboard at Burnley Neighbourhood Centre to support local small businesses and skilled community members who can provide services such as home hairdressing, computer work, and much more. See our office staff to put up your advertisement (maximum A5 size) on our noticeboard!