GIVIT seeks young children’s books
An organisation supporting children and families across the ACT is on a mission this year to create a love and enthusiasm for reading. The organisation runs community playgroups around Canberra, aimed at disadvantaged, isolated and vulnerable parents and children. With Book Week 2021 fast approaching (23-27 August), the organisation is hoping to collect 60 books to gift to all children, aged from six months to four years, attending the playgroups. The organisation is hoping to acquire books in very good condition, so the families and children feel a sense of pride and excitement when receiving this little gift. Any donations would be greatly appreciated. To donate, visit givit.org.au/whats-needed, search by ‘Books and Stationery’ in the ACT. After you pledge the item, you will be contacted by the relevant organisation to arrange pick-up, post or drop-off.
Woden Seniors Book Fair
The Woden Seniors Club well-known and much-loved Big Book Fair is just around the corner – open 10am-4pm daily on 5, 6, 7, and 8 August at 12 Corinna Street, Woden. The club will be filled with a huge range of pre-loved, quality books, as well as magazines, games, puzzles, vinyl records, CDs and DVDs and beautiful water colour paintings – all for sale at the usual very low prices; all DVDs, CDs and children’s books will only be $1 each. This will be a COVID-safe event. In accordance with the Public Health Direction, it is a condition of entry for all attendees to check in using the Check-in CBR app. Entry is by gold coin donation. There is some free parking at the Club. More info: call 6282 2573.
Disability Support training program
In partnership with JobTrainer (a jointly funded initiative of the ACT and Australian Governments), Canberra Institute of Technology, and UnitingCare Kippax, SPARK is launching an innovative new training program to encourage more people to consider a career in the Disability and Individual Support sector. Specifically targeting people living in the ACT, this 10-week program will start on Monday 23 August, run four days per week and be a combination of theory and practical hands-on learning and industry work experience. Prospective participants must attend the information/selection session on Thursday 12 August 10.30am. To book a place or find out more information, please contact Shayla at Ginninderry on 1800 316 900 or email [email protected]
Becoming Well conversations
Holy Covenant Anglican Church, Cook, is hosting a series of free community discussions with mental health practitioners on the first Thursday night of every month. The next ‘Becoming Well’ conversation will be held on Thursday 5 August with Toni Hassan, author, journalist and parent, about how families can recover, reclaim and regain their connectedness in a digital age.Social media and entertainment is a powerful presence in the lives of many today, often drawing on psychology to keep us plugged in and switched on. If you’re interested in hearing some tips on rebalancing how we spend our time together and discovering ways of leading a more fruitful and productive family life, you’re invited to attend this event at 89 Dexter Street, Cook. Bookings via www.trybooking.comBSWJD. More info: Wayne on 0407 408 333.
Al-Anon meetings
Do you need help to cope with the devastating effects of someone else’s drinking? Then Al-Anon can help. Help is both for those presently living in a family affected or for those adults who were raised in a family affected by someone else drinking. Canberra now has convenient meetings every day by face-to-face, Zoom or phone conference. Meetings can be found on www.alanon.org.au or by phoning 6249 8866.
Canberra Jung Society
At the next Canberra Jung Society meeting and social gathering on Friday 6 August 7.30pm, Dr Kirstin Robertson-Gillam will be exploring ‘Mandalas in Art and Music’. The Society meets online or in person at McKillop Conference Centre, 50 Archibald Street, Lyneham for music, supper and library. Cost: $15 ($10 conc). More info: call 0406 375 670 or visit canberrajungsociety.org.au
Move with Women
Diabetes NSW & ACT present Move with Women – a free, nine-week group exercise program for women (18+) of all fitness levels and backgrounds. The program involves a one-hour group exercise session every week for nine weeks plus a 30-minute health education session every fortnight. A Move with Women program will be taking place in Woden at Flex Out Physiotherapy starting Friday 10 September at 12pm. To register, visit movewithwomen.com.au/classes or call 1800 328 951.
Boorowa markets
Due to the evolving Covid situation in regional NSW, Boorowa Rotary decided to cancel the Community Markets for July and August with a ‘wait-and-see’ option for September.
Canberra Academy of Languages
The Canberra Academy of Languages will hold an information evening on Thursday 16 September 6-7pm at Ainslie School, 33 Donaldson Street, Braddon about senior secondary programs in languages for 2022 (or online if health restrictions apply). Information will be provided about CAL programs in French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Tamil and possibly other additional languages for 2022. To register, email [email protected] or visit cal.act.edu.au for more information.
Mental Health Month grants
Mental Health Month has announced up to 30 grant funded events for the Canberra community to be held throughout October this year. Organisations are granted up to $1,000 to run an event for Mental Health Month and help Canberrans navigate their mental health. Events range from mental health first aid courses, to walks, talks, craft workshops, gardening, self-care sessions, wellbeing festivals and fun days and the annual This is My Brave Australia (TIMBA) international mental health film festival. Mental Health & Wellbeing Community Expos will be delivered across Canberra’s five major town centres, with events on different dates in Civic, Woden, Tuggeranong and Belconnen, as well as the TIMBA partner event held in Gungahlin on Sunday 17 October. More info: www.mentalhealthmonthact.org
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