Sing into spring

Hear the Casey Choir in concert on Sunday 23 August. 143302 Picture: Contributed

What\’s on

THE Casey Choir invites the public to join them for their concert, featuring a new program of songs including songs from musical theatre including All That Jazz from Chicago and American spiritual songs. The Melbourne Mandolin Orchestra will be guests on the night. An afternoon tea will be served following the concert.
– Hillcrest Christian College Theatre, 500 Soldiers Road, Clyde North. Sunday 23 August, at 2pm. Entrance through gate three. Tickets available online. Visit: www.trybooking.com/145596 or at the door. Cost: Adults $25, concession $20, under-12 free.
Book launch
FROM ‘Genocide to Generosity’ is a book of stories about healing and forgiveness by victims and perpetrators of the Rwandan genocide. It touches on sanity and hope in a fearful world.
– 27 Childers Street, Cranbourne. Tuesday 25 August, 3.45pm to 4.45pm. RSVP by 20 August.
Cost: Free. Signed copies of the book will be sold at $20. Contact: St John’s Office. Email: stjohnscranbourne@gmail.com Website: http://www.2live4give.org Telephone: 5995 9364
Intro to Photoshop
A COURSE designed to teach photographers basic photographic editing skills. The introductory course will include adjusting and enhancing photos as well as removing and moving parts, adding borders and type and stitching panoramas. Students must have basic computer skills to enrol in this course.
– Balla Balla Community Centre Building 03, 65 Berwick Cranbourne Road, Cranbourne East. Thursday 27 August for four weeks, 7.30pm to 9.30pm. Cost: $100. Bookings essential, phone: 5990 0900.
Native plant sale
ATTRACTING more than 1000 visitors every year, the Wilson Park Berwick Branch of the Australian Plants Society is holding its 17th annual native plant sale and this year has expanded its coverage to include bush foods, wood working, quilting, food stalls, kids craft activities, a specialist book stall, native flower display, raffles and a guessing competition.
– Wilson Botanic Park, 668 Princes Highway, Berwick. Saturday 5 September, 9am to 4pm. For more information visit: www.apswilsonparkberwick.org.au
Cirque Africa
Having toured the globe for eight years and performed in Hollywood and for Dolly Parton in France, the new show will tour Australia and New Zealand for the next two years.
The 90-minute performance combines acrobatics, theatre, song and dance and Mr Berman said it is a great celebration of African culture.
The cast will be dressed in more than 200 bespoke African costumes and will be joined by an eight-piece live band.
– Marriot Waters Shopping Centre, Thompsons Road and Marriott Boulevard, Lyndhurst. Friday 24 July until Sunday 23 August. To book tickets visit www.cirqueafrica.com.au
Netball competition
JOIN the Cranbourne Indoor Sports netball open mix, open women’s and under-18 ladies competition and be in the running to win.
The tournament needs a minimum of 10 teams to run and the winning team will receive $500. The runner-up will win $250.
– 14 Smethurst Street, Cranbourne. Register by Sunday 20 September for the competition on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 September. Phone 5996 5411. Team entry costs $150.
Indoor bowls
JOIN in on the fun at the Casey Indoor Sports Centre. Tea, coffee, bowls, prizes and coaching is available.
– Casey Indoor Sports Centre, New Holland Drive, Cranbourne. Fridays 10am to noon. A first day fee of $5 applies per person. For more information phone Ron on 5990 9048 or 0411 126 946.
Portrait show
A COLLECTION of portraits and art are now on display.
The City of Casey is hosting an exhibition called Unique Identity by Casey resident Surya Murali and portraits by Stacey Chan and Hong Xu. Mr Murali’s works feature portraits of prominent individuals including the City of Casey’s namesake Lord Casey, Nobel Prize winners Madame Curie and Howard Florey, well-known Indigenous Australian, inventor and writer David Unaipon and Louis Braille, who invented the Braille system of reading and writing for those who are blind or visually impaired.
– Civic Centre Art Space in the Customer Service area at the City of Casey Civic Centre, Magid Drive, Narre Warren. Open from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday until 21 August. For more information, including upcoming exhibitions, visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/artspace
Hand sewing workshop
JOIN acclaimed textile artist Leesa Chandler and her team, who are holding a week-long series of workshops exploring the art of hand sewing and stitchery techniques.
There will be a pop-up design studio, sewing studio and shop with workshops run by Leesa.
Suitable for people with some experience in sewing.
– Corner of Ballarto Road and Botanic Drive, Cranbourne, off South Gippsland Highway. Meet at the Visitor Centre, 10am to noon and 1.30pm to 3.30pm on Tuesday 18 August and Sunday 23 August.
Mental health
GROW is offering a unique 12-step recovery focused program to those suffering from stress, anxiety, depression and other emotional difficulties.
Gold coin donation appreciated.
– The Berwick Group meets at the Berwick Neighbourhood Centre, 112 High Street, Berwick, on Wednesdays at 10am. Contact the GROW Community Centre on 1800 558 268 or visit www.grow.net.au for more information.
Free hearing tests
BETTER Hearing Australia will offer free consultations and hearing tests in Lynbrook to help people who suffer from hearing loss to better manage their condition.
The not-for-profit organisation provides hearing tests, hearing screenings, understanding hearing test results and advice on managing hearing loss or tinnitus.
Better Hearing Australia (Vic) also runs the Victorian Hearing Aid Bank where eligible people can access free hearing aids.
– Lynbrook Community Centre, corner Lynbrook Boulevard and Harris Street, from 9.30am to 4.30pm on 6 August, 3 September, 1 October, 5 November and 3 December. For further information contact Better Hearing Australia on 1300 242 842 or visit www.betterhearing.org.au
Walk the centre
CRANBOURNE Park offers health walks where participants are taken by a qualified instructor from the YMCA.
Registrations can be taken on the day and participants are encouraged to wear loose fitting clothes and comfortable walking shoes.
– Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.40am in the fresh food area and the walk finishes at 8.45am.
Bowls and bingo
HALLAM Senior Citizens Centre is open on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and offers carpet bowls, bingo, games, clubroom events and day tours.
New members are welcome.
– 4 Princess Domain Drive, Hallam. For more information contact president Paul Lorenzo on 9703 1068 or secretary Dorothy Mickelson on 9796 7580.
Indoor bowls
ENJOY an indoor full size regulation bowls day with all bowls supplied and coaching for beginners along with a cup of tea afterward.
– Casey Indoor Sports Centre, 65 Berwick-Cranbourne Road. Friday mornings 10am to noon. No charge on first day. Phone Ron on 5990 9048 or 0411 126 946 for more details.
Park run
PARTICIPATE with more than 100 others in a free five-kilometre timed event every Saturday morning.
The event caters for serious runners and for those wanting a jog or even a walk.
– Saturdays at 8am at Berwick Springs, visit the Berwick Springs Parkrun website for more information.