Connect Maldon project results
"I've always assumed 'welcome' wherever I go" (Maldon resident).
"You have to learn how to go out and meet people when you go to a new place ... you have to take yourself outside your comfort zone ... it's about getting out where there are other people around ... lockdown has really screwed me in that way! " (new Maldon local).
The Connect Maldon project, undertaken in 2020, has built a picture of local social and community life - how people connect, what it's like to be new here, and what makes for a sense of belonging. It also provided opportunity to try out some ideas for things that might work to connect people with eachother and the community. Our themed social walks - iso-breakers - were one fun solution. These walks will continue as part of Maldon Neighbourhood Centre's ongoing programming.
Access the full Connect Maldon Project Report here.
The Maldon Market continues in CovidSAFE Mode
Central Victoria’s favourite Hand Made and Home Grown Market has everything lined up for another spectacular Sunday market on Sunday March 14 at our new CovidSAFE home at Bill Woodfull Recreation Reserve, Francis St Maldon.
After a brief February circuit breaker closure all of our stallholders are very keen to get back to the Village Green!
The Maldon Market will run from 9am to 1.30pm.
Market Manager Chris Hain said "We were so disappointed to have to shut down again for the brief circuit breaker lockdown but also cognisant of the need to be responsible citizens and follow the advice of health experts. In effect, we've just created an even bigger buzz for our first Autumn market and our makers and growers have had some extra time to work on their product range to bring you an impressive array of hand made and home grown products and produce. So get your friends and family together and come along to support the best local artisans"
The Maldon Market is operating under strict COVIDSafe conditions as laid out by the State Government. Please be mindful:
Kepp 1.5m distance at all times - especially when queuing
Sanitise on the way in, after each purhcase and on the way out
Use card payments where possible
Do not touch produce or products until you have purchases
Limit the size of your shopping party if you can
Drink your coffee and eat your hot food away from the market area
Keep dog on a short tight leash at all times.
We hope you will join us!
Contact Market Coordinator Chris Hain for more information 0477 201 654, market@maldonnc.org.au.
Food links project 2021
The main aim of Food Links is to strengthen local food security through community collaboration and education, connecting people with existing community gardens. The project seeks to:
increase produce supply for food relief programs
strengthen links between our community gardens
increase active involvement in community garden care.
Food Links has two aspects. The first is to support garden leaders and volunteers at a local community garden level, and then to work with them to identify local needs and priorities for each community garden (eg. education, wider community engagement, identifying local food needs, etc).
The second will be to link gardens with one another, identify shared needs and opportunities, connect food needs to gardens (eg community lunches, food banks, food relief schemes) and increase awareness of community gardens across the region.
To start with, a Steering Committee will be gathered together, a Community Garden Project Worker will be engaged and promotion of the project, building community interest and energy, will get underway in earnest.
Something you'd like to be part of? Call 54752093 or email.
Above: volunteers at Castlemaine Community House Garden; Newstead Community Garden.
Boomerang Bags
The Boomerang Bag initiative started in NSW and has spread to 1130 communities around the world. Many bags are printed with the town of their origin and have been tracked right across the world. Over 500,000 bags have been made, resulting in nearly 185,000 kg of waste being diverted from landfill, preventing the use of many thousands of plastic bags.
For the last 3 years, Maldon Neighbourhood Centre volunteers have been regularly sewing reusable cloth bags and topping up the stand at the IGA. Boomerang Bags are there to ‘borrow & bring back’ if you have forgotten to bring your own bag.
The success of Boomerang Bags relies on everyone returning their bags for others to use . . . we have been pleased to see locals adding their own bags to share and we gently remind borrowers to please ‘boomerang’ their bags back to the stand on Main St, Maldon.
Thank you to the team at Maldon IGA for their support of this initiative. Thanks also to the volunteers who tirelessly sew, print and replenish boomerang bag stocks.
If you would like more information on Boomerang Bags and how to be involved, please contact the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre on 5475 2093 or info@maldonnc.org.au. Donations of clean cotton fabrics are very welcome.
Maldon Lights Up!
Get into the spirit of the Festive Season and deck your house with lights, bells, tinsel and Christmas nonsense! Share the joy and be part of a much-loved Maldon tradition that brings happiness to young and old, decorators and appreciators. We need all the joy and kindness we can get after 2020!
If you have plans to decorate your house this Christmas, please get in touch with the Maldon Neighbourhood Centre on 5475 2093 or info@maldonnc.org.au by Wednesday 9 December so we can add you to our map.
The Map is available HERE: Maldon Christmas Lights
We encourage the community and visitors to jump in their car and take a self-guided tour of Maldon after-dark to enjoy the Christmas lights throughout town. The Community Bus is unable to take tours around town this year due to the COVID-19 density restrictions.
What better way to share the joy of Christmas than with twinkling lights and glorious decorations adorning your house? So start decorating and join in the fun!
