Events and Festivals presented by the Monash Arts and Cultural Development Unit
Wrap up of 2011/2012 Events
2012 Australia Day
2010 Australia Day was celebrated with a Flag Raising Ceremony at the Civic Centre hosted by the City of Monash and six other events hosted by the community across the City.
At the flag raising ceremony, the newly appointed, Victorian Police Service Officers officially presented the flag to 2012 Sir John Monash Young Volunteer Award recipient, Louise Taylor raised the National flag.
Guest performers, Andrea and Valanga Kohza were accompanied by the Oakleigh City Band as they proudly played the National Anthem as the flag was raised.
The Mayor of the City of Monash, Cr. Stefanie Perri, welcomed attendees to the official proceedings for the day. Uncle Colin Hunter from the Wurundjeri Council and Aunty Carolyn Briggs from Boon Wurrung both presented a Welcome to Country.
The Australia Day Ambassador for the City of Monash, Mr. George Lekakis AO, shared her thoughts on being a proud Australian.
Woolworths, who sponsors the Australia Day Ambassador program was represented by Brent Griffiths from Centro, The Glen, Woolworths providing insights into how Woolworths supports Australia Day.
All attendees were welcomed inside by songs from the talented duo Kinja while enjoying a catered Australia Day Breakfast.
Members across the community enjoyed activities across the shire which included:
- Waverley Bushwalking Club - Australia Day Bushwalk
- The Hartwell Players - The Real Story of Puss in Boots
- Peaser - Filipino Elderly Association South East Region
- River Jiang Arts INC - Music Open Day
- Town and Country CakeDeco Group - Australia Day display and demonstration
- Waverley Historical Society - Open Day
- Players Theatre Company - Identity
- Waverley Gem Club - Open Day
- FATD Victoria at Wendon - Free Dance Classes
2011 Activation!
Traditionally known as the Ashwood Chadstone Family Fun Day, Activation! returned to its original home, Batesford Reserve, Chadstone for its ninth consecutive year.
The new development of the Batesford Hub made for an impressive backdrop for the festival. Only helped be the beautiful weather, the day was attended by more than 5,000 visitors eager to engage with the highly interactive youth based program enjoyed by all ages.
Fast paced and moving workshops like Get up and Dance and the African Drumming drew the crowd into the wonderful Batesford Hub facility and were a highlight of the day. The dare devil tricks on the skate boarding ramps tempted all ages to give it a go!
MC, Dave O'Neil opened the Main Stage to the tunes of the Monash Concert Band following after were the Ceres Calisthenics, Ashwood College and talented duo Lexi and Tash. Colourful costumes filled the stage with the Rodriguan Social Club and Our Community Sings reminded us of how necessary community is.
Gearing up to the afternoon the stage witnessed the enthusiastic and talented young performers of The Children's Performing Company of Australia, listened to the beats of the DJ Battle and were wowed by the amazing tricks of the Wickid Force Breakdancers. To bring Activation! to a close local artists The Quarters rocked out!
Public art project 'Active Connections Workshop' was initiated this year in partnership with Port Phillip Housing Association (PPHA) and featured prominently.
The partnership with PPHA produced 11 finished mosaic pavers designed and produced by festival attendees for installation in the Community Garden of the PPHA development for April 2012.
Active Connections Workshop also produced an airbrushed Activation banner representing the present and the future of the local Ashwood/Chadstone community to be put on display at future Activation events.
Children enjoyed a variety of free activities and rides with the old favourites face painting, animal farm and jumping castle. Community Information, food and market stalls ensured there was much to see and do.
The City of Monash would like to thank its sponsors Port Phillip Housing Association (PPHA), Monash Youth and Family Services and Stockdale and Leggo who helped to make the event such a great success.
For more information, contact Arts and Cultural Development on 9518 3636
2011 Mulgrave Fun Day
The Mulgrave Fun Day was held on Saturday, 16 April 2011 at Wellington Reserve, Mulgrave. Some 2,000 people came to join in the fun at the Wellington Reserve Community Centre.
The colourful MC Colin Bogaar's provided much entertainment throughout the day with good humour and colourful tricks. His show 'The Wonders of Fredrico Boogies Magic Circus' wowed the children.
Festival favourite Paul Jamieson and Bongo the Cheeky Monkey opened the Festival with a bang and had the audience dancing up a storm with their toe-tapping music! Adding to the musical delights were young local favourites Brittany Leo and Bethany Fisher.
Children got to practise learn new moves with a variety of cultural dance workshops Bollywood Beats Workshop provided the opportunity for all to experience different dance styles and to have some fun!
A variety of performances and activities provided much entertainment from Playback Theatre's investigation into what makes Mulgrave unique from a child's favourite hiding place to a teenager's local hang out.
Helen O'Grady Drama Academy added a playful creative element as they encouraged children to imagine and act. Another popular attraction was the Grimstones Laboratory, a space for kids to explore the mysterious wonders brewing in the right side of their brain.
With so much to do, so much to learn, so much to create and part take the Wellington Reserve Community Centre buzzed with excitement!
The City of Monash would like to thank its sponsors the Monash Weekly and Hall and Partner's First National Real Estate. The City of Monash would also like to thank the Mulgrave Neighbourhood House, the Mulgrave Scouts, the Mulgrave Guides and all community groups for helping to make this event such a success.
2011 Flavours of Oakleigh
The Oakleigh Music Festival came to a close ith thousands of people making their way to Warrawee Park for the Flavours of Oakleigh on Sunday 20th March 2011.
With everything to treat senses and tempt the taste buds the Festival proved to be a visual, aural and taste sensation for all ages.
The Caravan Music Club Stage featured iconic Australian artists such as Vika and Linda Bull, Bobby Flynn, Mick Thomas, Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Eagle and the Worm, Amber Lamps and Oakleigh City Band hosted by colourful MC Rebecca Barnard.
Whether you were lazing in the sun near the stage or grabbing a drink or bite to eat everyone made sure they had a dance or at least a toe tap to the music.
The Flavours of Monash cooking demonstrations proved Monash as the melting pot of cultural cuisine. As usual it provided the opportunity for many people to learn how to cook a range of multinational foods ranging from Argentinean, Indian, South Sudanese, Chinese and Indonesian. The smell of the Argentinean BBQ wafted through the air enticing taste buds for hungry patrons.
Flavours of Monash stage was also full of colour as Monash cultural groups owed the audience with their beautiful bright costumes and engaging performances.
New additions of the Kids Zone and the Eaton Mall Buskers Program proved a big hit! Children were buzzing with activity in the Kids Zone where they were entertained with roving performers, face painting, a jumping castle and chair-o-plane.
Eaton Mall showcased unearthed talent with performances from Kata the Beat boxer to Theodore the violinist.
The Workshop Marquee delighted kids and adults alike. Cupcake decorating workshop run by Oakleigh's famous Quality Cakes gave children the opportunity to eat their own work of art.
Melbourne artist and puppeteer Asphyxia from The Grimstones added a twist to learning sign language with an AUSLAN Signing Workshop in the afternoon. Later the Marquee showcased beautiful costumes, exotic sounds and a few new moves as Belly Dance Inspiration held a belly dancing workshop to get everyone moving.
As well as workshops and music there were fun-filled activities running all day. Henna artist Neeta Patel will be applied her art to patrons, The Recycled Art Workshop presented their visual arts creations and Animal Tracks showcased all that slithers and slides in their reptile display.
We would also like to thank our sponsors, Monash Weekly, Caravan Music Club, Jellis Craig, Atticus Design, Bank of Cyprus Australia and Melbourne Open Air Cinema who helped to make the event such a great success.
