Public Pianos for Greater Shepparton

12.30pm, Saturday 25 October

In conjunction with Sing Australia

Riverside Plaza

This group aims to put decorated pianos in public places around Shepparton for accessible music and art to people of all ages, provided free, regardless of ability. It is about community engagement and fun.

This is a movable community art project for which the budget and timeframe is limited. So far seven pianos have been offered.

One will be placed at the Dookie Emporium after being decorated by local artist Dylan McIntosh. The Dookie Emporium has offered to keep their piano indefinitely.

Another piano is currently being decorated by the Kialla Children’s Centre and will be placed at the Riverside Plaza Shopping Centre for about eight weeks. Kialla Children’s Centre has been offered the piano beyond this period and there are some very excited children looking forward to learning to play the piano.

The decoration component of this project gives the artists an opportunity to be involved in a publicly exhibited art project.

The legacy of this project will continue when pianos go to their much loved after care home, such as a children’s centre, school or aged care facility.

Participants working on this project are: Janet Batten, Sue Bennett, Terri Cowley & Bernie Ezeokoli

 Youth Street Art mural

10am, Saturday 1 November

Star Bowl (Stewart Street)

SHEPP-Y-START is a group of four enthusiastic Shepparton people; Seema Abdullah, Amy Carrick, Marlies (Kiki) Passenheim and Leigh Bamford, who are interested in working with youth to implement legal street art within Greater Shepparton.

The group is organising a Live Street Art performance event, where a select group of young Shepparton artists will showcase their skills and shine a positive light on street art.

SHEPP-Y-START’s aim is to provide multiple spaces around Shepparton, where youth can safely and legally express themselves and their skills, without causing damage to properties.

This event is a pilot project, in hope to prove that street art is a beautiful, safe and expressive way for young people to create and participate in another form of art.

Community Kitchen / Garden

10am, Saturday 8 November

Maude Street Mall

The community are invited to come along and celebrate the establishment of Shepparton’s new Community Kitchen Garden with a Community Planting Day. A seed to plate experience, this community kitchen garden will allow the community to experience and learn about how to grow and use healthy veggies and herbs. A range of leafy green veggies and herbs will be grown in this garden for use by community members.

There will be opportunities to get your hands dirty and join the planting, taste some healthy produce and treats and learn how to use different herbs and veggies in your everyday cooking. There will be cooking demonstrations, a chilli eating competition so bring your mates along and see you who can brave the heat!

A team of five dedicated community members Tina Pellegrino, Lisa Menhennett, Terri Johnson, Geoff Maynard and Jodi Campbell have worked tirelessly to bring this garden dream to life for the benefit of the Greater Shepparton community. People are invited to register to become involved and help care for the garden.

Sports Equipment Library

10am-12noon, Saturday 8 November

Shepparton Sports Stadium

A new sports equipment library is coming to Shepparton!

The library will be open to all members of the community, to borrow equipment and try out a variety of sports.

The sports equipment library is a partnership between members of Shepparton Community Leadership program, Greater Shepparton City Council and the Shepparton Sports Stadium.

Aaron Matthews from the Leadership Program says “The aim of the library is to give everyone in the community a chance to try any sport they like. It is a great way to be active and try something new and fun! We want people from all backgrounds to give it a go – you never know what you might find that you are great at.”

Collection of donations from clubs, businesses and organisations is already underway, and Belinda Conna, Healthy Communities Officer from the Greater Shepparton City Council encouraged people to donate sports equipment in good condition that they no longer use.

“A number of collection bins will be placed at Council facilities for public donations including Aquamoves, Shepparton Sports Stadium, Welsford Street Offices and SPC Ardmona KidsTown.”

“The library will have a range of equipment for sports including AFL, basketball, soccer, hockey, netball, badminton to name a few.”

The official launch of the library will be held on Saturday 8 November from 10am to 12noon at the Shepparton Sports Stadium with free memberships available on the day. There will be sports activities to try, local sporting identities and a free BBQ. Participants are encouraged to bring along any donated equipment on the day.

The library will be based at the Shepparton Sports Stadium on Numurkah Rd, with opening hours of 3-5pm Wednesday and Fridays with a borrowing period of two weeks. Annual membership will range from $20 - $50 and vary for individuals, families and organisations.

Participants working on this project are: Angie Devoti, Leanne Collins, Belinda Conna and Aaron Matthews.

People of the Goulburn Valley

7pm, Wednesday 19 November

Ethnic Council, Welsford Street, Shepparton

The project group members have been taking photographs of people from the various cultures who live and work in the Goulburn Valley. Shepparton, together with its surrounding communities, is a great example of how a multicultural society can live and work together in harmony and to the benefit of the region and we wanted to demonstrate this through our mural. We are including people who came to Shepparton many years ago and also some of the newest arrivals and the many cultures who have made their homes here between then and now.

We are still looking for a permanent site for the mural but hope that it will be somewhere prominent for everyone to see.

The People of the Goulburn Valley Project will be able to have its launch at the Ethnic Council on Wednesday 19 November at 7.00pm. We will be inviting people who have had their photographs taken for the project and interested members of the public would also be welcome to attend.

Participants working on this project are: Gerard Smith, Christine Milligan, Sam Lolicato, Medhi Namji, Marisa O’Halloran, Sharon Sellick and Melinda Piggot.