WARRANDYTE MECHANICS INSTITUTE HALL

The Warrandyte Mechanics Institute Hall, managed by the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute & Arts Association (WMIAA), is a thriving cultural and community hub located in the heart of Warrandyte, Victoria. Built in 1928, this charming historic hall serves as the primary home for local arts, theatre productions, and community initiatives.

The current Hall was built after years of rigorous local fundraising. It was officially opened on 7 April 1928 by W.H. Everard, M.L.A. The building immediately became the heartbeat of the town. It hosted weddings (the first on 8 December 1928), local debutante balls, and operated as a local cinema screening pictures up to three times a week until drive-ins arrived in the 1950s. During World War II, it served as a vital base for community fundraising efforts.

In 1955, the Warrandyte Arts Association (WAA) was formed and began utilising the hall extensively, eventually accounting for 90% of its regular use. In 1986, the Warrandyte Mechanics Institute and the WAA officially joined forces to create the modern Warrandyte Mechanics Institute & Arts Association (WMIAA). This structural shift secured the long-term preservation of the building while ensuring it remained dedicated to local theatre, crafts, and performing arts.

Today, it remains one of the few historic Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria that continues to be fully managed by a volunteer-led community arts association.  It has a rich, community-driven history spanning nearly 150 years, evolving from a Victorian-era adult education school into a prominent regional cultural arts hub.

This post is part of the Travel Tuesday meme

URBAN FARM

10 km northeast of the CBD in Bellfield, an area of land is set aside for urban farming. Several enterprising and community-minded groups are working there to farm organic seasonal produce that are available for sale in the farm shop. A great initiative and a pleasant place to visit and meet interesting people.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme

REMEMBRANCE DAY

Papaver rhoeas (common names include common poppy, corn poppy, corn rose, field poppy, Flanders poppy or red poppy) is an annual herbaceous species of flowering plant in the poppy family, Papaveraceae.

Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by King George V in 1919, the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. The red Flanders poppy symbolises remembrance, as the battlefields of WWI were filled with red poppies in the spring following the war, reminding survivors of the blood spilt on the battlefields.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme

SOCIAL DISTANCING

In these "interesting" times we are living through, it's important to stay safe, heed the advice of experts and your government. It's only then we can beat the virus that has so disrupted our daily life.

However, at the same time, you can do much to help others in your community who are less able to fend for themselves. Please do something to actively support those in greater need than you. Your local community group, council or local government representatives can give you many workable and safe plans of action!

This post is part of the Wordless Wednesday meme,
and also part of the My Corner of the World meme.

PRESTON MARKET

Preston Market is the second largest market in Melbourne selling fresh produce, clothing and homewares with a variety of restaurants and food stalls; it attracts over 80,000 visitors per week.

Construction on the Preston Market began in October 1969 when Preston Mayor W. K. Larkins drove home the first stake in the site of the former Broadhurst Tannery.    The original investment in the site was $2 million.

The market opened in 1970 and by 1976 the market had grown to include 46 green grocers, 15 delicatessens, 4 fish shops, 4 poultry shops, 19 butchers and a variety of small goods shops including toys, clothes, carpets, plants, and sporting goods.

In 2004 the owners of Preston Market, Centro MCS, sold the property to Salta Properties for $36.75 million.   The new company plans to renovate the site.

On February 27 2017, Darebin council voted to reject an application by Preston Market Developments (owned by Salta Properties and Medich Corporation), to build three residential towers - one of 14 storeys and two of 10 storeys with a total of 300 apartments and ground floor retail outlets - on part of what is currently a market car park on Murray Road.

But the developers have announced they will appeal the decision in VCAT. Salta managing director Sam Tarascio​ said Darebin councillors went against expert advice to the council that the development was consistent with its planning for Preston.

This post is part of the My Sunday Best meme,
and also part of the My Sunday Photo meme.

CERES ENTRANCE MURAL

CERES - Centre for Education and Research in Environmental Strategies, is an award winning, not-for-profit, sustainability centre located on 4.5 hectares on the Merri Creek in East Brunswick, Melbourne. It is no accident that the acronym was chosen mindful of the fact that Ceres was the ancient Roman goddess of agriculture (hence "cereals").

It is also a thriving community, an urban farm, Australia’s largest deliverer of environmental education, an event and conference venue and a place rich with social and cultural diversity. CERES is recognised as an international leader in community and environmental practice. Built on a decommissioned rubbish tip that was once a bluestone quarry, today CERES is a vibrant eco-oasis. 350,000 people visit CERES each year.

CERES’ green technology displays, buildings, education and training programs and social enterprises (CERES’ Organic Market, Café, Permaculture Nursery and Fair Food organics delivery) demonstrate food security, sustainable agriculture, energy efficiencies, renewables and water conservation in action.

The entrance is adorned with a mosaic mural that outlines some of the things that CERES stands for. It was designed and created by artists Gordan Mandich and Paul Jesse. Over the next few weeks I shall be posting more of the art that is scattered throughout the CERES site.

This post is part of the Monday Murals meme,
and also part of the Blue Monday meme.