Nillumbik calendar of events

Look for the large white ‘Local Food Connect’ marquee at the Farmers’ Market. Go along with your homegrown fruit and veggies, favourite seasonal recipes, spare jam jars, homemade labelled preserves, etc, and share and network with other local backyard growers.

Feel free to drop by to have a look at the garden, to find out more and to meet the garden volunteer coordinator, Trevor.

Click here to read about the garden.

Looking to feel productive, stay healthy, and contribute to local food resilience? Go along to the community garden on any Thursday morning to meet others for an informal catch up and low-energy gardening session. No experience is required, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and help your fellow community members to sow, plant, harvest, weed, compost, and chat (heavy on the chatting, really). Take yourself, a pair of gloves, and learn how you can help grow food and community.

Click here to read about the garden.

Meet their volunteer gardeners to share tips and ideas, contributing to the maintenance of the community garden.

Click here to read about the garden.

These meet ups happen during school terms only. You have to become a member, but membership is free and you can join at any time. Bother experienced gardeners and absolute beginners welcome.

Each week, a horticulturalist will talk about some aspect of edible gardening.

Dogs not permitted.

Regular working bee. Everyone welcome.

Click here to read about the garden.

First Tuesday of every month except for January.

2024 Speakers and topics
Feb: Ben Moore on bees in our gardens.
Mar: Helen Lovel on soil improvement.
Apr: Members Q&A.
May: Betsy-Sue Clarke on gardens from the heart.
Jun: Ros Houston on forest cactus.
Jul: Julie Temple on garden technology.
Aug: Jeff White on ecological psychology and deep nature connection. Also, the AGM
Sep: Garden Express on summer flowering bulbs.
Oct: Jenny Lau on local birds.
Nov: Jenny Hedley on propagating native plants.
Dec: Sandra Verdam and Julie Temple on growing microgreens.

2023 Speakers and topics
Feb: Jane Tonkin on winter and spring bulbs.
Mar: Barbara and Dee on preserving the harvest.
Apr: Fiona and Rown Williams on West Australia wildflowers.
May: Emma Powell on a winning garden design.
Jun: Jenny Lau on local birds.
Jul: Matt Barnes on living soil and biochar.
Aug: Rod Heather on growing and grafting fruit trees.
Sep: Charlotte Harrison on indoor plants.
Oct: Miriam Ford on prostantheras.
Nov: Fiona Williams on pelargonium and geranium swap night.
Dec: Christmas themed evening.

2022 Speakers and topics
Feb: Ben Waite & Barbara Marshall on summer pruning & espalier.
Mar: Robert Dobson on streptocarpus and hosta.
Apr: Jane Tonkin on bulbs.
May: John Harris on Eltham copper butterfly.
Jun: Ravi Sommerhalder on sharpening garden tools.
Jul: Chris Scrase on fuchsias.
Aug: Dusty on rock walls in landscaing & AGM.
Sep: Paul Kirkpatrick on tools for sale.
Oct: Penny Woodward on pest repellent plants, herbs & other organic solutions.
Nov: Flowering plant and veggie seedling swap night.
Dec: Jennifer Sheridan on Christmas wreaths.

2021 Speakers and topics
May: opening your garden/fruit trees and espalier.
Jun: pest repellent herbs and other organic solutions- Penny Woodward.
Jul: garden craft e.g. stone painting – labels, animals.
Aug: AGM and fuchsias – Chris Scrase.
Sep: tomatoes – Penny Woodward.
Oct: inspiring gardens visited.
Nov: seeds, in house/hands on.
Dec: a plant delicious Christmas.

2020 Speakers and topics
4 Feb: Fiona Williams on irises and scented pelagonia.
3 Mar: Robert Boyle on landscape design.
7 Apr: Al & Hazelk Veevers on patterns in nature.
5 May: Travel gardens.
2 Jun: Angelo Eliades on pruning fruit trees – espalier.
7 Jul: Sandi Kogtevs on making scarecrows.
4 Aug: Chris Scrase on fuchsias; AGM.
1 Sep: Penny Woodward on tomatoes.
6 Oct: Sarah Watson on clematis and flowering climbers.
3 Nov: Hands on – sowing, maintenance, potting on.
1 Dec: Helen Lovel on neutrog and biological fertilisers.

2019 Speakers and topics
5 Feb: John Ferris on edible landscapes.
5 Mar: Kathleen Tants on wees and weed control.
2 Apr: Brendan Curtis on zoo horticulture.
7 May: Paul Gale-Baker on wicking beds.
4 Jun: Caleb Armstrong on pharmaceutical herbs.
2 Jul: Lyndall Shaw on proteas and flower arranging.
6 Aug: Barbara Marshal on colour theory and colour combinations in planting; AGM.
3 Sep: Kevin Ritchie on unusual hanging baskets.
1 Oct: Norm Gerraty on growing begonias.
5 Nov: Sandra Verdam on bee-related hands-on activity.
3 Dec: Garden Club on a succulent Christmas.

2018 Speakers and topics
6 Feb: Lydia Heap on re-creating Indigenous Panton Hill; Julie Temple on growing yam daisies.
6 Mar: Michael Tanner on soils – pH and restoration.
3 Apr: Paul Kirkpatrick on potagers – plus specialised tools.
1 May: Robyn Harris on African violets – care and propagation.
5 Jun: John and Joy Quinn on bulbs.
3 Jul: Titch – Flemings on bare-rooted trees.
7 Aug: Steven Wells on therapeutic gardens; AGM.
4 Sep: Hazel and Al Veevers on birds in the native garden.
2 Oct: Cade on beer – from hop seeds to drink.
6 Nov: Pat Anderson facilitating a tomato veggie herb swap.
4 Dec: Mitre 10 Diamond Creek on new garden products.

2017 Speakers and topics
7 Feb: Rachel Bishop on worm farming; Chloe Thomson on the organic products that OCP have on the market.
7 Mar: Bob Yeoman on growing dahlias from seed.
4 Apr: Ryan Young on habitat gardening.
2 May: Attila Kapitany on succulents.
6 Jun: Vaughn Greenhill on landscape design – working with nature.
4 Jul: Pete the Permie on berry fruits.
1 Aug: Jan Morris on protective garden accessories.
5 Sep: Maria Ciavarella on thrifty gardening.
3 Oct: David Redfern on natives grown at Cranbourne – suited to our local area.
7 Nov: Arja Toivanen on taking cuttings (hands-on propagation workshop).
5 Dec: Mark Ludlow on bonsai; Christmas party.

2016 Speakers and topics
2 Feb: Lydia Heap on frolicking frogs.
1 Mar: Ryan Young on healthy soils.
5 Apr: Sue Evans on healing herbs of the 1st Fleet.
3 May: Ian Culbard on permaculture design and practice.
7 Jun: Cheryl on miniature landscaping with succulents.
5 Jul: speaker from the Clivea Society on clivea clues.
2 Aug: short talks from local speakers; AGM and 11th anniversary.
6 Sep: Bill Aitchison on acacias for the home garden.
4 Oct: Maria Ciavarella on gardening on a shoestring.
1 Nov: pelargonium and geranium show’n’share.
6 Dec: Melissa Thomas on garden art; Christmas party.

2015 Speakers and topics
3 Feb: Peter Miller on mounting plants on boards.
3 Mar: Ken Walker on native & exotic bees.
7 Apr: Sue Aldred on native plants: why & how.
5 May: Maurice Kellet on bromeliads.
2 Jun: Loretta Childs on an iconic local garden.
7 Jul: Local speakers on learning From gardening mistakes.
4 Aug: Greg Bolderson on underground treasures / rare bulbs.
1 Sep: Geoff Crowhurst on a search for old roses around Victoria’s cemeteries.
6 Oct: Doris Pozzi on Nature’s supermarket.
3 Nov: Richard Lee on growing & using Asian greens.
1 Dec: Fun night with trivia games, DVDs & Christmas party.

Feel free to drop by to have a look at the garden, to find out more and to meet the garden volunteer coordinator, Trevor.

Click here to read about the garden.

Looking to feel productive, stay healthy, and contribute to local food resilience? Go along to the community garden on any Thursday morning to meet others for an informal catch up and low-energy gardening session. No experience is required, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and help your fellow community members to sow, plant, harvest, weed, compost, and chat (heavy on the chatting, really). Take yourself, a pair of gloves, and learn how you can help grow food and community.

Click here to read about the garden.

Meet their volunteer gardeners to share tips and ideas, contributing to the maintenance of the community garden.

Click here to read about the garden.

These meet ups happen during school terms only. You have to become a member, but membership is free and you can join at any time. Bother experienced gardeners and absolute beginners welcome.

Each week, a horticulturalist will talk about some aspect of edible gardening.

Dogs not permitted.

Learn how to make feta, halloumi, labneh and ricotta cheeses. You will taste test the ricotta and halloumi once it’s freshly made. A light lunch of spanakopita and baked camembert will be provided. You will take home three cheeses as well as some cheese mould to make your own at home.

Take along an apron, a glass jar and 3 or 4 containers to take your cheese home.

Organised by Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House.

Regular working bee. Everyone welcome.

Click here to read about the garden.

This class is for food bloggers, bakers, restaurant/cafe owners or anybody who loves food and wants it to look good. It will focus on taking great images of food using your own, or easily obtainable, equipment. It will cover such aspects as: choosing the right lens; choosing the right background, props and accessories; lighting; and software.

Dig in the garden, pick fresh veggies and prepare dishes to share and enjoy. Part of the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden program.

Click here to read about the garden.

Feel free to drop by to have a look at the garden, to find out more and to meet the garden volunteer coordinator, Trevor.

Click here to read about the garden.

Looking to feel productive, stay healthy, and contribute to local food resilience? Go along to the community garden on any Thursday morning to meet others for an informal catch up and low-energy gardening session. No experience is required, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and help your fellow community members to sow, plant, harvest, weed, compost, and chat (heavy on the chatting, really). Take yourself, a pair of gloves, and learn how you can help grow food and community.

Click here to read about the garden.

Meet their volunteer gardeners to share tips and ideas, contributing to the maintenance of the community garden.

Click here to read about the garden.

These meet ups happen during school terms only. You have to become a member, but membership is free and you can join at any time. Bother experienced gardeners and absolute beginners welcome.

Each week, a horticulturalist will talk about some aspect of edible gardening.

Dogs not permitted.

Learn how to make sourdough bread. You will make a pizza base to enjoy together and you will make a bread dough ready to bake the following day at home. You will also be given a starter so that you can continue to make bread at home. Take an apron, tea towel, sealable container and jar with a screw top lid.

Tutor: John. Organised by Living & learning Nillumbik.

Regular working bee. Everyone welcome.

Click here to read about the garden.

Specialising in stallholders that produce quality homemade, homegrown and handcrafted products, or selling fresh and tantalising produce.

The Eltham Community Craft and Produce Market is, and has been, a place where the local people can come and enjoy a community atmosphere, eat some tasty food, take home a gift, buy some fresh fruit and veg, listen to good music or find special artistic ornaments or craft work.

The market is situated in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful suburbs and is a perfect starting point for a day seeing the sights of the local Nillumbik Shire. With a bushland setting combined with the back drop of the historic trestle bridge, the market has a country atmosphere and only 25 minutes from the city.

There are stalls ranging from food and wine, to sculpture and local artists. You can wander amongst the stalls enjoying the atmosphere and then take a stroll to the park and have a picnic.

This class is for those who adore coconut in all its forms or love a rich curry sauce. On the menu: Thai grabong fritters using a red curry paste and coconut milk with grated pumpkin, sweet potato and snake beans; a curry paste of your choice (red, yellow or green) made from scratch in a traditional mortar and pestle; you will then use your paste to create a chicken or vegetarian curry using coconut cream and toasted organic coconut flakes; fluffy Thai coconut rice; and chewy coconut pancakes (kanom krok), which is a double layered pancake with a crispy bottom and creamy centre topped with spring onion, corn or pandan flavour.

The ticket includes a Vietnamese iced coffee, coconut water, a local beer or wine, a shared banquet and a curry paste to take home.

Presenter: Kelly Meredith from Under The Pickle Tree.

Feel free to drop by to have a look at the garden, to find out more and to meet the garden volunteer coordinator, Trevor.

Click here to read about the garden.

Looking to feel productive, stay healthy, and contribute to local food resilience? Go along to the community garden on any Thursday morning to meet others for an informal catch up and low-energy gardening session. No experience is required, just a willingness to get your hands dirty and help your fellow community members to sow, plant, harvest, weed, compost, and chat (heavy on the chatting, really). Take yourself, a pair of gloves, and learn how you can help grow food and community.

Click here to read about the garden.

Meet their volunteer gardeners to share tips and ideas, contributing to the maintenance of the community garden.

Click here to read about the garden.