Still Loving the West
In challenging times like these it’s important that we all support local, preserve our self-care, check in on our neighbours and keep our unique “westie” community spirit alive.
We continue to see a number of impressive and inspiring businesses in Melbourne’s west adapting to survive and meet our communities changed needs.
Here are a few suggestions to keep yourselves entertained in Melbourne’s west during COVID-19.
Entertainment from Home
Willy Lit Fest
Six selected sessions from this year’s Willy Lit Fest 2020 Vision will be presented as online programs from May until June 2020. The first, Tapping the Zeitgeist, will take place on Thursday 21 May at 7pm.
Join authors Enza Gandolfo, Angela Savage and Alice Robinson as they delve into the sinewy depths of the novel and explore What is the value of fiction in exploring contemporary life?
Garden Feast Nursery, Werribee
Combining a love of plants with a love for great food, unfortunately the Feasting Shed Café is currently closed (for now). However the nursery is open and well stocked with plants to get you inspired for growing from home. Check out their socials for great gardening tips and tutorials. They’re also offering free garden design, delivery and plant placement for DIY garden makeovers. Nursery open 9am-5pm. Read more here.
The Victoria State Rose Garden, Werribee
If you live close by you can get out and smell the roses! Parks Vic has arranged for the Victoria State Rose Garden to remain open for exercise. (The gazebo in the rose garden, toilets, BBQ area, Mansion & formal gardens are all closed due to covid 19 restrictions). Car park closes strictly at 4.30pm.
The Setting Sun Film Festival
The Setting Sun Film Festival will screen online this year. The full 2020 festival screening event will be presented later in the year. For now, we can enjoy the great selection of films in this smaller, online festival. When: 6-12 May. Rewatch it here.
Williamstown Botanic Gardens
While spending time at home, you can enjoy a look at the history of the Williamstown Botanic Gardens, via the online Victorian Collections. Some records have multiple images, be sure to click through to view them all. There are even some wonderful interviews recorded as part of the Voicing Our Gardens project, that make for fascinating listening. Read here.
Spice Bazaar Cooking School, Seddon
Cook your way around the world during lockdown. Spice Bazaar Cooking School in Seddon is offering free Youtube tutorials of popular dishes. First up: Malaysian Char Kway Teow – Watch here.
Wyndham Art Gallery
Enjoy an intimate online look at the Wyndham Art Gallery’s latest exhibition, REVEAL. Take a virtual tour and reflect on the changing identity of your city expressed by historical, civic and contemporary art collections. See more here.
The Wyndham Art Prize 2020 is also going forward, although in an augmented fashion. For the opening night, Wyndham Art Gallery will be unveiling a virtual tour of the gallery where you can move through the gallery space, view the artworks and access additional content. See more here.
Couch Community
Local event planning business, JT Production Management, have truly grasped the motto “from today’s challenges comes innovation”. They have decided that it is vital to still produce entertaining events and content for our community to connect and engage through these times. And so they’ve developed Couch Community – a digital entertainment series bringing the community together whilst also supporting small businesses in need. Recipes for the Restless will see renowned chefs demonstrating a live cooking lesson, joined by a guest comedian/actor as MC. Cook along from home or just enjoy the laughs from your couch! Read more here.
Community Bar, Pride of our Footscray, is taking its quarantine queens online for a weekly bingo night! Launching Wed 8 April – a riotess online drag comedy show that has bingo as a fun element. See more here.
Canine Communications, Williamstown
Gourmet Pawprints are conducting online Canine Communication Courses. Sessions provide fur-parents an opportunity to learn essential skills in keeping their dogs happy, healthy and safe. See more here.
Creative Brimbank – The Bowery Theatre, St Albans
The Politics of My Body photography exhibition by artist Amrita Sur will exhibit her work using a virtual gallery. Amrita explores ways to question acquiescence and conformity, and to provoke the dire need for a shift in thinking, in order to transcend a woman’s worth beyond her body. Exhibition is available online until 17 May 2020. See more here.
Western Bulldogs
The Western Bulldogs Community Foundation has launched a series of free webinars to help keep the community healthy and connected. Register here.
Junior Rangers, Parks Victoria
Parks Victoria has developed a selection of activities designed to guide kids through a range of different ways to explore, play, create and learn all about nature in their own backyards. Sign up at https://lnkd.in/gKwafB8
Scienceworks, Spotswood
Enjoy Scienceworks at home! Museums Victoria’s latest online project allows guests to go behind the scenes, take virtual tours (hosted by hilarious kidult comedy team the Listies), learn about STEM, experience livestreamed virtual events and watch Q and A sessions hosted by experts. Read more here.
Werribee Open Range Zoo
While the zoos have stopped accepting visitors, behind the gates, the keepers and vets are still caring for the animals, enriching them and making sure the animals feel all the love in the world right now. Zoos Victoria have set up live stream cameras of animal enclosures so we can all enjoy #AnimalsAtHome View here.
Altona, Laverton and Point Cook Community Bank Branches are dropping off free kids show bags to families in Altona, Laverton and Point Cook. By staying home, we are keeping each other safe and what a great gesture to keep the kids entertained – we know it’s not easy! Get in touch with them on Facebook for a little care package.
Moonee Valley Parks
Getting tired of walking around the block to get exercise? Throughout the City of Moonee Valley, Council park staff are still hard at work keeping our green spaces beautiful. Here are seven of our favourites you may not know about. Read here.
CS Gallery, Caroline Springs
CS Gallery’s first virtual exhibition, Tyler Grace’s Chronic Diaries. Tackling both the seen and unseen impacts of chronic illness, this exhibition is a photographic self-portrait series which explores Tyler’s journey to well-being over the last 17 years. See it here.
Lantern Ghost Tours
Have you always been obsessed with paranormal shows and wondered what it’s like to investigate the unexplained? Our friends at Lantern Ghost Tours have developed an online self-study course that takes you on a path of discovery, teaching you how to conduct your own paranormal investigation!
Self-Bingolation
Community Bar, Pride of our Footscray, is taking its quarantine queens online for a weekly bingo night! A riotess online drag comedy show that has bingo as a fun element. See more here.
Snuff Puppets
This will give you a laugh – Watch here. Everybody’s favourite giant Human Body Parts self-isolate! Snuff Puppets is a registered charity supporting the arts industry in Melbourne’s west. (Donations during the coronavirus pandemic are greatly appreciated: https://www.givenow.com.au/snuffpuppets)
Incinerator Gallery, Aberlfeldie
Its very first online exhibition, HTTP.PARADISE is an immersive experience in digital realms. Presented via the Incinerator Gallery website, this exhibition explores positions in video art, moving image, music video, and video gaming that imagine alternative visions for the future. Immerse yourself here.
Want more?
- Head here for a great list of food outlets open for business.
- Head here to uncover the best spots to top up your liquor cabinet.
- Head here for a list of dessert options to keep you going.
Find even more in your region
Each local council of Melbourne’s west is providing online updates for residents and businesses in relation to the current COVID-19 situation. Read below to keep up to date with what’s available in your region.
- Hobsons Bay – read here.
- Wyndham Together – read here.
- Moonee Valley – read here.
- Maribyrnong – read here.
- Brimbank – read here.
- Melton City Much More – Download the free app here to learn more.