Here you can find all of the news that you would find in our latest newsletter, and sometimes… just a little bit extra!

Please click to view and save a copy of the latest Learning Centre newsletter. *There is a lot of new information on the website, and some new pages have been created as well - be sure to check them all out!*

Thankyou for helping us to reduce costs. Feel free to print off the newsletter and either post the Enrolment Form with your cheque, or bring it into the Centre during opening hours. You are also able to email your enrolment, with details of your online payment, to Lindsay at the Centre on .

Welcome to Term 1, 2010

Well, what can you say about Term 4 2009, apart from commenting how quickly it began and then was over! The Centre is certainly buzzing, with full classes, crèche operating at full capacity, and Play Programs so popular that both are booked out right through to the end of 2010. Obviously the word has spread about the incredible work done by Liz Mercer and her assistant Donna, in creating and implementing interesting, play-based play programs, as well as providing a fun, caring place for all the children who use the crèche. We wish Liz a speedy recovery from her shoulder injury, suffered when she was doing, as she always does, her best to protect the more adventurous of her “charges” from coming to any harm. The last few weeks of term were a steep learning curve for Liz & Donna, as they endeavoured to manhandle Dylan & his wheelchair down the back steps (we now think that a ramp would be a good idea). Dylan managed to break his leg in 2 places falling off monkey bars (not at the Learning Centre I might add). His mum Vicki is now very experienced at navigating the Centre corridors with a wheelchair – we hope Dylan is back on his feet soon (and I’m sure so does Vicki!)

Our Fitness classes have remained very popular, with all sessions full. And we have rented out “The Craft Shed” to our fitness “guru” Laurie, who has transformed it into a designated fitness studio. All of our classes had new members this term, and Delphi’s Yoga classes were as popular as ever, with many “casual” people taking advantage of the evening class held at St Patricks.

Coffee, Cake & Conversation, a series of talks with morning or afternoon tea and one lunch, were enjoyed by all who attended. It was great to hear what our members get up to when they are not at the Learning Centre, and proved to be a great opportunity for socialising. Many thanks to Elizabeth, Annette, Jenny, and Liz and Brad for taking the time to share their interests with us. The last in the series, a relaxation session followed by a vegetarian luncheon, was organised by Delphi & her Yoga devotees. Everyone looked very “serene” as they sat together and shared the lunch – and yes, the Spinach & Ricotta Cannelloni recipe IS in the cookbook. Thanks to all the classes for hosting these events, and to all the cooks who, in true Centre tradition, put on a great spread. In conjunction with the luncheon, Delphi also organised a mini-market, with vendors selling many different things (jewellery, cards, baby clothes, Christmas Puddings, etc.) which would make great Christmas gifts – thanks Delphi – it was a great idea. Two of the vendors elected to give their profits to charity ($65.00 went to Sivananda Math, an organisation aiding underprivileged communities in India), and others donated 10% of their profits to the Centre (approx $50.00). Thanks to everyone who participated.

The Christmas High-Tea was also a great success, with 27 members attending. Everyone enjoyed the great variety of food provided (I have included the recipe for Zans’ cake in this newsletter) and it was a fitting end to a very busy year. Congratulations to Leslie Nicholson (from the Watercolour class) who won the Christmas Hamper (wrapped beautifully by Liz) and Vicki Poole (Mosaics) who claimed the second prize (a mini hamper!). Proceeds from the sale of raffle tickets amounted to $184.00, with all goodies in the hampers being donated by members. Thankyou everyone. Special thanks to Liz, Zan & Sue for decorating the room for the event. Thanks to all members who got into the spirit of “giving” and donated items for the “other” hamper, which Delphi took to St Patricks so that it could be forwarded to Anglicare for inclusion in their Christmas Hampers.

Fundraising was not a high priority for us in Term 4, but Delphi did manage to organise, with lots of help from Liz and Donna, all the kids in the crèche to draw themselves, and then these drawings were printed onto a tea-towel, which all parents dutifully purchased to give to “Nanna” for Christmas. Our other pleasant fundraising surprise, just before Christmas, was a cheque from Identity Direct for $179. Thanks to our members who ordered a total of more than $800.00 worth of goodies from the catalogues that I distributed during the term.

And the cookbook? Yes – it finally happened too. Sue Arnautovic, her daughter Kate and yours truly, typed all the recipes during the term. Sue cooked a selection of recipes and photographed them. She also painted the watercolour which graces the front cover (and which she generously donated to be raffled off during first term – every copy of the book purchased includes a free entry in the raffle), as well as all the small sketches which are scattered throughout. I collated all the sections, and then our web mistress, Bel Doley, did a final re-format so that the finished product looked very professional. SO, IF YOU WANT A COPY, BEFORE THEY ARE ALL SOLD, CALL LINDSAY IN THE OFFICE (view the ad here)

The Centre itself is looking very spick & span. City of Stirling repaired the front verandah posts and recoated the concrete. They also pulled out the old front garden plants and replanted, mulched, and installed bollards to protect the new gardens. We appreciate their efforts.

Don’t forget – enrol in classes as soon as you can – email is best during the holidays (I do check the emails once a week). Have a great term,

Lindsay

The Learning Centre - 31 Years Young
This photograph captures the essence of the community spirit that is present at the Mount Lawley Neighbourhood Learning Centre. It’s a place in our community where we can come together and spend special time learning in a friendly and supportive, environment. People of all ages and from all walks of life are welcomed with open arms to share in the learning, creativity and activities.

The Centre offers people the opportunity to meet like minded friends and have some “time out” for themselves to explore their own creativity by getting involved in the many varied classes, activities, and special interest groups available.

Some of the classes offered include watercolour, patchwork, yoga, mosaics, craft and cooking. Our special interest groups include art gallery crawls, and book clubs.

The children also enjoy their time at the Centre. The crèche and childrens’ classes and activities are a lot of fun! The warmth and sharing of everyone at the Centre creates a special bond between it’s members. We share our stories and laughs over a nice cuppa and always leave with a smile on our face.

General Enquiries and Enrolments during School Term: Tuesday to Thursday 10.30 am to 1.30 pm. Existing members Please remember that you need to enroll formally in the office and note that all fees are payable in full at the first lesson.

Mini Market Tuesday 15th June & Tuesday 7th December 2010, 10–12noon
Owing to the success and attendance at the December 2009 Mini Market at the Centre, the 2010 Mini Markets have been scheduled as above, with a bowl of soup to follow!

These Mini Markets are an opportunity for our members and friends to sell any home made crafts or other items which could be used as presents. For example, the December Mini Market had jewellery, cards and wrapping paper, home made dolls and aprons, Christmas decorations and home made Christmas puddings and pies, second hand - toys, baby clothes, toys, Christmas decorations, toiletries and vases.

Places will be limited so please make your interest known if you wish to participate as a seller by emailing the Centre ( ) with subject heading MINI MARKET. Further details to be announced closer to the time.

Annual General Meeting Tuesday 30th March at 10.30am

If you have ever considered taking on a Committee Position then this is the time to do it! The Centre needs Fresh Faces, Fresh Ideas and Rejuvenation. If you value the Centre and wish it to continue, please support us. To contact any of the committee members, or to become a volunteer committee member, please call the Centre on 9271 4461 and leave your details and a message. Your message will be passed onto the appropriate person and actioned accordingly.

Enrolment Day for Term 1 new members Monday 1st February, 10.30 am - 1.30 pm

The Centre is open normally for enrolments or enquiries Tues to Thurs 10.30 am - 1.30 pm, during the school term.

As per usual, enrolments can be made in person on enrolment day, or by phone once the office is open. Mail enrolments are also accepted (mail is collected during the holidays), or send Lindsay an email ( ), making sure you are clear which courses you wish to enrol in and whether or not you require crèche (name and ages of children please). Payment would be appreciated by the end of the first week of term.

We would like to remind our new members that the Centre is not open during the school holidays. Postal enrolments are very welcome and we suggest no cash by post other than crossed cheques.

Out of courtesy to our volunteer teachers we need all enrolments in by the first week so that we are able to inform them if the class will run, and numbers they are to prepare for. In summary, enrolments can be made by:

• mail during the holidays;
• in person or by phone on Enrolment Day, Monday 1st February; or
• during term Tuesday to Thursday, 10.30 am - 1.30 pm.

Existing members

• Remember that you need to enroll formally in the office and note that all fees are payable in full at the first lesson.
• No re-enrolments will be taken until all outstanding monies have been paid. (NB: This action has become necessary as a first step to address our cash flow issues).

Net Banking
For those of you who wish to take advantage of this method of payment money can be paid directly into our bank account, details as follows:
Name of Account:   Mt Lawley Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Bank: Westpac BSB: 036 045 Account No: 641156
PLEASE QUOTE: “Fees” and “your name” (please also email confirmation of payment to the office – )