Avalon’s drop in centre has been operating for 22 years. Although the chief focus is still on the intellectually disabled, a warm welcome extended to anyone who wants to come. It provides an opportunity to meet new friends, relax and share a cuppa.
A day of surprises, adventures, new experiences and making new friends.
Everyone is welcome to join in to experience a wide range of recreational, educational and therapeutic activities. Activities planned include excursions in the Avalon bus, social events (BBQs and picnics), and opportunities to learn new crafts and skills.
Every week is a new adventure!
For details of the coming week's programme please call Avalon on 9569-2240.
THE AVALON BUS
The Avalon Bus, 'The Moving Heart of Gold' , is available for day trips for those who have restricted access to transport and recreation. (Please note that we do not have a lift for electric wheelchairs but are able to provide folding wheelchairs.)
The Bus plays a vital role in our Day With Avalon programme and also providing transport for our Drop- In Visitors.
The Avalon bus also is the means of identifying where the problems are in the community and accessing those in need.
NEWS
Bunnings Barbecue
On Saturday 28th August we held our Community Fundraisng Barbecue at the Bunnings store in Nottinghill. It was a wonderful success and we are grateful to the committed volunteers and students that attended and worked tirelessly all day. Also thank you to Bunnings whose generosity in facilitating these events made it all happen. They provide the barbecue, the gas and the customers! Thank you Bunnings!
Homeless Project
Every Sunday evening for over a year now the Avalon bus has been headed for Melbourne's
CBD to donate goods - mainly clothing,
shoes and bedding, to the homeless in Melbourne. The term 'homeless' does not include just those 'sleeping rough' in parks and gardens;
those living in rooming houses and bedsits, although under roofs, are
equally - if not more - lacking connections to, and inclusion by the
wider community.
A group of committed volunteers come out every week to help distribute the goods. It has been an enriching experience for aa and has made us aware of how vulnerable people can become in this society. We are getting to know the regulars now and have developed a good relationship with quite a few. Some of whom have dropped in to our weekly Drop-In on Mondays to meet some other Avalonians.
We have also been able to help in
other, smaller ways, such as taking individuals to hospital or trying
to find emergency accommodation. We cannot, unfortunately, take more
than 5 or 6 people to help - we need all the room we can get for the
goods! But if you would like to come along and make a difference to
one of the least visible disadvantaged groups in our community please
let us know.
WANTED: Blankets, sleeping bags and big Jackets. We have been very lucky with the donations of clothes we have received but we ALWAYS need more! If you can help please call
or email us. We can come and pick up if you are unable to drop it in to us.
Bushfire Relief
Please see our Projects - Past & Current
page for more information on our involvement with the relief efforts
for bushfire survivors; there is also an album of photos on the Faces of Avalon - select 'Bushfire Relief'.
If you want to help with a donation, cash can be transferred by internet or at any NAB branch into our account:
Name: Avalon Centre Inc
BSB: 083187
A/C: 8251 26038
...or cheques can be sent
to us at 1936 Malvern Rd, East Malvern, 3145. Don't forget that all
donations over $2 are tax-deductible, so please let us know where to
send your receipt.
Note that every cent you donate will go to the survivors; Avalon has no overheads, no paid staff and we cover all associated costs. Any material
donations (tools, wheelbarrows, tarps, etc only please - no more food) can also be delivered and left at the same address, or we
can arrange pick-up, by calling Deborah or Gordon on (03) 9569-2240.
