Homestead Community and Learning Centre Roxburgh Park

Happy New Year! 🎉🎇

Thank you for being part of our amazing community! We’re excited for all that’s to come and grateful for your continued support.

Here’s to a wonderful year ahead filled with connection, learning, new friendships, and opportunities.

– 🫶 The Homestead Team

Merry Christmas from Homestead Community and Learning Centre! 🎄🎁🎅

Wishing our amazing community a Christmas filled with joy, peace, and festive cheer.

– 💖 The Homestead Team

🎄✨ Holiday Opening Hours at Homestead Community & Learning Centre ✨🎄

The festive season is here! Our operating hours over Christmas and New Year are:
✅ Monday 22 December: 8.30am – 5pm
✅ Tuesday 23 December: 8.30am – 5pm
✅ Wednesday 24 December: 8.30am – 3pm
🎅 Closed from Thursday 25 December to Sunday 4 January for the holidays.

We’ll reopen with regular office hours from Monday 5 January 2026.

From all of us at the Homestead, we wish you a joyful Christmas and a wonderful New Year! Enjoy the break, and we’ll see you in 2026!🌟

The Homestead Term 1 Brochure is here! 📣📚

As we wrap up 2025, we want to thank our amazing Homestead community for such an incredible year — and we’re excited to share what’s coming up next term. 🫶

From community lunches and social groups to fitness and advisory services, start your 2026 with creativity, connection and community at the Homestead.

Explore the brochure here 👉https://www.hume.vic.gov.au/files/sharedassets/public/v/4/residents/libraries-and-community-facilities/community-centre-programs/homestead/term-1-2026-homestead-4pp-a5-297-x-210-mm.pdf

Help us shape potential new social groups at the Homestead! 💬🫶🌳

At Homestead, we’re always looking for new ways to connect and grow together as a community. We want to expand our free social groups — especially those that make use of our gardens and shared spaces. Based on feedback from recent our programs and community drop-ins, we’ve put together a short list of ideas.

They include:
🐾 Dog Walking Group – Bring your furry friend and enjoy a friendly walk around the Homestead. Everyone (and every dog) is welcome!
🎨 Plein-Air Paint & Sketch Group – Grab your sketchbook, pencils, or paints and get creative in the Homestead gardens. A relaxing, inspiring setting for all skill levels.
🐦 Birdwatching Group – Bring your binoculars and the Birds of Hume Field Guide to spot our feathered friends in a casual, social setting.
🧵 Additional Sewing Group – Like our current sewing group, bring your project and enjoy a fun, social environment. All experience levels welcome!

If any of these sound like you — or if you have your own idea — we’d love to hear from you! If we receive enough interest, we hope to launch these groups in 2026.

Express your interest here 👉 https://ow.ly/8Yzl50XHXGU

What a year at the Homestead! 🏡🥳🙌

In 2025, we welcomed over 1,282 attendees, launched 17 new programs, and created spaces for connection, learning, and wellbeing. And, over 51% of participants say they’ve made a friend at Homestead! From Workshops and Art Projects, Health and Wellness events, Community Lunches and Hubs, and our stunning Mural of Resilience — we have cherished every moment.

A big thank you from everyone at the Homestead team for being part of this incredible year! We wish you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to 2026.

Read our full Year in Review and see what’s coming up in Term 1 2026 👉 https://mailchi.mp/hume/coz7cb4sl3-5182988

Join us for one of our final Term 4 events: Women’s Circle – Mindful Rest for the Holiday Season ✨🎄🧘‍♀️

In this 90-minute gathering, we'll slow down, breathe, and explore what mindful rest can look like during a busy season. Through guided mindfulness practices and simple rest techniques, we'll create a space for reflection and renewal in a supportive community of women.

This circle is perfect for anyone feeling overwhelmed by holiday preparations, craving connection with other women in the community, or simply needing permission to rest.

🌸 What to expect:
• Mindful grounding and gentle breathwork
• A welcoming space to share and be heard
• Simple rest and relaxation practice
• Connection with other women in your community
• A guided reflection to support a calmer holiday season

🎒What to bring:
• Comfortable clothing
• A journal, water bottle, or anything that helps you feel at ease

The session will be facilitated by Cindy Ho from Rest without Guilt, and light refreshments will be provided.

✅ All women are welcome! No mindfulness or meditation experience is needed. Just come as you are.
📅 Sunday 14 December
⏰ 2pm – 3.30pm
Register here 👉 www.hume.vic.gov.au/womens-circle

🌿🦜 Happy Wildlife Conservation Day! 🌿🦜

Today we celebrate the incredible wildlife that calls our community home — and the importance of protecting it for future generations.

The Homestead Community & Learning Centre is surrounded by beautiful gardens and trees, creating a haven for local wildlife. If you’ve visited us, you’ve probably seen Cockatoos, Rainbow Lorikeets, Rosellas, Red-rumped Parrots, Noisy Miners, Magpies and many more feathered friends perched in the treetops or swooping through the gardens!

🌱 Why it matters:
Our green spaces provide food, shelter, and nesting spots for native birds and other species. By caring for these spaces, we help conserve biodiversity right here in Hume City.

✅ How you can help:
• Plant native trees and shrubs
• Avoid using harmful chemicals in your gardens
• Provide fresh water for birds and wildlife

📍 Drop into the Homestead and enjoy the sights and sounds of nature in our own backyard!

📸 Photos captured by the Homestead team

Today is International Day of People with Disability 🌍✨💜
It's a day to raise awareness, promote inclusivity, and uphold the rights of people living with disabilities.

The Homestead is proud to help create an inclusive and diverse community in Hume City through programs and services that support everyone, including:

📚 The Hume Library Van (Van Go)
Packed with books and resources, VanGo visits Homestead every Wednesday. Borrow or return books, set up a library card, and enjoy fully accessible library services close to home—no need to travel far!

💜 The Carers Connection Hub
A welcoming space for carers to connect, build friendships, gain knowledge and skills, share experiences, and support their wellbeing.
📅 Thursdays | ⏰ 12.30pm – 2pm
📣 We're also proud to announce that this program is continuing next Term in 2026!

✅ Accessibility at Homestead
Wheelchair-friendly venue with accessible rooms and garden pathways.

Find out more about accessible services and programs across Hume 👉 www.hume.vic.gov.au/Disability-Support

Hume City Council and the team at the Homestead acknowledges the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and officially begins the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence 🧡

We encourage everyone to support one another, explore available resources, and take action to help prevent gender-based violence in our community 👉 www.hume.vic.gov.au/16days 📚🤝

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If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, help is available.
Victoria Police, 000 - contact police immediately if you or someone you know is in any immediate danger.
Safe Steps, 1800 015 188, [email protected] - Victoria's 24/7 domestic and family violence response centre for victim-survivors. Phone and email services are available 24/7. Live web chat is available 9am - 9pm Monday to Friday.
1800 RESPECT, 1800 737 732 - The national sexual assault, domestic violence and family violence counselling service. Phone and online services are available 24/7.
Men's Referral Service, 1300 766 491 - Provides anonymous and confidential telephone counselling, information and referrals to men, to help them take action to stop using violent and controlling behaviour.