By Mikayla van Loon
Lilydale Community House (LCH) is preparing to launch into term three of its first year in operation, with a selection of new programs coming to the centre in July.
With basket weaving, yoga for mental wellbeing, photography and language classes, LCH coordinator Suyin Chan said there will be a wide variety of activities on offer.
“We’re offering a diverse selection. We’re trying new things each term to try to address what people in the community have fed back to us of what they would like to see,” she said.
Back by popular demand, Ms Chan said the Auslan classes will be returning in term three.
“We’re hoping we can get the momentum happening again, there was an enormous amount of interest in that, so we’d love people to come to those classes,” she said.
Ms Chan believes the presence of Auslan interpreters at the press conferences during the height of the pandemic triggered an interest in learning the skill.
“I think it’s probably created far more interest than it normally would…It’s very valuable for people in the deaf community who know sign language and that will make it easier for people to converse with others who know sign language.”
Another well-received class has been Playing with Paint, a ‘paint what you like’ introduction to the artform that runs fortnightly.
“Playing with Paint has been very popular. So people come along and they can paint whatever they like. There’s no judgement, we leave judgement at the door and just come and have a go at painting,” Ms Chan said.
New to the creative offerings in the program are photography classes with a professional photographer who will show the basics for both a DSLR and a phone camera.
Exercise classes for kids and for the older generations will be returning again, with the addition of a Thursday yoga and relaxation class.
“It’s our first try at providing yoga, so we’re just going to run with it and give it a go.”
Building up the Falls and Balances classes from just six people to a group of 25 in attendance every Wednesday in Melba Park, Ms Chan said this would definitely be returning.
While age groups vary from children to retired adults, Ms Chan said drawing interest from the middle age group has been more of a challenge.
“We do want to attract younger families to try things like basket weaving or learning how to take photographs or even Auslan because they’re things that can be done in the evening or on the weekend, which is what we deliberately set out to do. We’re trying to provide more opportunities on Saturdays and evening classes.”
Still in the works are classes on crocheting and an environmental sustainability workshop which should be coming soon to the community house.
Find Lilydale Community House at 7 Hardy Street Lilydale. To contact or enquire about any programs call 7036 6813 or email lilydalecommunityhouse@chaosnetwork.org.au
