Christmas is in full swing across the hills and Monbulk Outdoor Movie Nights are showing “The Grinch” on Saturday 16 December.
People can come down to the St. Georges Street Paddock in Monbulk from 6.30pm and set up on a picnic blanket or snag a blow-up chair (first in, best dressed) for the movie.
Monbulk & District Community Opportunities Working (MADCOW) group member Lucy Beach said it is a great family night out and that the group hopes to continue holding the summer movie nights and the first showing in November was a lot of fun.
“Last month, we had some music before the movie started and the kids were all dancing,” she said.
Sponsorship from Bendigo Bank has made the purchase of the 23/34 summer films possible and a storm recovery grant from Yarra Ranges Council that came into activation this year has made it possible to purchase the film projector.
“We won a grant from the Yarra Ranges Council, which was from the Monbulk Traders and auspiced by MADCOW,” she said.
“It’s basically a combination of us all working together, just to do something nice for the community.
“We decided to buy an outdoor cinema, we thought it was just such a lovely thing to do. So we will continue to do it every summer.”
Acting director of communities, Corinne Bowen said that the Yarra Ranges Council is thrilled to have been able to support so many fantastic festive events put on by their business and trader groups.
“So many of our townships – including Monbulk, Upwey, Kallista, Healesville, Olinda, Sassafras, Belgrave, Montrose, Lilydale and Mooroolbark are hosting family friendly events including Twilight Shopping Evenings, Outdoor Movies Nights and Seasonal Street Parties,“ she said.
“Many of these groups have been supported by our Business and Trader Group Recovery Grants, and we’re excited to be adding a little extra seasonal spirit to the celebrations with our Festive Busking Series, which has placed some of our incredible local performers at these events.”
Locals can attend the movies for free and bring their own snacks or picnic or buy from local community groups running food options and popcorn on the night.
“We wanted to get back to the community as well – so if people do come and buy popcorn, food, ice cream, all that money is going back to the community group, last month, it was a Girl Guide group,” she said.
The movies will air every third Saturday of the month until March 2024 at the St Georges Church Picnic Paddock, 75 Main Road Monbulk.
The Grinch Saturday 16 December
Spiderman: Across the Spider-verse Saturday 26 January
The Labyrinth 17 February
The Mario Movie 16 March
Popcorn, food and refreshments will be sold by alternating community groups and will be available from 6.30pm – the movie will start as the sun sets.
