Birthday spirit still alive

THE Selby House committee is preparing to celebrate 30-years of community spirit in the Dandenongs with a folk festival and an open day on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 November.
Established in 1975, the Selby House was the first community house in the Shire of Sherbrooke, and one of the first set up in Victoria.
Former chairperson Anne O’Dwyer said this came at a time when the Whitlam Government developed their ‘people power’ model for grass-roots participation.
Ms O’Dwyer said through this model the Australian Assistance Plan was devised by a group of visionary and like-minded people, who jumped on the idea to create the concept of community houses.
She said from that beginning the Kallista, Coonara and Emerald Community Houses quickly sprang up and there was a mushrooming of community houses across Victoria.
A founding member of the Selby House, Joecelyn Aytan, said some playgroup mothers in 1975 initially moved into a tiny condemned house owned by the Shire of Sherbrooke, and the house had grown in leaps and bounds.
Ms Aytan said after 30 years the community house was still going strong and was an integral part of the community.
A folk festival on the Saturday will kick-start a weekend of celebrations to commemorate the birthday.
Organised by the Selby Folk Club, the celebration will start at 10am in the community house, at the Minak Reserve on Wombalana Road, Selby, and will run late into the night.
A community market will also be one of the highlights of the day, with a variety of stalls selling arts, craft, food, and drink.
Continuing the birthday cheer on the Sunday, from 12 to 4pm, an open day will feature a variety of activities including pottery making, belly dancing, and music.
Call Hanni or Michelle on 9754 2039 for more information on the birthday celebrations.