In this issue, we meet some of the locals who care about homelessness.

On the cover are Henry and Mark from Father Bob’s Community Pantry. There’s also Donna who helps out by using her skills as a hairdresser. We’ve also got handy contacts for agencies that care and a list of places to get a free feed every day of the week..

You’ll also get an insight into the day-to-day struggles from the crew at the Port Phillip Community Group. We also take a look at Wintringham, an aged care service right here in Port Melbourne that welcomes people who have struggled with homelessness.

This edition also links seniors to a range of activities to keep them connected and social in the winter months and beyond.

And just to show off our love of compost, we look at Veg Out Community Gardens and Council’s community compost waste reduction ideas. You’ll learn about green cones that will put your FOGO in the zone.

Plus an amazing list of local events, including all the buzz from the St Kilda Film Festival.

All this and more in the latest Divercity.

From the colourful cover to the action packed event pages, Divercity showcases the style and substance of our neighbourhoods.

Meet Abuk and Afadang who bring the colour and style of South Sudan to life through their sewing collective. A few pages later, meet Susan and Ella who are leaders in theatre. Walk along the foreshore and you might stumble across David, a mathematician and artist reimagining paintings from the 19^th century.

Plus there’s a pond built by volunteers near a 700 year old tree with a great Indigenous story. There’s also a snap of eco-teens exploring the reefs of Point Ormond with the Port Philip EcoCentre team.

And now there are more ways to better deal with e-waste – that ever growing collection of unwanted stuff we have in our houses, like old phone chargers, routers and alike.

All this and more in Divercity 97 March – April 19

The latest Divercity is probably the most diverse we’ve ever produced – once again we showcase many ways that you can be more involved in your community.

Join others as they reflect on the centenary of Armistice Day in 1918. There’s a new peace garden and several neighbourhood walks to visit sites of significance related to WWI. You can learn about the War through the service stories of people from Heath Street in Port Melbourne – it’s fascinating and brings to life the service, sacrifice and enormity of events a century ago.

October also includes the Port Phillip Seniors Festival with three big dances to get feet tapping and hearts racing. Check the details alongside a range of other local events in October and November – including HOWLoween for doggies – woof woof.

Meet the stormwater detectives from Council who are using robot mounted CCTV to explore our stormwater drains and keep them flowing – watch for their nifty electric vehicle in a street near you soon.

On the cover, you’ll also meet Kamal who runs free soccer clinics for youngsters in Port Melbourne. As a refugee arriving in Australian in 2003, he’s followed an interest in football to get involved (and employed) in his community. Now he’s helping others enjoy the beautiful game and get involved.

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Much of this Divercity celebrates community efforts to bring sustainable ideas into their everyday routine. It’s simple but inspiring stuff.

The youngest citizens are learning about the basics like composting and growing vegetables in the childcare centres. Young wildlife enthusiasts and Elwood residents are backing a clever plan to boost wetlands around Elster Creek to reduce flooding while boosting the environment. School mums and dads are happily washing dishes at school events to reduce litter.

While at the South Melbourne Market shellfish waste is being diverting to a unique program to build new mussel reefs in out Bay.

There’s also many local events in sustainability, the arts and community. Indeed, there’s no time to waste – get into your Divercity.

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Divercity March – April looks at how Port Phillip is growing while striving to retain a welcoming local character. The cover features the fabulous new high rise school in the new neighbourhood of Montague. Rising five storeys high, the school includes Council managed maternal / child health services, a kindergarten and sport facilities.

We meet seniors trying a new fitness sensation; join the weekly faith and food gathering at the Hare Krishna in Albert Park that’s open to all; get a glimpse of some of the top local designs that will be celebrated and awarded at the NGV in March; and look in depth at the new planning rules that promise to help retain neighbourhood character.

Combine this with a potpourri of local events, news from community groups and a preview of the new Pride Centre – and bingo – you have the next edition of Divercity.

Divercity October – November 2017 celebrates the many ways our community invites participation and gives people more opportunities to belong. Sing in a choir, enjoy a night out, build a park and get seniors together for their very own local festival.

We also reflect on the shameful arrest of two women in 1977 for holding hands on a tram. Their journey, and the stories of other women, will be told during a tram ride and afternoon tea during Seniors Festival.

And, as usual, there are details of lots of things to do in our community: walk for causes, keeping active, arts & theatre and a host of seniors’ events.

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Divercity covers topics of interest to residents of Balaclava, Port Melbourne, South Melbourne, Albert Park, Middle Park, St Kilda Road, St Kilda, Elwood and Ripponlea.

Editorial suggestions are welcome: [email protected]

Meet locals who are reducing waste in very crafty ways. Georgie Faircloth and how her art on a crowd funded drinking fountain attracts people to refill rather than buy water. Leather worker Louise sells recycled leather wallets and more at the Esplanade Craft Market. While teams of people are making Boomerang Bags to help you say no to plastic bags while shopping. Don’t forget the pre-loved clothing at the new Greeves St. op shop in Belford Street, because changing your wardrobe could help change a life.

You can also meet Peter Smith, the new Port Phillip CEO. His last gig was CEO at Adelaide City, so he’s got lots of experience and ideas.

There’s more than 30 local events to tempt you out this winter, including the wonders at MAP57 of the St Kilda triangle and much more.

Plus a lift out about the Council Plan.

In letterboxes from 17 July.

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Listen to a one-minute posdacst interview with Georgie who painted the O-fountain