Local community information
> Support
> Markets
> Public Transport
> Learning / Classes
> Recreation
> Council & Libraries
> Computers
> Volunteering
> Other
At South Port Community Housing Group we appreciate how hard it can be to get back on your feet after experiencing a period of housing crisis. Community can take on added importance for some people who have lost family connections.
We do our best to keep our tenants informed about what’s on locally. Keep your eye on the News and Events section of our website for notices about the regular local events and programs we run.
Below are some links that can help you connect to the local area and all it offers. These include places that are always looking for volunteers!
Support
Father Bob Maguire Foundation
Providing material, emotional and social support to whomever, whenever and wherever necessary.
Community meals: ‘Hopemobiles’ deliver meals and good conversation.
Times and locations:
Monday: 6.30pm Alma Park St Kilda
Tuesday: 6.30pm Cnr Farrell and Princes St, Port Melbourne
Wednesday: 7.00pm Courtyard 200 Dorcas Street, South Melbourne
Friday: 6.30pm Cnr Farrell and Princes St, Port Melbourne
Sunday: 6.30pm The Peanut Farm Reserve, Chaucer Street, St Kilda
Community pantry: food hampers for members of the community experiencing food insecurity and hardship as a result of escalating living costs.
Port Phillip Council Social Support and Recreation
Council facilities and groups for older people.
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/social-support-recreation.htm
Markets
South Melbourne Market
Corner of Cecil and Coventry Street, South Melbourne
The market has been a local meeting place forever.
Many things here are cheaper and/or better and/or more interesting than you’ll find at the big retailers. And you are supporting small traders who are really committed to what they do.
There are big bargains to be had close to closing time.
Market days are Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
https://southmelbournemarket.com.au/
Tel: 9209 6295
South Melbourne Market Self Guided History Tour
South Melbourne market has free self-guided historical walking tour maps so you can find out about the rich, 150-year history of the Market and surrounding streets and buildings at your own pace.
Available at the Market Office on market days.
Or download via this link
https://southmelbournemarket.com.au/event/self-guided-historical-tours/
Public Transport
Local trams
The South Port area has an extensive network of tram routes.
Number 12 Tram: Richmond to St Kilda (Fitzroy Street) via Victoria Parade, city (Collins Street)and, South Melbourne (Clarendon Street), past MSAC, down Mills Street to Park/Paterson Streets; ends in Park Street at Fitzroy Street.
Number 1 Tram: East Coburg to South Melbourne Beach (Albert Park) via Coburg, East Brunswick, Carlton, city, Park Street, South Melbourne, Victoria Street Albert Park; ends in Victoria Street at Beaconsfield Parade (at the beach).
Number 96 Tram: East Brunswick to St Kilda (Acland Street) via Fitzroy, city (Bourke Street) and Ferrars Street/Canterbury Road to Acland Street; ends in Acland Street.
Number 109 Tram: Box Hill to Port Melbourne. Starts at Box Hill Central, then Whitehorse Road, Balwyn, Cotham Road, Kew, Victoria Street, Richmond and East Melbourne, city (Collins Street), Spencer Street, Normanby Street, Station Street, Port Melbourne. Ends at Port Melbourne beach.
http://www.yarratrams.com.au/using-trams/route-guides/
Learning/Classes
Neighbourhood Houses and Classes in Port Phillip
The City of Port Phillip publishes a guide available on its website or in hard copy at Council offices.
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/communitycourses_classes.htm
Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre
Computer classes, community gardening, bridge groups, scrabble group, yoga, meditation, exercise, tai chi, Speaking Out Group, reading and writing, employment training in customer service, performance skills, art classes.
http://www.pmnc.org.au/
Recreation
Albert Park
One of the loveliest destinations in Melbourne for a picnic or walk.
Beautiful lake with black swans; gardens, barbecues.
http://parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/albert-park
Local walks and rides, including Rochelle’s mystery tour
The City of Port Phillip website has a list of local walking and cycling tours. This includes a ‘mystery tour of Port Melbourne’s history’ compiled by one of our tenants, Rochelle. Go Rochelle! The self-guided tours can be downloaded from the website.
https://heritage.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Whats_on/Walks_In_Port_Phillip/Self_guided_walks_rides
Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre
Phone: 9926 1555
Swimming, gym and sports centre.
Adult Swim $8.20; Concession $5.60
Group fitness classes. Concession prices available.
Book a badminton court, table tennis table, squash court or casual hoop shooting basketball.
https://www.melbournesportshub.com.au/msac/admission-prices/
Station Pier, Port Melbourne
Destination for the world’s big cruise ships. Check out the monster ships which dock here very regularly. Timetable online.
http://www.vicports.vic.gov.au/cruise-shipping/Pages/cruise-shipping.aspx
Gasworks Art Park
21 Graham Street, Albert Park Phone: 8606 4200
Free art exhibitions, farmers’ market monthly, special events and performances
http://www.gasworks.org.au/
National Gallery Victoria
Free entry. Open 364 days per year 10am to 5pm.
International collection- NGV St Kilda Road.
Autralian collection- Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square.
Phone: 8620 2222
https://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/visit/
Port Phillip life activities
Walking groups, sausage sizzles, coffee groups, music groups, cinema group, bridge group, bushwalking group, badminton group, and more.
http://life.org.au/the-clubs/port-phillip/
Port Phillip Council Social Support and Recreation
Council facilities and groups for older people.
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/social-support-recreation.htm
Council & Libraries
The local Council
The City of Port Phillip has been a leader in local government thinking about, and action on, community housing for many years. It also actively funds new housing and supports local community housing organisations.
The general public can attend Council meetings. If you’re keen to find out more about the City of Port Phillip, here is the link that tells you who your local Councillors are and how to find out about attending a Council meeting.
http://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/about_your_council.htm
Public Libraries in City Port Phillip
Library branches are at:
South Melbourne, 195 Bank Street
Albert Park, 319 Montague Street
Middle Park, 254 Richardson Street
Port Melbourne, 333 Bay Street
St Kilda, 150 Carlisle Street
At the libraries you can use a computer and the internet.
You need to be a library member (free to join) and might need to book.
Port Phillip Heritage Centre is at 195 Bank Street, South Melbourne, and contains resources to help you trace local history, family history.
The library service also runs guided walks and has copies of self-guided walks of interest in the local area.
https://library.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Using_the_library/Library_branches_and_hours
https://library.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Looking_for
Computers
Computers – where to get one
Computerbank: refurbished desktop and laptop computers with a keyboard, a mouse, monitor, cords, a user guide and importantly they are Internet ready and have word processing and a range of free programs. Desktop computers less than $100; laptops less than $200 for people with concession card.
Friday 10am to 5pm
Saturday 12.30 to 5pm
483 Victoria St, West Melbourne Tel: 9600 9161
http://www.computerbank.org.au/
Computers- learning how to use them
Port Melbourne Neighbourhood Centre has regular classes for beginners.
Port Phillip Library Service provides support and assistance at any library branch.
The libraries can set you up with online training through “the Computer School” and “Dynamic Training Online”.
https://library.portphillip.vic.gov.au/Using_the_library/Library_branches_and_hours
Volunteering
Organisations needing regular volunteers
If you are able to get out and about, and are getting bored, here are some great organisations that can always use some volunteer help. Give them a call.
St Vincent de Paul Society – “Vinnie’s”
Other
Port Phillip Men’s Shed
Not all Men’s Sheds are the same- if you looked inside you might see a number of men making furniture, perhaps restoring bicycles for a local school, making Mynah bird traps, fixing lawn mowers or making a cubby house. You might also see a few young men working with the older men obtaining new skills and learning something about life from the men with whom they work. You will see tea-bags, coffee cups and a sitting area.
The local Men’s Shed is based at two locations:
St Luke’s Church, Dorcas Street, (behind Coles), on Saturday mornings.
Uniting Church, Dorcas Street, (near Ferrars Street), on Saturday afternoons.
All welcome.
Don Laird, Secretary, Mob: 0438 001 721
Bob Small, President, Mob: 0417 067 319
https://mens-shed.org.au/
U3A Port Phillip
If you’re retired or semi-retired and live in the City of Port Phillip, you can stay mentally active by learning new skills at the University of the Third Age. By participating in daytime classes at a local venue, you’ll also find new friends and enrich your retirement lifestyle.
U3APP offers many courses such as Spanish, Italian, Yoga, Meditation, Mahjong, Film Appreciation, Photoshop, Life Drawing, and many more. The annual membership fee is very modest.
https://www.u3app.org.au/
“Even while being excluded by a range of structural causes which push them to the edge, what people want most is to participate in, and contribute to, society.”