Banksia Gardens Community Services

Banksia Gardens Community Services linktr.ee/banksiagardenscs

Banksia Gardens Community Services, a vibrant organisation in the heart of Broadmeadows, is a neighbourhood house, a learn local, a registered charity, and committed to community development and action research principles.

Over the past few weeks, local artist, staff member and Gamilaroi woman Emma Russell has been sharing her culture and cr...
11/06/2026

Over the past few weeks, local artist, staff member and Gamilaroi woman Emma Russell has been sharing her culture and creativity across our Hume community.

She has run workshops with the El Amal Women’s Group, facilitated a weaving workshop with NECCHi Houses and delivered a cultural learning session for parents at Coolaroo South Primary School Community Hub. Each session community has learned about Aboriginal art, culture and native plants, and painted traditional symbols using ochre Emma Russell gathered from a nearby creek.

We took two of our Good Start participants, Dontay and Cameron, to the Deadly Job Fair last week at the Aborigines Advan...
02/06/2026

We took two of our Good Start participants, Dontay and Cameron, to the Deadly Job Fair last week at the Aborigines Advancement League Inc. Vic.

They had great chats with the Fire Brigade’s cultural wellbeing team and several job providers, and explored pathways in security, traffic management, fire safety and FIFO work.

And a big shout‑out to Cameron who is completing a short course at Kangan this week!

National Reconciliation Week began yesterday, a time to reflect on the 1967 Referendum, the Mabo decision, and the ongoi...
28/05/2026

National Reconciliation Week began yesterday, a time to reflect on the 1967 Referendum, the Mabo decision, and the ongoing work of truth‑telling and reconciliation.

This week encourages us to deepen our understanding of First Nations histories, cultures and achievements, and to consider how we can contribute to reconciliation as individuals, as an organisation, and as a community.

We are proud to be working on our Reconciliation Action Plan, a significant step for our organisation.

The artwork shown is an Acknowledgement of Country piece by local Gamillaroi artist and staff member, Emma Russell.

[Image Description: A painted artwork by Gamillaroi artist, Emma Russell, features a Banksia flower in the centre with gradient circles with symbols of waterways, animals and humans. Surrounding this is land and sky.]

This olive season, our Common Bean Cafe and Common Green teams harvested 67kg of olives to support Playte’s fundraising ...
21/05/2026

This olive season, our Common Bean Cafe and Common Green teams harvested 67kg of olives to support Playte’s fundraising for farming resilience in Palestine 🇵🇸

Olive trees carry history, care and connection, and we are proud to contribute in a small but meaningful way, alongside others donating olives to help reach the 500kg goal.

After processing and bottling, and .hardingst will be hosting an event on 7 June, where the community olive oil will be available (details to come).

Huge thanks to Nick and Ahmad for leading the harvest 🫒

Congratulations to the El Amal Women’s Group for their incredible contribution to VIGIL by Outer Urban Projects16 women ...
19/05/2026

Congratulations to the El Amal Women’s Group for their incredible contribution to VIGIL by Outer Urban Projects

16 women participated in workshops, rehearsals, and 10 incredible performances, bringing stories and community voices to the stage. These performances explored important themes including gender-based violence, safety, race, belonging, war, and public and private violence through performance, storytelling, music, and movement.

We are so proud of the El Amal women’s dedication and the way they represented experiences of women from Arabic‑speaking backgrounds.

A big thank you to Outer Urban Projects and everyone involved in making this experience possible for our group.

The Oorja Women’s Group came together to celebrate Mother’s Day 💐Women shared beautiful poems, stories and songs, some w...
14/05/2026

The Oorja Women’s Group came together to celebrate Mother’s Day 💐

Women shared beautiful poems, stories and songs, some written for their mums, others for their children.

We followed it up with a round of bingo (with a few very lucky winners!) before wrapping up the afternoon by dancing together and sharing delicious food.

If you are a woman from the Indian community and would like to join this group, we would love to hear from you.
📞 Program Coordinator: 0426 462 342
📧 [email protected]

The Oorja Women’s Group meets every Saturday, 11am–1pm at Newbury Child and Community Centre in Craigieburn.

A program of our Kenley Court Neighbourhood House.

Our new 3-bay composting system is up and running in the community garden, and it’s bigger and better than ever!Last yea...
12/05/2026

Our new 3-bay composting system is up and running in the community garden, and it’s bigger and better than ever!

Last year we processed an incredible 3.4 tonnes of organic waste. This year we have already passed the 1 tonne mark, with the new bays alone responsible for 750kg of that! 

Next time you are at Banksia Gardens, come and see the system in action 🌱

[Image description: A woman holding a paintbrush and paint kneels in front of a large composting bay system with a mural of the composting process painted on the front.]

Have you spotted the new mural panels around the futsal pitch? Co‑designed by and our Kick’N’Mix young people, the mura...
06/05/2026

Have you spotted the new mural panels around the futsal pitch?

Co‑designed by and our Kick’N’Mix young people, the mural panels reflect our local sports community.

Big shoutout to Nick and Ahmad from Common Green for installing them as part of their social enterprise work, and yes, they’re coated to handle both tagging and Melbourne weather!

During the April school holidays, the Banksia Gardens Housing Estate community came together for another Play It Forward...
29/04/2026

During the April school holidays, the Banksia Gardens Housing Estate community came together for another Play It Forward creative restoration workshop at the Fir Cl playground. The day was full of energy and colour, offering activities like free-form mural painting, gardening, fibre arts, mosaic making and the ever-popular obstacle course.

Funded by Department of Families, Fairness and Housing - VIC Community Connections and the Australian Government Department of Education Social Cohesion Through Education programs, this project celebrates the strength and creativity of local residents reclaiming and reshaping public space. It gives children real opportunities to feel ownership, connection and pride in where they live.

Every child deserves safe, welcoming places to play. Days like this show how powerful and achievable that can be.

Next Thursday we are hosting Silvia’s Mexican Kitchen at Common Bean Cafe.For the second time, we are welcoming a local ...
15/04/2026

Next Thursday we are hosting Silvia’s Mexican Kitchen at Common Bean Cafe.

For the second time, we are welcoming a local resident as a guest chef, and this round, our longtime friend Silvia is cooking up a delicious spread of Mexican dishes. Swipe to see the menu! 

📅 Thursday 23 April
⏰ From 10am until sold out
📍 Common Bean Cafe, Kangan Institute

Address

71-81 Pearcedale Parade
Melbourne, VIC
3047

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 4:30pm
Thursday 9am - 4:30pm
Friday 9am - 4:30pm

Telephone

+61393098531

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Banksia Gardens Community Services posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Banksia Gardens Community Services:

Shortcuts

Share