Rowville Lysterfield Community News

08/04/2025

✏️Register now for kindergarten in 2026! ✏️

The kindergarten central registration scheme has been expanded to include kindergarten programs that have not previously participated.

Registrations for 3 and 4-year-old kindergarten places in 2026 are now open.

Registrations must be received by 15 July to be included in the first round of allocations, with offers provided in August. Registrations continue all year round.

Participating kindergarten programs receive funding directly from the Victorian Government, so families are not out of pocket (and don’t have to claim the savings back).

Click to register for places at participating kindergartens:
https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-services/children-family-and-community-services/children-and-families/kindergarten/2024-kindergarten-groups-and-sessions

Photo Credit: Natalie Bond on Pexels

07/04/2025

❗️Calling all nature lovers❗️

🦆🌿Help Knox compete with cities around the world to capture and upload photos of local wild life plants and animals in the 2025 City Nature Challenge from 25th April to 28th April. 🦆🌿

The City Nature Challenge is an annual global event that celebrates local wildlife and flora through citizen science.

During the 4-day challenge snap a photo or record the sound of any wild plant or animal and upload it to the iNaturalist app. Make sure to include the location details too. At the end of the Challenge, the city with the most observations wins.

Click here to learn more about participating: https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/whats-happening/news/2025-city-nature-challenge

Knox will also be holding events to help increase your chances of capturing some unique discoveries.

This includes:

- Moth lighting and spider discovery 🕷
- Nature Discovery Walk 🌿
- Fungi Exploration🍄

Click here for more information on the events: https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/whats-happening/news/2025-city-nature-challenge

Photo credit: Patrick Hendry on Unsplash

05/04/2025

Welcome to April. This week's park run held lots of achievements. Well done runners!

01/04/2025

Do you know someone who has given back to the community?🤔

Nominate them for the Knox Community Awards by Monday, 7th April!🏆

Many Volunteer groups and organisations dedicate their time to helping those in need or supporting important causes in our community. 💞

There are four award categories:

- Knox Volunteer of the Year
- Knox Community Organisation of the Year
- Outstanding Volunteer Service
- Recognition of Years of Service.

For more information: https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-council/citizenship-and-awards/knox-community-awards

Photo Credit: Wan San Yip on Unsplash

31/03/2025

Are you aged between 10-25 looking for something to do this upcoming school holiday?

The Knox Youth Services Team will be running free events for young people who live, work, study or have a connection to Knox!

The activities will run at The Knox Youth Hive located within the Knox Library at Westfield Knox and the Victorian Racquet Club. Bookings are essential!

Activities include:

🧪Mad About Science – Forensic Detective Workshop (10 to 13 years)
Monday 7 April, 10am – 11am

🍫Chocolate Making (12 to 25 years)
Tuesday 15 April, 10am-12noon AND 2pm – 4pm

🎲Games afternoon (10 to 25 years)
Wednesday 16 April, 2pm-4pm

🎾Pickleball Fun @ Victorian Racquet Club, Carrington Park (14 to 17 years)
Thursday 10 April, 1pm – 3pm

For more information check out: https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/whats-happening/news/school-holiday-activities-young-people-0

OR contact the Youth Services Team on 9298 8000 or email [email protected]

Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio on Pexels

29/03/2025

The last Park run for March 2025. Welcome back to Jells Park 5k run.

25/03/2025

Witness vibrant performances at Knox Community Arts Centre (KNAC) performing arts festival StageScape!

The festival will be running from Friday 4th April to Saturday 12th April!

KNAC celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and what better way to celebrate than a festival showcasing performers, community groups and audiences coming together to enjoy homegrown local talent.

StageScape's program includes:

Night 1: Music Showcase
Night 2: Comedy and Cabaret
Night 3: Dance Schools Showcase
Night 4: Theatre Night
Night 5: Variety Gala Night

Bookings are essential!

For more information about the festival click the link below:

https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/whats-happening/news/stagescape-community-performing-arts-festival

📆4th-12th April
📌Knox Community Arts Centre, 790 Mountain Highway (cnr Scoresby Road) Bayswater

Photo Credit: Vadim Fomenok on Unsplash

24/03/2025

❗️Calling all pet owners and animal lovers! ❗️

Spend the day with your family, friends and furry pals at Pets in the Park at Knox Park, Knoxfield on April 6th!🐶🐱

There's a full program scheduled for the day including activities like pet photo booths and stage entertainment to name a few. 📸

Check out the stalls featuring grooming, toys, pet care and gourmet pet food!🧸

And if you're feeling peckish you can try a variety of food and treats from the food trucks!🍔

You can also enter your pet in the Best Dressed Pet Parade and Best Trick Competition!💃

Best trick competition at 11:15am
Best dressed parade at 2:15pm

Click here for more info and details about the pet competition. https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/whats-happening/pets-park-2025

Look forward to seeing you all there!

📆 Sunday, April 6th
⏰10 am - 4 pm
📌Knox Park, Corner Bunjil Way and Ferntree Gully Road, Knoxfield

Photo credit: Elina Volkova on Pexels

22/03/2025

This Saturday's runners brushed off and showed off their finest tutus in all their glorious colours. Great to see everyone out there this morning. Special thanks to the volunteers.

19/03/2025

📢 Join Our Committee – We’re Looking for a Volunteer! 📢

The Rowville Lysterfield Community News is looking for a new volunteer committee member to join our fantastic team! We need someone with either a social media/communications background or IT expertise to help us continue delivering one of Australia’s oldest community newspapers.

✨ What You’ll Do:
✅ Contribute to our social media presence 📱
✅ Support and guide a small team of volunteers
✅ Help improve our IT systems and document management
✅ Be part of a dedicated team keeping local news alive

💡 This is a voluntary role, and we currently have a great committee that meets once a month at the local community centre. If you work in communications or tech, that’s a plus! However, if you’re community-minded, love local news, and are willing to learn, we’d love to hear from you.

We welcome both experienced committee members and younger applicants—I’m happy to mentor someone keen to gain valuable board experience.

If you love our community and want to help keep local news thriving, send me a message!

Cheers,
Rosemary Hermans
President, Rowville Lysterfield Community News

18/03/2025

🛑 Crime Stoppers Update 🛑
Stay informed and help keep Rowville and Lysterfield safe! Crime Stoppers Victoria has released the latest updates on community safety and how you can contribute.

If you have any information about criminal activity or suspicious behavior in our area, remember that reporting it is easy, confidential, and can make a real difference. Here’s how you can help: 📞 Call 1800 333 000 to report anonymously
🌐 Visit crimestoppersvic.com.au for tips and more ways to keep our community safe.

Working together, we can make Rowville and Lysterfield safer for everyone. Please share this post to spread the word! 💙

Photo Credit: Kat Wilcox on Pexels

18/03/2025

📢 Calling All Victorian Justices of the Peace (JP)!

Are you a qualified JP in the Outer Eastern area? The Outer Eastern Honorary Justices’ Association (OEHJ) Inc. is seeking volunteers to join their document signing services, which provide essential support to the local community by witnessing signatures and certifying documents.

Unfortunately, due to fewer volunteers, some services have been suspended. If you're available to help from January 2025, your contribution could help restore these important services. 🙌

📅 Join the Annual General Meeting on 1st October or 12th November to meet fellow JP's

📧 Contact: Antony Pisa - 0400 539 146 or email: [email protected] to discuss volunteering opportunity and for further information.

📖 Read the full article in this month’s Community News edition:
https://rlcnews.com.au/wanted-justice-of-the-peace-jp/

18/03/2025

17/03/2025

🚴‍🙋Know anyone who wants to learn how to ride a bike?🚴‍🙋

Knox City Council is happy to announce the return of its annual bike education courses as part of the Cycling Action Plan funded by the Department of Transport (DTP).

These courses are about promoting active transport and helping residents of all ages gain confidence and skills in cycling.

Courses will be running from April 5th to 6th and include:

All Ages New Rider Course (Age 9+)
- For new riders who want to start from scratch
- Covers basic skills like braking and basic bike maintenance
What to bring: Bike (if you have one), helmet, and a water bottle. (Bikes will be available if you don't have one)

All Ages Bike Beginner Course (Age 9+)
- For beginner bike riders who know how to ride and want to learn how to ride confidently and safely on shared paths and roads
What to bring: Bike, helmet, and a water bottle.

Adult Intermediate Course (Age 18+)
- For adult bike riders who are not confident on busy roads and crossing traffic lights
- Learn new skills like hook turns and navigating roundabouts
What to bring: Bike, helmet, and a drink bottle.

Family Bike Beginner Course
- For family bike riders who enjoy riding together
- Participants will be riding as group along Blind Creek Trail or around Lewis Park
What to bring: Bike, helmet, and a water bottle.

For registration and more information: https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/whats-happening/news/join-our-bike-education-courses

Photo Credit: Pavel Danilyuk on Pexels

15/03/2025

Hi, everyone. 🙂 Here are the results of this week's 5k park runs. Thanks to all the volunteers who made this happen. Well done, runners! Keep smashing those milestones. 🏃

10/03/2025

✨ Free Weekly Crochet Club for Young People 🧶

A free weekly Crochet Club is starting next month at Knox Youth Hive (Knox Library). This is a great opportunity for young people to learn a new skill, meet new friends, and build confidence in a relaxed and supportive environment.

- When: Mondays, 3:30pm – 5pm, from 17th March – 26th May 2025 (excluding Easter Monday)
- Where: Knox Youth Hive, Level 3, Knox Library (Ngarrgoo), 425 Burwood Hwy, Wantirna South
- Who: Young people aged 12-25 who live, work, or study in Knox

No prior experience is needed, and all materials will be provided. Volunteers from the library’s adult crochet group will be there to guide participants.

Parents and guardians – this is a fantastic opportunity for young people to develop creativity, patience, and fine motor skills while socialising in a safe and welcoming space. Participants are encouraged to attend all sessions to get the most out of the program.

Register now or find out more: Contact Knox Youth Services at 9298 8000 or email [email protected]

Photo credit: Castorly Stock on Pexels

08/03/2025

Happy International Women's Day💜. Jells Park is still undergoing maintenance. Dandenong is short on timekeepers, but I'm glad to see everything go ahead. Great to see all the runners out there giving it a go and achieving personal bests. Thanks to all volunteers.