Want to grow your own delicious veggies? The Shire of Kalamunda is hosting a Great Food Garden Workshop on Wednesday the 5th of November from 6.30pm - 9.30pm at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, Canning Road in Kalamunda. These FREE series of workshops are designed to be informative, fun and show participants how to grow delicious fruit and vegetables in a water wise and fertiliser wise way. Learn many of the secrets, dispel many of the urban myths, discover how to grow some native bush tucker plants.

Whether you have a big garden or a courtyard you can still grow food at home. How about integrating food plants into your landscaping? Come along, meet the team from Great Gardens and get all the tips you need to start growing your own fresh produce. Register at www.greatgardens.info or phone 1300 369 833.

On the 27th October, students from Armadale Primary School joined the team from Dieback Treatment Services at Hartfield Park in the Shire of Kalamunda, to help save our natural bushland from the negative effects of dieback.

Phytophthora cinnamomi, phytophthora dieback, or simply just 'dieback', is a microscopic, soil-borne water-mould that is having a devastating effect on our local environment. Dieback attacks native species, horticultural crops, and garden plants and is threatening to drive rare plant species and the fauna dependant on them to extinction.

Students, parents and teachers from the school all assisted members of Dieback Treatment Services and the Shire of Kalamunda's Environmental Services team with the injection of Phosphite into trees at Hartfield Park. Phosphite is a biodegradable fungus that helps fight the devastation of dieback by boosting the natural defence systems of native plant species. If you would like more information on how your school or community group can help stop dieback in its tracks, check out the Dieback Working Group website: www.dwg.org.au.

The Air Asia International Youth Tournament is being held from Friday 7 November to Sunday 9 November, 2008 at the Forrestfield United Soccer Club, Hartfield Park, corner Hale Road and Morrison Road in Forrestfield.

The Air Asia Youth Tournament is an international event with teams from Royal Selangor Club (Malaysia), Forrestfield United Soccer Club, Stirling Lions Soccer Club and Swan District Soccer Club all competing.

Kick off at 5.30pm on Friday, 9am on Saturday and Sunday. Hope to see you there!

Are you a parent of a student who is in year 12 this year? Are you a young member of the community who is planning to go away during Leavers week? Then Listen Up cause the following information could change your life!

The Shire of Kalamunda, in partnership with DrugARM WA, is talking to local high school students and their parents to provide vital information about the event.

FREE seminars will be held at the will be held at Darling Range Sports College on Monday, 10 November 2008 at 7.00pm and Jack Healey Centre Meeting Room on Tuesday 11 November 2008 at 7.00pm.

Executive Manager of Community Services Kevin O'Connor said, "The seminar will provide a realistic overview of Leavers and is a great opportunity for parents and their children to prepare for Leavers together, whilst also providing helpful tips and hints for students on leavers to have fun and stay safe."

Bookings are essential. Please contact the Shire of Kalamunda Youth Development Officer, Bonnie Dixon on 9257 9968 or email bonnie.dixon@kalamunda.wa.gov.au to register and to find out more about this extremely enlightening seminar Be proactive and make sure you are informed prior to Leavers Week, and ensure it is a fun enjoyable time for all!

The Shire of Kalamunda has presented a cheque of $21,450, to the Churches Commission on Education towards the provision of the Chaplaincy programme running within the Shire.

Shire President Donald McKechnie said, "We acknowledge the importance of the programme in assisting with the promotion of the health and well being of students within our schools and are committed to ensuring the continuation of this valuable service. I would like to congratulate Foothills Youth Care and Kalamunda and Districts Youth Care on their sound provision of this service, which is no doubt a huge benefit to students within our community."

Chaplains are vital support service in schools, for schools as a whole and individuals in need.

Shire President Donald McKechnie, Glynis Turpin, Daniel Smith, Karen Siggins, Desi Melling, Stuart Jackson and David Currey

Local residents of the Shire of Kalamunda have a unique opportunity to proactively create a sustainable community. The Shire invites residents to participate in a free multi-week Living Smart and Creating Sustainable Communities course starting starting this month. Living Smart courses provide participants with the practical knowledge and skills to take action to reduce your ecological footprint and enjoy more sustainable lives in your home and community.

The course is packed with handy hints on saving water, gas & energy, transport & waste management, safe use of household chemicals, indoor air quality, biodiversity & healthier & happier lifestyles. After successfully facilitating Living Smart: Darlington, Gary Warden, in partnership with the Shire of Kalamunda, will present only the second course of this type in the Eastern Hills District, Living Smart: Kalamunda.

The course will run over six weeks on Tuesday evenings commencing on November the 11th. Each session runs from 7pm to 9pm at the Town Square Hall in Barber Street, Kalamunda. Lights snacks and refreshments will be provided. If you are interested in attending the Living Smart course you can register with the Shire of Kalamunda on 9257 9936 or by email to giles.glasson@kalamunda.wa.gov.au . Places are limited so get in quick! A Living Smart lifestyle will improve your quality of life, reduce your ecological impact on the environment and provide you with the opportunity to meet like-minded people, don't wait register today

Local community member Jean Turner has been officially thanked for her organisation of the Seniors Week Fashion Parade, at the Bankwest Seniors Lifestyle Expo at Hartfield Park in Forrestfield.

Shire President Donald McKechnie said, "Seniors Week is celebrated across Western Australia to recognise and thank Seniors for their contribution to the community by promoting positive attitudes to ageing and older people. The Shire of Kalamunda provides celebratory and informative activities and events for older people to share and enjoy. Jean has organised the fashion parade for the Bankwest Seniors Lifestyle Expo for many years. Her dedication and hard work has not gone unnoticed."

Jean was presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for her valuable contribution to the Shire of Kalamunda's Seniors Week celebration on behalf of the Shire of Kalamunda and the Seniors Week Working Party.

The Seniors Lifestyle Expo was only one of the many events organised by the Shire of Kalamunda during the week. Seniors also had the pleasure of attending a Variety Concert at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre, day trips to the movies, fish and chips, luncheons and a dinner dance at the Woodlupine Community Centre in Forrestfield.

Shire President Donald McKechnie and Jean Turner

Over the past twenty five years, since Possum Magic was first published in 1983, Mem Fox has become Australia's most highly regarded and loved picture-book author. On Friday, November 7, The Shire of Kalamunda Public Library Service will host an afternoon with Mem at the Kalamunda Performing Arts Centre from 1pm to 2.30pm. This is a free event open to the general public and those who work in early childhood. Bookings are essential, please phone the Shire of Kalamunda on 9257 9969.p>