The Maroondah Exchange

This Week Around Maroondah | Tuesday 11 August 2026

Preview: Vote in one click, then explore this week's local highlights, practical updates and free events.

Good morning, afternoon or evening,

This week brings a practical mix of local events, useful community information and a few things worth planning ahead. Here is the clearest way into the week around Maroondah.

Trying to plan a local meal without scrolling through old posts? MX Local Value gathers current food offers by day, starting with eight listings from Carlos Cantina and Taco Bill Croydon. Each venue controls its offer and conditions, while MX records when the details were checked so outdated deals do not quietly linger. Know someone who is always choosing where to eat? Send them the guide, then tell us which Maroondah venue should be invited next.

Explore MX Local Value

Looking for something free to do this August? The MX Free Events Guide brings more than 200 local dates and sessions into one place, covering family activities, community events, creative workshops, learning and wellbeing options across Maroondah and nearby suburbs. It is a practical starting point for families, friends and neighbours planning an affordable day out. Use the direct organiser links in the guide to confirm current details before attending.

Get the free August events guide

This matters if you—or someone you regularly travel with—joins the Eastern Freeway from Doncaster Road. The ramp is planned to remain closed until mid-October, and the detour changes depending on which direction you approach from. Check the official map before the trip rather than discovering the closure at the ramp.

Find the correct detour for your approach

Holy Spirit Community Fete has the stalls planned; what it still needs is people willing to lead or lend a hand. No experience is required, and help can be as little as one hour on Saturday 10 October. If a parent, grandparent, former student or community-minded friend comes to mind, potential stall leaders are asked to respond by Sunday 23 August because some stalls may otherwise need to close.

Choose how you could help with the fete

Maroondah Council is looking for volunteer drivers to deliver meals in their own cars and offer clients a friendly check-in. Volunteers choose a weekday and work from 10.30am to 12.30pm; a Working With Children Check and child-safety training are required.

Check the Meals on Wheels volunteer role

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Tuesday 11th August, 18:15
Yarrunga Community Centre, Croydon Hills
$87 concession | $102 fee

Strengthen your core, improve posture and boost mobility through targeted, low-impact exercises designed to improve real-life movement.

Check availability and booking for Functional Pilates

Wednesday 12th August, 11:15
Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood
Free

Our tech expert is here to guide you through a variety of tasks, ensuring you're well-equipped to navigate the digital world with ease.

Check availability and booking for Tech Help Hub T3 2026

Wednesday 12th August, 16:00
Wonga Park Community Cottage, Wonga Park
Free

Do you have a loved one who's no longer with us?

Check availability and booking for Love & Loss Gathering | Wed 12th Aug| 4pm-6pm

Wednesday 12th August, 18:30
3D Arts Studio, Croydon
$20

You can dance with us.

Check availability and booking for 3d Arts Casual Open Classes

Thursday 13th August, 12:30
Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood
$0 - 126

Creative class for beginner and experienced crocheters.

Check availability and booking for Crochet Thursdays T3 2026

Friday 14th August, 18:00
Maroondah Nets, Heathmont
$10 / $20

We will be having our ARAP (Annual Reports and Presentations).

Check availability and booking for 3rd Heathmont Scout Group Family Trivia Night

Saturday 15th August, 09:30
Parkwood Reserve, Ringwood North
Free

A chance to join a working bee at the beautiful Parkwood Reserve in Ringwood North.

See event details for Friends of Parkwood Working Bee

Saturday 15th August, 10:30
Croydon Library, Croydon
Free

Drop in and join us for a fun playtime session for ages 0-6 years at Croydon Library.

See when and where to attend Come And Play At Croydon Library For Ages 0 - 6 Years

Saturday 15th August, 19:30
The Barn Live, Bayswater
$30

Back to the 70s and 80s Tribute Show entertains the crowd with the greatest 70s and 80s songs ever.

Check availability and booking for Back to the 70's & 80's

Sunday 16th August, 10:00
Walhalla Reserve, Ringwood East
Free

A community event to enhance and regenerate our local bushland.

See event details for Walhalla Reserve Bushland Planting Morning

Sunday 16th August, 13:00
Ringwood Bowls Club, Ringwood
$15.00 per person U16 admitted free

Jazz on Sundays is a afternoon with musicians performing live music. Fun, friendly and accessible.

Check current prices and details for Jazz on Sundays at The Ringwood Bowls Club

Sunday 16th August, 16:00
Essential Healing Centre, Ringwood North
$55

We are in the heart-centred energy of Leo, and will come together in a small sacred circle to rejuvenate, recalibrate, rest and create space for greater…

Check availability and booking for August Lightworker Circle in the EE System

Sunday 16th August, 19:00
State Pickleball Centre, Bayswater
Free

Sunday night is game night - Pickleball Style.

Check availability and booking for LinkUp Womens Sessions - Pickleball

Monday 17th August, 09:30
Bayswater Library, Bayswater
Free

Is English your second language?

See when and where to attend English Conversation at Bayswater Library

Monday 17th August, 10:00
Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood
$0 - 70

Creative class for beginner and experienced crocheters.

Check availability and booking for Crochet Mondays T3 2026 - Fortnightly

Browse the complete What's On guide

Browse the full MX What's On guide

Two official tools can make the first check easier: Services Australia's Payment Finder estimates selected Centrelink and family payments, while Victoria's calculator lists concessions by card type. The results are a guide rather than an approval, but they may help you or someone you know identify what is worth investigating.

Start with the official eligibility tools

Maroondah's adopted 2026/27 budget sets an average general rate increase of 2.75%, although the change for an individual property can vary. Would service costs, project progress, comparisons with other councils or clearer household examples make it easier for you to assess value?

See the adopted 2026/27 budget

The 2026 Maroondah Youth Awards recognise local people aged 10 to 25 for leadership, creativity, perseverance or teamwork, with every nominee acknowledged. If someone comes to mind, nominations close Sunday 30 August.

Check the categories and make a nomination

MX's approved July snapshot counted 10 active primary-category bakeries in Croydon and seven in Ringwood, including five at Eastland. It is a snapshot rather than a contest, but it gives local bakery followers a useful place to begin exploring what is nearby.

Explore the Maroondah bakery guide

A new sushi shop is operating beside Bakers Delight at Ringwood North Shopping Centre, separate from the Sushi&Co counter inside IGA. Its business name has not yet been confirmed, but locals looking for a quick lunch now have another option to try.

Find Ringwood North Shopping Centre

Put 431 local food businesses on a map and Ringwood and Croydon dominate the pins: together they hold 51% of the approved records. But the smaller suburbs reveal how people actually use local food. Kilsyth looks like bread-and-takeaway country, Vermont connects pizza nights with celebration food, Wonga Park's five records are all different, and Croydon Hills shows us where the map most needs local help. These 15 suburb personalities are conversation starters, not official titles. What is your area really known for?

See what the local food map shows

Batteries should never go in a household bin, where they can start fires in collection trucks and waste facilities. Tape the terminals of loose batteries, keep them cool and dry away from children and pets, then check which types are accepted at Realm, Croydon Customer Service or another B-cycle collection point before travelling.

Check Council's battery disposal advice

Applications are open for performers, vendors, stallholders, community groups, local businesses and sponsors to take part in this year's festival. Applications close at 5pm on Monday 31 August; the festival itself will be held in Croydon on Sunday 8 November.

Choose a festival participation option

What would make a local food guide most useful to you?

If this was useful, forward it to someone in Maroondah who might like it too. The more locals who read MX, the easier it becomes to surface good events, useful updates and small community stories.

Running a local event, workshop, performance, community activity or open day? Add it to The Maroondah Exchange so more people can find it.

Add your event

Thanks for reading,
The Maroondah Exchange