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The Maroondah Exchange

This Week Around Maroondah | Tuesday 18 August 2026

Preview: Local highlights, day-by-day plans, free picks and one useful guide.

Good morning, afternoon or evening,

Lean but publishable safety issue. This issue brings together the strongest currently verified local material for the week.

If one person immediately comes to mind—the neighbour, coach, committee member or quiet helper who keeps turning up—this is your opportunity to make sure their contribution is seen. The Bill Wilkins Volunteer Award is open to people who volunteer in Maroondah, even if they live elsewhere, and nominations close Sunday 4 October.

Check the criteria and nominate a local volunteer

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

Council's free 24-page My Story, My Wishes booklet provides prompts for recording personal history, practical details and wishes to share with someone close to you. It is not a will, advance care directive or substitute for legal or medical documents, but it may help begin a useful family conversation.

Download My Story, My Wishes

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

Tuesday 18th August, 14:30
Yarrunga Community Centre, Croydon Hills
Free

A fun, engaging talk on using common kitchen ingredients for cleaning and beauty products.

See when and where to attend Scraps to Self-Care discussion

Tuesday 18th August, 19:00
Karralyka, Ringwood East
$45 | Full Price

Wonderland the Musical is a vibrant, family-friendly adventure that follows Alice as she tumbles from an ordinary dinner party into the extraordinary world of Wonderland.

Check availability and booking for Bayswater South Primary School - Wonderland The Musical

Wednesday 19th 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 19th August, 12:30
Online, Online
Free

A free, expert-led eSafety Commissioner webinar for parents and carers about how cyberbullying is changing, including AI-enabled tactics, coded language and less visible manipulation.

Check availability and booking for The changing face of cyberbullying: protecting your child in 2026

Wednesday 19th August, 18:30
3D Arts Studio, Croydon
$20

You can dance with us. Wednesday evening, 6:30 - 8:00pm open dance class in a variety of styles. Book for one class or book for them ALL. All levels of experience welcome. Week 1 & 3 - ContemporaryWeek 2 - Musical TheatreWeek 4 - Changes each month - check the description for more details.

Check availability and booking for 3d Arts Casual Open Classes

Thursday 20th August, 12:30
Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood
$0 - 126

Creative class for beginner and experienced crocheters. Learn how to crochet basic stitches, increase/decrease, decipher symbols and follow patterns. You can create many interesting items such as cushion covers, scarves, bags, hats and even “art to wear” garments.

Check availability and booking for Crochet Thursdays T3 2026

Thursday 20th August, 16:00
Realm Library, Ringwood
Free

Need help with your high school homework?

See when and where to attend Secondary Students Homework Club

Friday 21st August, 17:00
Croydon Primary School, Croydon
$10 per family

St John's Kindergarten - Disco Party You're invited to a Disco Party - bring your dancing shoes.

Check availability and booking for St John's Kinder Disco - 2026

Friday 21st August, 17:30
Rangeview Primary School Hall, Mitcham
$7

Student Disco: Junior Disco : Foundation to Grade 2 - 5:30pm to 6:30pm Senior Disco : Grade 3 to Grade 6 - 7pm to 8pm Friday 21st August 2026.

Check availability and booking for Student Disco 2026

Saturday 22nd August, 10:00
The Coach, Ringwood
Free

Ringwood Saturday Carers Cuppa welcomes all carers. Whether you’re a familiar face at Different Journeys events or joining us for the first time, we look forward to seeing you at The Coach. Meet other carers and talk to our carer peer support team who all have lived experience.

Check availability and booking for Ringwood Carers Cuppa

Saturday 22nd 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. Have fun playing with your little one and meeting other families. Through play children learn about the world, build language skills and develop their imagination and creativity.

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

Saturday 22nd August, 20:00
Ringwood Bowls Club, Ringwood
$35 / $52

The Rusty Nails are a four-piece, multi-genre cover band that deliver an energetic and crowd-pleasing performance every time.

Check availability and booking for The Rusty Nails - Ringwood Bowls Club - August 2026

Sunday 23rd August, 14:30
Melbourne Rudolf Steiner School, Warranwood
$20 | $10 | $50

You are warmly invited to a delightful afternoon of strings and piano music featuring works by Haydn, Mozart, Vivaldi and Dvorak. Light refreshment will be provided after the concert.

Check availability and booking for Strings and Piano Recital

Monday 24th August, 10:00
Maroondah Federation Estate, Ringwood
Free

A peer support group for people living with Parkinson's.

See when and where to attend Fight Parkinson's Ringwood Peer Support Group

Browse the complete What's On guide

Browse the full MX What's On guide

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

Maroondah's adopted 2026/27 budget allocates $3.13 million to parks and open space. When you think about the park you use—or avoid—would trees, seating, toilets, lighting, paths, play equipment or something else make the greatest practical difference?

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

Each offers counselling for adults aged 18 to 65 across Ringwood, Croydon, Ringwood East and other eastern suburbs, with appointments available in person, online or by phone. Fees and eligibility vary, so call the service to ask what may be available and what it would cost before relying on it as an option.

Check counselling access, eligibility and costs

The free Maroondah Seniors Register offers older residents a fortnightly or monthly call from a volunteer for social connection and a safe-and-well check. It is not an emergency or medical monitoring service, but it may suit someone who would value a regular local check-in.

Find out about joining the Seniors Register

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

Which local guide would be most useful to you next?

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