Events

The walk this month will be another sneak peek of lesser known museums and galleries in & around the CBD. This is only intending to be a brief visit to each location – just a taster for those you might like to revisit at a later date. Meet at 9:00 at Southern Cross Station. See the attached photo showing the meeting point on the UPPER LEVEL. (Enter the station from Spencer St and go up two escalators or enter directly from Collins St opposite tram stop D14.) Total distance of about 5 km with generally easy gradients before finding a coffee shop. Guests welcome. Hope to have your company. Richard Bonnett 0417 19 15 16

You are invited to join us for the first Bearbrass Sunday lunch of the year at The Leveson Hotel in North Melbourne. We have a booking for 20 people. 

Meals - ordered and paid for individually at the time you order.

Drinks - purchased individually at the bar, as usual.

Transport - It is easiest to get to The Leveson by public transport.

Take a #57 tram up Elizabeth Street, alight at the North Melbourne Town Hall (stop 12) and then take a very easy 4 minute walk down Queensberry Street to Leveson Street.

OR

There is quite a lot of parking in the surrounding streets,

Accessibility - The area of the pub in which we will be dining can be accessed by a laneway at the rear of the pub. There are toilets in the same floor. Wheelchair access is possible but a little awkward.

RSVP timeline - Registrations close at noon on Wednesday 14^th January OR when 20 members have registered.

Action for you - Please respond to this email by clicking on the link below and then either decline or accept. Remember also to click save. If you don’t receive an acknowledgement email almost immediately, you haven’t registered successfully.

The booking is strictly limited to 20 people. If you are interested, register promptly!

Final note It won’t be possible to accommodate as part of the Bearbrass booking anyone who elects not to register but just walks up on the day.

Bearbrass Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month in the meeting room at Concavo-Convesso Apartments, Docklands 3008.  Members usually have a morning coffee at Saluministi Cafe, ground floor Concavo-Convesso Apartments, before officially beginning the meeting at 11:30am.  There is always the option to stay on for lunch following the meeting.  Each month, the discussion is led by a club member, with books and leaders planned ahead for the year.  New members are warmly welcomed! 

The book on our list for January 19 is "A Cold Day for Murder" by Dana Stabenow, and the discussion leader is Neil, with additional notes from Spike.  Thanks to Neil for stepping up in place of Spike who is working on that day! 

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Join us for a guided tour of the Seaworks Maritime Museum with its impressive collection of artefacts, models and bells to showcase the stories of maritime history of Melbourne. A visit Melbourne’s original morgue, next door to Seaworks, is also possible.

The wine aficionados of Bearbrass Probus Club gather on the last Friday of the month to sample a collection of wines we may not have tried before. Apart from having as much fun as possible, the aim of each session is to taste a range of wines which we might not have considered buying previously.

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Join your Bearbrass friends for a Grand Day Out. The day begins with a leisurely cruise across Port Phillip Bay from Docklands aboard a modern fast ferry, arriving at the charming seaside town of Portarlington. A 6 minute walk from the dock and we are at the Grand Hotel where we will enjoy a pub lunch and drink. After lunch there is time to have a wander through the shopping streets of Portarlington before presenting punctually at the dock by 3:40pm to catch the ferry back to Docklands.

The venue for the monthly general meeting is the Community Hub at the Dock which  is  located next to the Library at The Dock and Buluk Park, on the extension of Collins Street in Docklands (in the direction of North Wharf Road towards the Bolte Bridge).

We will be meeting in the large multipurpose room on the first floor.  Go up the stairs or in the lift and walk down the hall towards the back of the building.

Join Bearbrass friends for a long Sunday lunch at one of Melbourne’s fabulous pubs!

Bearbrass Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month in the meeting room at Concavo-Convesso Apartments, Docklands 3008.  Members usually have a morning coffee at Saluministi Cafe, ground floor Concavo-Convesso Apartments, before officially beginning the meeting at 11:30am.  There is always the option to stay on for lunch following the meeting.  Each month, the discussion is led by a club member, with books and leaders planned ahead for the year.  New members are warmly welcomed! 

The book on our list for February 16 is "Wild Dark Shore" by Charlotte McConaghy and the discussion leader is Kerry 

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Join Bearbrass friends for a movie followed by dinner and lively discussion.

Generally at either the Kino (Collins Street) or the Nova (Lygon St Carlton), the details of movie and cinema are advertised a week prior.

This group meets on the 3^rd Friday of the month to walk around various landmarks close to the city. Walks are generally around 5k and certainly no further than 8k with big hills avoided. A suitable stop for coffee is normally part of the walk.  It is a good opportunity to get some exercise and have a chat at the same time. The actual destination will be advised with the invitation or earlier if available.

Beloved entertainer and broadcaster Denis Walter brings his rich baritone to My All Time Favourites, a warm and witty show with musical reflections on his extraordinary 55-year career in media and entertainment. Denis has become one of Australia’s most recognisable and loved voices. Expect a rich mix of popular ballads, golden-era crooning, country gems, classical favourites and plenty of laughs along the way with stories spanning stage, screen and the airwaves.

The wine aficionados of Bearbrass Probus Club gather on the last Friday of the month to sample a collection of wines we may not have tried before.

Apart from having as much fun as possible, the aim of each session is to taste a range of wines which we might not have considered buying previously - for whatever reason.

After the tidy up, tasters may choose to go on for a cheap and cheerful dinner at a venue nearby, to be advised.

Cost for the tasting is $25 per head and the group size is capped at 12.

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

The Newport Workshops Open Days are located over two sites. Included with the ticket is entry to both the Workshops and the Newport Railway Museum.

Visit the 140 year old F176 or Victoria's largest locomotive, the famous Heavy Harry. Also open for viewing will be the heritage North Williamstown signal box, railway models and various suburban rail carriages dating from the 1888 'Swing Door' to the 1980 'Hitachi' and 1983 'Grey Ghost' carriages.

The venue for the annual general meeting is the Community Hub at the Dock which  is  located next to the Library at The Dock and Buluk Park, on the extension of Collins Street in Docklands (in the direction of North Wharf Road towards the Bolte Bridge).

We will be meeting in the large multipurpose room on the first floor.  Go up the stairs or in the lift and walk down the hall towards the back of the building.

Beleura offers something for everyone interested in history, art, gardens and music. A heritage house museum with five hectares of gardens located in Mornington, it is classified of State significance on the Victorian Heritage register for its architectural and cultural merit.

Beleura is exceptional not only for its fine architecture and gardens but for the intimate and personal life it reveals of its last owner, the gentleman and composer, John Tallis.

Visitors will discover a personal story amidst the many household items, artefacts and collection of a life lived in residence at Beleura over 48 years. Now it has been left to future generations to enjoy.

Join Bearbrass friends for a long Sunday lunch at one of Melbourne’s fabulous pubs!

• Monday – travel to start point in the morning. Short walk in the afternoon 
• Tues/Wed/Thurs/Fri and come home
• Saturday 21^st travel back to Melbourne

Gauging Interest in Multi day hike along the Surf Coast

Planning is underway for a five day hike along the Surf Coast from Torquay to Fairhaven. Although planning for this is in the early stages it is anticipated accommodation will be required in Torquay, Aireys Inlet, and Anglesea.

• be fit and able to walk at least 17kms per day at a reasonable pace on undulating paths with some short, steep sections
• organise their own accommodation and transport.

• decline If you are not interested at all, or will not be able to attend
• accept if you are interested in doing the hike and would like to know more

Further information and details regarding the itinerary and logistics will be provided once the number of possible participants is known.

Bearbrass Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month in the meeting room at Concavo-Convesso Apartments, Docklands 3008.  Members usually have a morning coffee at Saluministi Cafe, ground floor Concavo-Convesso Apartments, before officially beginning the meeting at 11:30am.  There is always the option to stay on for lunch following the meeting.  Each month, the discussion is led by a club member, with books and leaders planned ahead for the year.  New members are warmly welcomed! 

The book on our list for March 16 is "All the Broken Pieces" by John Boyne and the discussion leader is Colleen 

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Join Bearbrass friends for a movie followed by dinner and lively discussion.

Generally at either the Kino (Collins Street) or the Nova (Lygon St Carlton), the details of movie and cinema are advertised a week prior.

This group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month to walk around various landmarks close to the city. Walks are generally around 5k and certainly no further than 8k with big hills avoided. A suitable stop for coffee is normally part of the walk. It is a good opportunity to get some exercise and have a chat at the same time. The actual destination will be advised with the invitation or earlier if available.

Internationally renowned soprano and celebrated star of The Phantom of the Opera, Claire Lyon brings the magic of Broadway to Hamer Hall. Claire will perform musical theatre classics including ‘Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again’ (The Phantom of the Opera), ‘Climb Every Mountain’ (The Sound of Music), ‘Memory’ (Cats), ‘I Feel Pretty’ (West Side Story) and many more unforgettable favourites.

The wine aficionados of Bearbrass Probus Club gather on the last Friday of the month to sample a collection of wines we may not have tried before.

Apart from having as much fun as possible, the aim of each session is to taste a range of wines which we might not have considered buying previously - for whatever reason.

After the tidy up, tasters may choose to go on for a cheap and cheerful dinner at a venue nearby, to be advised.

Cost for the tasting is $25 per head and the group size is capped at 12.

The New York Times calls it "the best musical of this century." The Washington Post says, "It is the kind of evening that restores your faith in musicals." And Entertainment Weekly says, "Grade A: the funniest musical of all time." It's THE BOOK OF MORMON, the nine-time Tony Award®-winning Best Musical.

This outrageous musical comedy follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent on a mission to a place that's about as far from Salt Lake City as you can get.  

The cost of tickets is $90. Please pay to Bearbrass Bank account. 

BSB 633 000

Account 174 771 725

Please write your name and then Mormon in the reference. Eg Hanan, Mormon.

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Kitty Flanagan is coming to Melbourne with her new stand-up show. Asking but not necessarily answering all the big questions. Were we smarter before social media? Has your call ever been used for training purposes? And what exactly is an empath?

This is your chance to see the award-winning star of Fisk, Utopia and Have You Been Paying Attention? doing what she does best, stand-up comedy, live on stage at a theatre near you – like, actually near you, possibly just down the road depending on where you live. Don’t miss it!

Cost is $67.00. Guests are welcome. 

Please pay to Bearbrass Probus account by Friday January 9th, 

BSB 633 000

Account; 174 771 725  Please state your name and then "Kitty : in the reference. 

Join Bearbrass friends for a movie followed by dinner and lively discussion.

Generally at either the Kino (Collins Street) or the Nova (Lygon St Carlton), the details of movie and cinema are advertised a week prior.

The Walking Group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month to walk around various landmarks close to the city. Walks are generally around 5k and certainly no further than 8k with big hills avoided. A suitable stop for coffee is normally part of the walk. It is a good opportunity to get some exercise and have a chat at the same time. The actual destination will be advised with the invitation a week before.

Join Bearbrass friends for a long Sunday lunch at one of Melbourne’s fabulous pubs!

Bearbrass Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month in the meeting room at Concavo-Convesso Apartments, Docklands 3008.  Members usually have a morning coffee at Saluministi Cafe, ground floor Concavo-Convesso Apartments, before officially beginning the meeting at 11:30am.  There is always the option to stay on for lunch following the meeting.  Each month, the discussion is led by a club member, with books and leaders planned ahead for the year.  New members are warmly welcomed! 

The book on our list for April 20 is "The Names" by Florence Knapp and the discussion leader is Heather 

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

The Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne offers a natural bushland experience alongside the Australian Garden, an award-winning, contemporary botanic garden celebrating the beauty and diversity of Australian landscapes and flora and featuring over 100,000 plants from 1,900 plant varieties.

The bushland has over 450 indigenous plant species and includes over 10km of walking tracks, six kilometres of cycling tracks, a lookout tower, picturesque shelters, barbecues and playgrounds. It is a precious remnant of the vegetation that once covered the broader region and is actively managed to control the number of non-indigenous plants and exotic weeds.

The wine aficionados of Bearbrass Probus Club gather on the last Friday of the month to sample a collection of wines we may not have tried before.

Apart from having as much fun as possible, the aim of each session is to taste a range of wines which we might not have considered buying previously - for whatever reason.

After the tidy up, tasters may choose to go on for a cheap and cheerful dinner at a venue nearby, to be advised.

Cost for the tasting is $25 per head and the group size is capped at 12.

Relive a defining era of pop music history when The 60 Four sing the biggest hits of the ’60s and ’70s in a spectacular Vegas-style show. Backed by a powerhouse live band, The 60 Four will be performing classics from Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Frankie Valli, The Bee Gees, Johnny O’Keefe, Tom Jones and more.

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Across the past couple of years, members have suggested that we visit towns in regional Victoria and undertake guided tours. As a result, a visit to Ballarat planned for Thursday 7^th May 2026.

We will take a guided walking tour for an overview of Ballarat’s marvellous gild rush era buildings. The guided amble runs for approximately 90 – 100 minutes as we delve into the storied past pf Ballarat – as evident in its historic main street.  Our guide will meet us at the corner Sturt St and Lydiard St in Ballarat at 11:30am. The tour runs 11:30am – 1:00pm. Afterwards members can enjoy lunch at one of the hotels in Lydiard Street.

Ballarat is a little over 90 minutes away from Melbourne, be it by train or car.  Members can chose to

• drive or travel by train to and from Ballarat on the one day, Thursday 7^th May
• travel to Ballarat on the 6^th , stay overnight and be in situ for the tour on Thursday 7^th May
• stay overnight in Ballarat on the day of the walking tour and return to Melbourne on Friday 8^th May. 

• The 9:16am train from Southern Cross arrives at Ballarat/Lydiard St station at 10:53am
• Drivers need to plan to leave Melbourne in time to be parked at the Lydiard St station in Ballarat by 10:53am

Swing, style and plenty of laughs will light up your day when acclaimed entertainer Rhys Tolhurst brings his hit show A Swing Affair. Rhys will be joined by guest vocalist Nina Ferro. Together they pay tribute to the Great American Songbook with timeless hits from Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Harry Connick Jr and Michael Bublé

The Walking Group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month to walk around various landmarks close to the city. Walks are generally around 5k and certainly no further than 8k with big hills avoided. A suitable stop for coffee is part of the walk. It is a good opportunity to get some exercise and have a chat at the same time. The actual destination will be advised with the invitation one week before.

Join friends from Bearbrass as you journey behind heritage diesel locomotives aboard the Grainlander to explore the spectacular Mallee region of Victoria. Be amazed by the once-busy silos that have been transformed into giant canvases hosting spectacular artworks along the Silo Art Trail

Join Bearbrass friends for a long Sunday lunch at one of Melbourne’s fabulous pubs!

Bearbrass Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month in the meeting room at Concavo-Convesso Apartments, Docklands 3008.  Members usually have a morning coffee at Saluministi Cafe, ground floor Concavo-Convesso Apartments, before officially beginning the meeting at 11:30am.  There is always the option to stay on for lunch following the meeting.  Each month, the discussion is led by a club member, with books and leaders planned ahead for the year.  New members are warmly welcomed! 

The book on our list for May 18 is "Limberlost" by Robbie Arnott and the discussion leader is Rose 

Come along to the Wharf Hotel on the first and third Tuesday of each month for a friendly board game or Mahjong.

No prior experience needed. Mahjong coaches will happily introduce new players to this fascinating game. 

Otherwise, join in on Scrabble or bring along your favourite game.

Drinks and food available.

Join Bearbrass friends for a movie, followed by dinner and lively discussion.

Generally at either the Kino (Collins Street) or the Nova (Lygon St Carlton), the details of movie and cinema are advertised a week prior.

The wine aficionados of Bearbrass Probus Club gather on the last Friday of the month to sample a collection of wines we may not have tried before.

Apart from having as much fun as possible, the aim of each session is to taste a range of wines which we might not have considered buying previously - for whatever reason.

After the tidy up, tasters may choose to go on for a cheap and cheerful dinner at a venue nearby, to be advised.

Cost for the tasting is $25 per head and the group size is capped at 12.

En Pointe — The Australian Ballet School

The Australian Ballet School’s annual performance captivates audiences with a breathtaking new program each year. Featuring the School’s talented full-time students, this vibrant mixed show celebrates the art of ballet, from uplifting contemporary pieces to beautiful classical works.

Bearbrass Book Club meets on the third Monday of each month in the meeting room at Concavo-Convesso Apartments, Docklands 3008.  Members usually have a morning coffee at Saluministi Cafe, ground floor Concavo-Convesso Apartments, before officially beginning the meeting at 11:30am.  There is always the option to stay on for lunch following the meeting.  Each month, the discussion is led by a club member, with books and leaders planned ahead for the year.  New members are warmly welcomed! 

The book on our list for June 15 is "The Benevolent Society of Ill-mannered Ladies" by Alison Goodman and the discussion leader is Pam

Join Bearbrass friends for a movie, followed by dinner and lively discussion.

Generally at either the Kino (Collins Street) or the Nova (Lygon St Carlton), the details of movie and cinema are advertised a week prior.

The Walking Group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month to walk around various landmarks close to the city. Walks are generally around 5k and certainly no further than 8k with big hills avoided. A suitable stop for coffee is part of the walk. It is a good opportunity to get some exercise and have a chat at the same time. The actual destination will be advised with the invitation one week before.

Join Bearbrass friends for a long Sunday lunch at one of Melbourne’s fabulous pubs!

The wine aficionados of Bearbrass Probus Club gather on the last Friday of the month to sample a collection of wines we may not have tried before.

Apart from having as much fun as possible, the aim of each session is to taste a range of wines which we might not have considered buying previously - for whatever reason.

After the tidy up, tasters may choose to go on for a cheap and cheerful dinner at a venue nearby, to be advised.

Cost for the tasting is $25 per head and the group size is capped at 12.