Welcome to the South Melbourne Commons. The South Melbourne Commons is a family friendly community hub.
The Commons helps to bring back the sense of living in our local South Melbourne neighbourhood – It’s a public place where you bump into your friends and neighbours – It’s a place you can visit to buy your fresh organic fruit, vegetables and groceries whilst your kids are engrossed in a gardening workshop. Enjoy a meal and coffee in the cafe or just sit in our beautiful cafe garden and read the newspaper – everyone is welcome at the Commons. The Commons provides the local community of South Melbourne with valuable goods and services:
– a community café serving hot organic fair trade coffee and meals made using seasonal produce
– a food cooperative providing fresh fruit, vegetables, cleaning products and common grocery items
– beautiful community food gardens which supply produce for our café and food cooperative
– children’s space featuring playgroups, gardening club, parties and after school activities
– a community hall that you can hire for your functions and events
– affordable office and meeting spaces for community groups
– a playground and much more.
1) Donate: The South Melbourne Commons needs your support in its first year of operation to ensure we can continue to provide the local community with all the current valued services. It’s hard work starting a new enterprise like The Commons, so we really need your help and support. Please consider giving a donation to the South Melbourne Commons via the Friends of the Earth Give Now website. All donations over $2 are tax deductable.
2) Health & Wellness: We need to take care of our bodies, mind and spirit. Weekly classes in yoga, pilates and Nia Dance are available at the Commons to help restore some balance to your life. Nia Dance – Nia is a movement and lifestyle practice that joyfully blends Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts to stimulate, condition and heal your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Yoga – Yoga Basics – Suitable for all ages and no experience required. Pilates – Look long, lean and lengthened! Improve your strength, balance, flexibility and posture. Classes for students of all levels and a unique FABS 45+ programme for older exercisers who prefer to move a little more slowly Kids Yoga – Yoga clases for Toddlers & parents and pre-school age children. View our events calendar to see when the next classes are scheduled.
3) Membership: Become a Member Today – Join the Commons Club. By becoming a member you are showing your support for the Commons and members receive great benefits like:
10% off all purchases at the Commons Cafe (includes meal and coffee)
10% off all purchases at The Pantry (organic fruit, vegetables & groceries and more)
10% off hall and meeting room hire
10% off community office space rental
10% off Apples and Jam kids community activities.
One complimentary Nia dance session of their choice
To become a member simply download and complete our Membership Form and either post or email it back to the address specified in the form. One of our team will be in touch with you to confirm your membership has been processed.
4) Gardening Workshops: The Commons is hosting a range of gardening workshops. For beginners we provide the basics of how to grow your own veggies from seed in pots. More advanced gardeners can learn about intensive food production systems or undertake a Permaculture Design Certificate. Courses on composting, growing mushrooms, sprouts and making your own riased wick garden bed are also available.
5) Volunteer: The Commons relies on community volunteers to support our operations. The Commons provides you with a range of flexible casual and regular volunteer opportunities. Help out in our gardens, the Pantry organic grocery store, the office, fundraising, website maintenence or run a community event. Ask us about our special volunteer offer that rewards volunteers with a credit that they can spend at The Pantry to buy food and groceries. Read More…
6) Sustainability: The Commons is all about engaging with the community to promote sustainable living. We have just produced a series of resources to help you make your home more comfortable whilst reducing your ecological impact. We’ve also released a guide to help community groups undertake sustainable retrofits on their buildings as well as showcasing the educational signs that will be installed at the Commons. We’ve already run a whole series of workshops and themed days on a variety of sustainablity topics. If you’re passionate and want to know, please click here and read more details.
7) Photo Gallery: The Commons with it’s heritage listed features and beautiful food gardens is an amazing place to visit or host your next event. Please take the time to look our photo gallery to see how amazing the public community space is. Read More…