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Community Services
Check out the community services offered in your area.
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Busy Bugs
Busy Bugs operates each fortnight on a Friday afternoon during school term. Sessions are from 1:30 to 3:30pm. This is one of the region’s most popular pre-school community groups for preschoolers (aged 1-5 years old). Busy Bugs offers a safe environment for active, structured play on gymnasium style equipment, and encourages parents to connect and form friendships with other families on the Fleurieu.
Cafe Crozier
Café Crozier is a community meals program run by volunteers. It was initiated in 2011 by a group of local people who saw a need to support others who are lonely, vulnerable, homeless or at risk of homelessness, or simply in need of a good healthy meal. The two-course meal is available on a Sunday evening, from 6pm to 8pm, each fortnight. The café attracts 40 to 50 diners at each event. The meals, service and social support are provided by our regular Café Crozier volunteers as well as local community groups, including service clubs, churches, schools and local businesses. This community service does not have access to ongoing funding, relying totally on donations. Diners are asked for a gold coin donation if they are able to afford it.
Caring Neighbourhoods
The City of Victor Harbor’s Caring Neighbourhood Program has been operating for over 25 years, offering an inclusive and supportive environment to those who are aged over 65 and feeling isolated or disconnected.
Chirpy Chickens
Chirpy Chickens is a morning full of fun, music with actions, coordination and confidence building activities. We use pre-school instruments like bells, drums, shakers, dancing and action props like pompoms, ribbons, balls and beanbags so the kids are engaged and using their whole bodies. Morning tea is provided for the parents/caregivers and a healthy snack provided for the little ones. Monday’s during school terms: 9:30-11am. $3 for 1 child. $5 for 2 or more children.
Christian Community Care
Christian Community Care provides assistance for those in our community who are doing it a bit tough. Hundreds of families and individuals are supported as part of the combined church’s commitment to social justice.
Christian Friendship Centre
The Victor Harbor Christian Bookshop, also known as the Christian Friendship Centre, was first established in 1972 by a group of volunteers from local churches. The original purpose of the shop was as a drop in centre for young people, but today it is a well established Christian bookshop and cafe. The Christian Friendship centre organisation is not-for-profit, and is staffed by generous volunteers who come from a wide variety of church denominations within our community. All our profits go to local missions and community groups, including financial support to local pastoral care workers (school chaplains) within our schools. We have been able to donate over $500 000 in financial support to local and international missions throughout our existence.
Come to Victor Harbor
Victor Harbor is somewhere you feel at the mention of its name—a place that stirs a profound personal connection and gently draws you in.
Krafty Kapers
This group of ladies meet every week for friendship, craft, and morning tea. Sometimes an activity is undertaken that helps the wider community e.g. making rugs for a hospital or gowns for stillborn babies. They have a trading table each week, the proceeds allowing them to support a World Vision student and a Smith Family student among other smaller community projects. They take a break from early December until when School goes back in February. You may not want to do crafts – just come along and chat, see what others are doing and making and share in the morning tea – home-made and very nice, complete with most times, barista coffee or Chai latte. 9.30am – 11.30am each Wednesday ( except when LifeBlood are here to take blood four weeks per year) Held in the Green Room of the Victor Harbor Lutheran Centre. A great place to meet people, share over a cuppa and home-made morning tea.
Loaves and Fishes
On Thursday afternoons into the evening and Friday mornings until mid morning, the front room of the Lutheran Church centre is a hive of activity serving those who need a little help sourcing basic food, toiletries, rugs, beanies and the like. OzHarvest supplies much of the food which is supplemented by goods collected from a local bakery. Occasional supplies come from other businesses and the donations of the community residents who have surplus, especially in-season fruit and vegetables.
Many people from the community volunteer to check and display the food on Thursday afternoons. More volunteers are needed – no special skills required – our coordinator guides and directs what is needed. Thursdays: 2pm – 5pm preparing and displaying 4.20pm – 5.30pm collection from Bakery and packaging buns for distribution 6pm – 6.45pm serving followed by packing down, refrigerating some foods Fridays: 8.30am preparing to serve 8.45am – 9.30am serving 9.30am – 10am packing up, preparing delivery parcels 10am taking deliveries to those who can’t physically attend.
If you love to be busy, then this might be a great way to volunteer your time. Very interesting work for those who like to work with people or display veg and fruit. Meeting those who need encouragement, hearing their stories – coal-face ministry. Working together is always a good way to meet new friends and in this environment one gets to know how those on the street live and survive. Men are very welcome here – some of the work involves lifting.
Potter’s Clay
Potter’s Clay is a non-denominational program, established by the Victor Harbor Church of Christ in 2001, which provides opportunities for people with an intellectual disability or mental health disorder to participate in an interactive time of worship, followed by a meal and fellowship activity. It is held on the fourth Saturday of each month, between January and November, commencing at 5pm and concluding at 7pm. New participants are always welcome. Some participants come with their carers.
Probus Victor Harbor
Probus is all about Friendship, Fellowship and Fun in retirement. Probus provides you with the opportunity to join together in clubs and to progress healthy minds and active bodies through social interaction and activities with retirees in your community. Probus opens the door to new experiences and friendships, you can hear wonderful guest speakers, stay active by participating in a wide range of activities and explore your community, your country or the world.
Rotary Encounter Bay
Originally an extension of the Victor Harbor club, the Rotary Club of Encounter Bay started in 1978. The club serves the community by running community markets at Goolwa and Port Elliot on the first and third weekends of each month.
Senior Citizen Activities
Snooker, Indoor Bowls, Beginners Bridge, 8 Ball, Tai Chi, Scottish Dance (Ceilidh) Bridge
Antiques and Collectables: Monthly, 2nd Sun 2pm – 4pm.
Eligibility: People aged 50 and over
Access: Audio loop for hearing impaired, Wheelchair access, Accessible toilets, Accessible parking
Hours: Daily 9am – 3pm
South Coast School Ministry Support Group
Supporting student well-being and growth through compassionate pastoral care in our local public schools.
The Fleurieu Aquatic Centre
The Aquatic Centre is a joint initiative of the City of Victor Harbor & Alexandrina Council. Features of the facility include:
- 25 metre, 8 lane swimming pool.
- Multi-use program pool; Rehabilitation Pool; Outdoor splash park; Fitness facility.
- Play club, Café & Free outdoor barbecues.
University of the Third Age
University of the Third Age (U3A) is a university in the original sense of the word: a community of people devoted to learning. We are a volunteer co-operative of older people who share many educational, creative and leisure activities. Although it is called a “university”, being in your Third Age is the only qualification needed to participate in our U3A.
Victor Harbor Library
Services:
Baby Bounce ‘n’ Rhyme weekly Wed 10am during school terms
Friends of the Victor Harbor Library, Internet access, Local history collection, Office facilities – photocopying, School holiday activities, Storytelling, and craft for preschoolers – Wed 10.30am
Ongoing Community Programs – Let’s Meet at the Library, Yunnan Pulgi – Writers Group, Family History Help, Weekly Kids Programs, Technology Help
Victor Harbor Mens Shed
The VHMS is an organisation for men of all ages to spend time with other blokes with similar interests in working with their hands or just chatting.
They meet at any time after 9.30am, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays, so feel free to bring along your projects, or come along to have a chat & work with other blokes (any time before we finish about 3.30pm). We’re at the Victor Harbor Men’s Shed, Martha Close, off Canterbury Road, near Crozier Road and Armstrong Road. See you there!
Victor Harbor Messy Church
Messy Church is a way of being church for families and others. It is Christ centred, for all ages, based on creativity, hospitality and celebration. The first Messy Church was formed in the UK in 2004. Today, there are over 4,000 registered Messy Churches across the globe and across denominations.
The Victor Harbor Messy Church is now entering its third year. Each time there is a different theme upon which most things that happen are based around. All ages are welcome – children must be accompanied by at least one parent/caregiver who stays with the child throughout the session. On arrival they select an activity – there are always multiple activities, the idea being that they try their hand at many if not all on offer. All then gather for a time of singing, sharing and worship type activity then everyone participates in a shared meal before they leave.
Activities can include crafts, playing games, sport to painting and getting messy (smocks supplied!) 3.30pm arrival 4.30pm Worship time 5.00pm meal 5.30pm pack up. Held approximately at least once a term on Sunday afternoons at the Victor Harbor Lutheran Centre – using all areas including outdoor fenced areas according to activities planned and weather conditions. No charge, but donations are welcome. A great place to meet people and make new friends.
Victor Harbor Toy Library
The Toy Library is a valuable help to parents and anyone who looks after or has children visiting. For $25 per year or $10 per term, members can borrow 2 toys per child, 2 games per family and 2 puzzles per family for up to a fortnight before swapping for another set of toys, puzzles and games. There is a wide range of toys and things to borrow. It is currently open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 9am -1pm and 3-4pm on Tuesday afternoons every week except during the Christmas School Holidays.
It is a particular help to grandparents who have children coming to visit, providing affordable activities for the visiting children which can be returned at the end of their stay. It also helps parents with gift-giving, allowing them to try before they buy that expensive toy that the child may not like. Volunteers are always welcome to help run it – the necessary checks can be arranged through the church before volunteers start work. Meeting parents and other toy library patrons may not be your desire but there are always toys to clean and check that all parts are together before they can be loaned again. Working together with other staff and having coffee together each morning is a great way to make friends and learn about the community and current events.
Wiggle & Wonder Community Playgroup
For little ones newborn to 5 years and their parents and caregivers. With a focus on friendship, play and a music and movement session. Free to attend. For more information find @wiggleandwonderplaygroup on social media.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions, please get in touch via the Contact Form. We’d love to hear from you.