Give the week a little room to play
A useful local plan does not always need a ticket budget. This week brings free library creativity, a community BBQ and an evening cricket session. Choose what fits, leave some breathing room, and let the calendar take a day off from being a competitive sport.
About this edition: Selected choices for 24–30 September 2026, prepared by The Maroondah Exchange. Last source check: 17 September 2026. All times are local. Organiser details, prices and availability can change; confirm before booking or travelling. This weekly page switches to the next Thursday–Wednesday edition every Tuesday.
Maroondah-first coverage: Bayswater North, Croydon, Croydon Hills, Croydon North, Croydon South, Heathmont, Kilsyth South, Ringwood, Ringwood East, Ringwood North and Warranwood, plus the Maroondah parts of Kilsyth, Park Orchards, Vermont and Wonga Park. Selected nearby Bayswater choices are labelled outside Maroondah.
Living well with dementia
Local support, in one place
Families, friends and people living with dementia can hear about local services, with guest speakers, a mini expo and light morning tea.
Useful information for people navigating care and support, and those supporting them.
When: Thursday 24 September, 9.30am–12.30pm
Where: Maroondah Federation Estate, Ringwood
Listed cost: Free
Free; bookings essential through the Council event page.
Organiser: Positive Ageing team · hosted by Maroondah City Council and Care Connect
Check Living well with dementia attendance and booking details
Mr Perfect BBQ
A Sunday invitation to connect
Mr Perfect brings men together over a free community BBQ, with time for conversation and company.
A simple community invitation for men looking to meet others locally.
When: Sunday 27 September, 10.30am–12.30pm
Where: Central Ringwood Community Centre, Ringwood
Listed cost: Free
Free. Check current attendance details with Mr Perfect before travelling.
Organiser: Mr Perfect – Community BBQs for Men
Ninjas, Superheroes and Dancers Pipe Cleaner People Craft
Small characters, big imaginations
Make a posable pipe cleaner ninja, superhero, dancer or another character, then build a world for it using boxes and craft supplies.
A hands-on holiday activity at Croydon Library. The characters can do the dramatic posing.
When: Monday 28 September, 3pm–4pm
Where: Croydon Library, Croydon
Listed cost: Free
Free; no bookings required on the checked source. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Organiser: Your Library
Check Ninjas, Superheroes and Dancers Pipe Cleaner People Craft attendance and booking details
Family Board Games with Maroondah Toy Library
Let the board decide
Your Library and Maroondah Toy Library offer a chance for families and friends to try board games together at Croydon Library.
A shared activity where the game supplies the conversation starter.
When: Tuesday 29 September, 3pm–4.30pm
Where: Croydon Library, Croydon
Listed cost: Free
Free; no bookings required on the checked event page. Contact Croydon Library with children’s ages so Maroondah Toy Library can plan the games.
Organiser: Your Library
Check Family Board Games with Maroondah Toy Library attendance and booking details
LinkUP Cricket
Try the training, without match pressure
Japara’s LinkUP Cricket meets at Croydon Indoor Sports Centre in Kilsyth South.
Training is with the Women’s Redbacks team; the source welcomes beginners without a requirement to play matches. Japara’s LinkUP is supported by Yarra Ranges Council and associated with Kilsyth Cricket Club.
When: Tuesday 29 September, 7.30pm–8.30pm
Where: Croydon Indoor Sports Centre, Kilsyth South
Listed cost: Free
Free; reserve a spot through SocialPlanet.
Organiser: Japara Neighbourhood House
Bedazzled Library Cards
Give your library card a little sparkle
Decorate a library card at Realm Library. Bring an existing card, or ask the library about joining.
A free Wednesday drop-in idea, with the creativity going home in your wallet.
When: Wednesday 30 September, 10am–2pm
Where: Realm Library, Ringwood
Listed cost: Free
Free; no bookings required. Source age range 3–100. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Organiser: Your Library
Check Bedazzled Library Cards attendance and booking details
Bedazzle Your Library Card
A little sparkle nearby
Decorate your library card during a drop-in activity at Bayswater Library.
A selected nearby holiday option, outside Maroondah.
When: Thursday 24 September, 9am–5pm
Where: Bayswater Library, Bayswater
Listed cost: Free
Free; no bookings required. Bring your library card or ask about joining. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Organiser: Your Library
Check Bedazzle Your Library Card attendance and booking details
Recipe Swap
Give your recipe book some company
Chat about food and cooking at Croydon Library’s monthly Recipe Swap, sharing recipes and discovering ideas from other home cooks.
An adult social activity where a favourite recipe can be the conversation starter.
When: Thursday 24 September, 2pm–3pm
Where: Croydon Library, Croydon
Listed cost: Free
Free adult event; reserve your place using library credentials, by phone or at a library. Check current booking availability.
Organiser: Your Library
Bilingual English & Chinese Family Storytime
Two languages, one storytime
Sarah and JingJing share stories, songs and rhymes in English and Chinese at Realm Library, in conjunction with A Little Chinese Adventure.
A free shared activity for children aged 0–6 and their families or caregivers, with time to stay and socialise afterwards.
When: Tuesday 29 September, 11am
Where: Realm Library, Ringwood
Listed cost: Free
Free; no bookings required. Ages 0–6. The checked source describes a 25–30 minute session followed by an activity.
Organiser: Your Library · in conjunction with A Little Chinese Adventure
Check Bilingual English & Chinese Family Storytime attendance and booking details
More free choices for your week
Find free listed events for Thursday 24 September–Wednesday 30 September 2026 below. Search by suburb, venue or organiser. Check the current source for booking, availability and attendance conditions.
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