What are the opening hours?

Monday 8:30am - 5pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm Thursday 8:30am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm

Araluen

Araluen provides NDIS funded support to individuals with a disability that are imaginative, caring a

The Araluen Centre was established at the Lower Plenty site in Old Eltham Road in 1973 to provide services for adults with an intellectual disability. Our heritage dates back to 1950 when a small group of parents commenced a supported playgroup in a Kew garage.

01/09/2026

New opportunity for someone looking to move into a share house! Details below.

We are looking for new mates as well as housemates - someone who’d enjoy fitting into a relaxed, active, and friendly home. Are you considerate, willing to develop skills and share in household routines? Are you willing to join with us, and with support from our staff, make our home a happy working household? A great fit would be someone social who enjoys joining in group activities, while still having their own interests - just like us. We value a positive attitude, a good sense of humour and someone who is interested to communicate their feelings openly and who listens to others.

13/08/2026

🎨 Fancy a cuppa, a biccy, some creative conversation and plenty of inspiration?

Join Diamantis and fellow exhibiting artists for a free, informal artist talk on Wednesday 19 August at 10am at the Eltham Library Community Gallery.

Presented alongside our group exhibition Shaping Selves, this is a chance to hear the stories behind the artworks, learn more about the artists' creative journeys, and enjoy a relaxed conversation about art and identity.

☕ Tea, coffee and biscuits provided
🎟️ Free event
📍 Eltham Library Community Gallery
🗓️ Wednesday 19 August, 10am
🏃Places are limited - booking is essential!

To book:
DM us to reserve your spot
Phone 1300 020 625
Book online:
https://events.humanitix.com/shaping-selves-artist-talk

Our thanks to Nillumbik Shire Council

06/08/2026

🎨🍪 As if a gallery overloaded with exceptional art isn't enough to entice anyone out of the house tomorrow evening... Lucky art lovers at our next Art Connects exhibition opening will also get the chance to taste some delicious new cookie creations from Chancez Café and vote for their favourite.

To celebrate 10 years of Chancez Café, participants have been busy inventing, baking and testing a range of celebration cookies. We've narrowed it down to our top 3 final delicious flavours - 'For fudge sake', 'Nutty by nature' & 'Crumb & get it'. Now we need your help to crown the winner.

You're welcome to join us at the opening of:

🎨Shaping Selves
Eltham Library Community Gallery
Panther Place, Eltham
Friday 7 August, 6.00pm-7.30pm.

Enjoy the artwork, sample the finalist cookies and cast your vote for the cookie you'd like to see officially crowned the Chancez Café 10-Year Anniversary Cookie. We'll be crumb-struck if you miss it👑🍪

Our thanks to Nillumbik Shire Council

15/07/2026

We did it – together! 🎉

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you to everyone who supported our EOFY Appeal to create a gallery and web sales platform for Art Connects. Due to the incredible generosity of our community, we not only reached our $17,000 target - we smashed it!

Your support means we can now create an even more professional, inspiring and welcoming gallery, and showcase the exceptional work of talented artists and creators in the best possible way. We’re aiming to open the gallery in late 2026. In the meantime, stay tuned and stay involved >>>>

🤔💭🗯Help us name our gallery!
Have a great idea for what it should be called? We'd love to hear it. Send your suggestions via DM or email [email protected] by 31 July.

The winning entry will receive some exclusive campaign goodies plus a $100 Art Connects voucher.

Thank you for helping make this dream a reality. 💙

10/07/2026

NAIDOC Week 2026 | 50 Years of Deadly

This NAIDOC Week, Araluen acknowledges and celebrates the rich cultures, enduring strength and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The 2026 theme, "50 Years of Deadly", marks a significant milestone, recognising five decades of celebrating First Nations histories, cultures, achievements and leadership, while honouring the communities, Elders and advocates who continue to drive positive change.

As a disability support organisation, Araluen recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability often face additional barriers to inclusion, access and opportunity. Through our Reconciliation Action Plan, we are committed to fostering culturally safe and inclusive environments, listening to and learning from First Nations communities, and working in partnership to support better outcomes.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to reflect on the importance of self-determination, respect and reconciliation, and to reaffirm our commitment to a future where all people can participate, belong and thrive.

Find out more about NAIDOC Week and public events near you here: https://www.naidoc.org.au/local-events/local-naidoc-week-events

[Image description: NAIDOC Week logo, “Celebrating 50 NAIDOC Week” alongside logo with the theme “50 Years of Deadly”, 5 to 12 July 2026.]

09/07/2026

Araluen is proud that Chancez Café at Mill Park Library Yarra Plenty Regional Library, Australia was a finalist in The 2026 City of Whittlesea Business Awards.

In this video produced by the City of Whittlesea, Araluen CEO, Tamara Cattach, shares why the café stands out - not just as a great community café, but as a business where inclusion, opportunity and ability are on full display.

Chancez Cafes are a powerful example of what's possible when inclusive employment practices are embraced and people are given the opportunity to shine.

Congratulations to our whole Chancez team, all finalists and winners, and our thanks to City of Whittlesea.

🎥 Watch the video and see the impact for yourself.

Learn more: https://www.araluen.org/chancez-cafe/

30/06/2026

⏳ It’s the last day of the financial year

If you’ve been thinking about supporting artists at Araluen, today is your final chance to make a tax-deductible gift this financial year.

We’ve already made great progress thanks to our community, and any support today will help us create an even more welcoming, professional, and inspiring gallery space.

👉 Click here to support us online: https://www.givenow.com.au/artconnects
📞 Or call 1300 020 625

Thank you for being part of it 💛

the

29/06/2026

🎨 Why Araluen’s Art Connects EOFY fundraiser is so important - in Huw’s words. Please support our campaign so we can build an online gallery via this link, and hear from Huw below.

👉 https://www.givenow.com.au/artconnects
📞 1300 020 625

Huw says:
“I’m so excited by a gallery space because I’m a big fan of my imagination.” (So are we, Huw!😀)

“We need this because you can view pottery work and lots of people — like family and friends — can come into the gallery space, grab a cup of coffee, sit and talk about lots, then they will get up to see artwork.”

“When people look around at everybody’s work, they can always see that we do have great ideas to share.”

💛 We’re so close to achieving an online gallery to support the physical gallery you’ve already helped us achieve through our campaign. Can you please help get us over this final line by tomorrow?

💜 Big thanks to all our supporters so far. We are so excited by the new and lasting opportunities you’re creating for all our artists.

26/06/2026

Big news! We’re just a little way off making our Art Connects web gallery a reality 🙌

Thanks to our EOFY campaign, we’ve raised enough to open our own gallery at Lower Plenty. 🎉 With the finish line in sight, every small gift truly helps — and we’re so grateful for your support 💛

Support here: https://www.givenow.com.au/artconnects

📞 Or call: 1300 020 625

PS: A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful people who’ve helped us get this far. Keep an eye out for updates about our next steps. It’s so exciting that talented artists like Tom can have their own space and lasting opportunity.

25/06/2026

Check out these stars! 🌟
Chancez Café Mill Park Library proudly attended the Whittlesea Business Awards last night. While we didn’t take home the prize, we had a wonderful evening celebrating so much innovation happening in our community. As finalists, we put ability, opportunity, and inclusion in the spotlight where that belongs! And these happy faces say it all. Congratulations to all winners and finalists and thank you to City of Whittlesea and everyone who supports us. 💜

Address

226 Old Eltham Road
Lower Plenty, VIC
3093

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+611300020625

Website

http://www.araluen.org/

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