Calder District

PO Box 313

Moonee Ponds 3039

A Brief History of the Calder District

          The Calder District represents about 16 groups in an area of north-western metropolitan Melbourne and local country groups. The District is bordered by Sydney Road/Hume Highway and the Maribyrnong River/ Calder Freeway.

          First started around the end of 1983, the District was quite successful with John S. from the Moonee Ponds group as its first District Committee Member (DCM). Its most memorable activity during this time was a public awareness meeting held in Kyneton. Unfortunately when John S. rotated off the District lacked leadership and eventually faded away.

          Towards the end of the 80's there was another attempt to get the District started, but this also failed through lack of support. The DCM at the time was Alan O'F (Moonee Ponds). During this period the District became involved in hospital and institutions work, with regular visits to the Pleasant View detox facility. This was continued by the Flemington Discussion Group while the District was inactive.

          Again, in late 1993, the District was reformed, with Glenn B (Flemington Discussion) as the DCM. This time the lessons of the past were heeded, and a full District Committee was put in place, including a Secretary, Treasurer, Public Information Officer, and a Hospital and Institutions portfolio. The District has been successfully active ever since.

          Following DCMs have been Denise R. (Moonee Ponds), Warren D. (Essendon), Michael L. (Craigieburn), and Mark H. (Flemington Discussion). Barry H. (Flemington Discussion), followed by Jane H (Road To Recovery). The position is vacant at this present time.

Hospitals and Institutions

          The District has retained a focus on work with alcohol withdrawal units. The District commenced a monthly presentation at De Paul House in early 1997, along with weekly attendance at Bridgehaven, a women's alcohol rehabilitation unit. Attendance at Bridgehaven lasted for about 6 months. The presentation at De Paul House became a weekly event (every Monday night) in about August 1999, and continues to date. After the closure of Pleasant View, the District conducted a presentation for clients at the Moreland Hall detox (May 1998 to Mar 1999) until the unit moved out of the District.

          A 'Temporary Contact Programme' was initiated with De Paul House in June 1999, and this also continues to date.

           In April 2003 the District commenced a roster whereby two members visit Ozanam House (a shelter for homeless men) every Wednesday night to carry the AA message to the clients there..

The 'Calder Action' Newsletter.

          The District commenced publishing a newsletter in the mid 1990's which is currently in recess.

Other Recent work

          - Recent work by the District includes the production of 'AA Information Paks' for distribution to doctors, clergy, and others involved in the field of alcoholism in the Essendon and Moonee Ponds localities. We hope to extend this service to the rest of the District in the future.

          - Workshops educating members on the De Paul House roster in conducting the presentation.

          - The District conducted a workshop about its work at De Paul House at the Southern Regional Forum in September 2004.

          - The District prepared the Public Information Mini-Forums (on behalf of Area D) which were held at the Essendon venue in August 2004 and at the Deer Park venue in August 2003.

          - The District was heavily involved in the organization of the 2005 National Public Information and Cooperation with Professional Community Forum.

          - The District has elected a 'Service Information Sub-Committee' with a view to making available to groups presentations and workshops to inform members about service in AA and the Service Structure of AA.

This list of Groups has been supplied by the Calder District for Historical purposes only.

For a current list of Groups in the District contact the Calder District 

Meetings in the Calder District include;

[A list of current AA meetings can be found on the AA Times Website http://aatimes.org.au/]

         Monday 7:00PM

“      "Planting the Hope”

         Spanish Speaking

        89 McCracken St

         Kensington

         Monday 8:00PM

         Essendon

         Beginners Meeting

        132 Keilor Rd

         North Essendon . [Tram Stop 49]

         Tuesday 7:00PM

         North Melbourne

         Discussion Meeting

        9 Pampas St  

          North Melbourne

        Tuesday 8:00PM

       Coburg

         Elderly Citizens Club

        21 Harding St

 Wednesday 11:00AM

Brunswick West

 Rear St Johns Church Hall

Cnr. Victoria St & Melville Rd

 Wednesday  7.30 PM

 Road to Recovery

 Moonee Ponds Court House

Kellaway Ave

 Wednesday  8:00 PM

 Sunbury

Salvation Army Building

27 Anderson Rd

 Thursday 8:00PM

 Flemington Discussion Group

  Flemington Neighbourhood Learning Centre

28 Farnham St

 Flemington

 Friday 6:30 PM

 Moonee  Ponds

 Twilight Meeting

 Salvation Army Church Hall

Cnr Mnt.Alexander Rd & Buckley St

 Friday 8:00 PM

North Coburg

816 Sydney Rd

 No 19 Tram

_________________________

 Saturday 8:00 PM

 Essendon

132 Keilor Rd

North  Essendon

 Tram Stop 49

 Sunday 7:00PM

 "Planting the Hope”

 Spanish Speaking

89 McCracken St

 Kensington

 Sunday 8:00 PM

 Craigieburn

 Selwyn House

 Cnr. Selwyn & Dianne Aves.

North Melbourne

 St Mary’s Hall

436 Queensbury St

 To contact the Calder District send E-mail containing details of your request to;  mailto:aa@aread.org.au marking "subject" Calder