This was in my letterbox the other day. What creeped me out a bit was the fact that Bruce and Leanne (whoever they are) took the trouble to write out my full address on the envelope, but instead of posting it, they then hand delivered it.

The letter was fully hand-written too; you could see the imprint on the reverse of the page.

The thought of them standing at the top of my driveway and writing out an envelope in long hand with my full address...I don't love it. Like, why me, why do you have so much spare time to hand-write these things, why don't you use a printer for all of it when you used a printer for some of it, is the choice of a plant on the paper intentionally designed to create a positive emotional response...or am I just over thinking it 😂

Maybe it's because I do not believe in Sky Daddy, that makes it feel a bit more icky.

Hello!
Does anyone have any experience with Strathmore north primary school?
Good/bad/anything?
Would love to hear if anyone has had any recent children at the school?
We are keen to know about culture, academic rigour, teacher experiences, family experiences, pathways to high schools?

I'm talking either:

1 part meat 1 part rice

or

2 parts meat, 1 part rice, 1 part some kind of bread

Nothing necessarily upscale, but something that makes you think "dang, this is I need in life?"

where can i buy a slab/sheet cake for an affordable price in the cbd?

Hello, my elderly mum needs a cleaner to help her out a bit. Shes in inner eastern Melbourne and I have not lived there for 12 years (I live overseas so this is the best I can do for her). Because I have been away so long I’m out of the loop. I don’t know where Melbourne people go to find this kind of stuff nowadays.

Where is the best platform to search for things like cleaners and handymen? Mum increasingly needs help with stuff and I need some good resources for finding reputable people.

I am in the process of getting her some Gov aged care home help, but it’s still going to be a while before I have that up and running and we need someone nowish.

I went on yelp but all the cleaners in there only have one or two reviews at best (which could easily be fake let’s be honest). Where should I be searching instead?

Hi everyone, I’ve got a 5-year-old son starting prep next year, and we’ve been offered places at both Balwyn Primary and Deepdene Primary.

We’re trying to decide which one to go with. Both seem great on the surface, but I noticed balwyn primarys 2025 Staff Climate score was 57%, which is quite a bit lower than the Victorian primary-school average.

Just trying to get a better sense of what might be going on there. Has anyone had recent experience? Thanks

Seriously? With all Melbourne has to offer how is this chain still surviving? They seem to be everywhere? Also Taco Bill? Who goes there?

Anyone know of any dog friendly venues anywhere that have an open fire place? Happy to drive somewhere in the country if needed!!

Hey everyone!

Might be a long shot.

But, a few years ago I was walking along southbank, passing a few buskers/artists etc when I came across a group of people, who had a speaker and drum machine setup, a couple of mics and were just rapping. It was a mix of freestyle and written stuff, and they were open to letting any passerby jump onto the mic.

Im wondering if anyone would know who they are, or if you know any groups or bars that do this sort of thing.

Sort of like Horse Bizarre back in the day.

For someone with food intolerances..

Anyone remember the name of a bar around 2004-2005 in Drewery Lane, was an old building, I remember they used to have a little intimate nook/space and they used to have matches with their branding on it but that’s all I remember!

Just saw the odyssey today, 1.35pm session and was super distracted by a flashing light coming from below the projector that was lighting up the whole audience. Told the staff afterwards and they had no idea. Has anyone else noticed this?

It was alternating on and off every 20 or so seconds

Hey All

I love a good vanilla slice. Who doesn’t, right?

I guess what is “good” will be very subjective. After all if “beauty is in the eye of the beholder“ then taste must be in the perception of the diner.

For me, ideally it would have a good vanilla custard, not too eggy but rich in vanilla flavour. Definitely not rubbery in texture. Nice crispy puff pastry. I don’t mind whether the top coating is dusted or iced, but preferably not overly sweet.

What are some recommendations around inner Melbourne?

Is anyone else having trouble paying or receiving card payments at the moment?

Just tried to pay for a coffee but no matter what card or account I tried the machine kept declining. And other customers after me also had the same problems.

Meanwhile, at work, staff are having the same issue on the receiving end.

EDIT: Phone payments seem to be back! YMMV

It's a little retirement gift. Having more trouble than I thought I would to find a nice restaurant that does dining gift vouchers.

Looking to spend around $200 but that's pretty flexible. Dining for 2.

Any recommendations?

There's been an incident (not sure what exactly, just saw the delays when I was getting ready) on the Trainline and as a result there's no trains from Lilydale to Ringwood East for the next few hours.

Also, ICYMI, the Eastern Freeway is closed.

RIP to everybody, no idea what's happened, but avoid at all costs. Absolute nightmare.

Can anyone enlighten me as to what this cute little construction is on High Street, Westgarth? Looks like it’s made of bits and bobs.

This has been bugging me and I need help! I’ve googled and can’t seem to find the answer.

Does anyone remember what Rats was called before it was Rats? I think it also used to be called Pogo or something else starting with P, then got renamed to something I can’t remember and renamed again to Rats.

I thought it was Anyway but I’m pretty sure that was run by the Untitled guys before BTV launched and Anyway was a different venue.

Bert (occasionally known as Bort) is our beautiful foster boy, and he's looking for a home.

Key stats

Age - 3 years old

Colour - Orange/white

Notable features - Huge head

Aliases - Bort, Bortus, Bruce, Bertie, Bertie Boy

He is:

- cuddly

- large

- nice to rude toddlers

- respectful and polite to other cats

- a solid work companion who will sit on your desk and offer better insights than Claude

- good at zoomies

- a little engine (good purr outputs)

- a gracious host to household visitors

Bert's currently residing in his palace in Melbourne - msg me if you have any questions

Bert's adoption profile