Free community picnic for Southbank

Southbank residents are being encouraged to spend an afternoon on the green at Boyd Community Hub on March 29.

A free sausage sizzle, free slushies, a scavenger hunt, lawn games and karaoke are on offer for locals as part of Outside, Side by Side.

The event is being organised by the City of Melbourne neighbourhood volunteer program’s Southbank crew.

It will be suitable for all ages, and fur babies can attend on leash.

Southbank crew organiser Bonnie Lu said, “locals should feel free to bring a picnic and enjoy some time together in the park at Boyd Community Hub.”

“This is a great opportunity to make new friends and connect to community groups.”

Ms Lu said the neighbourhood volunteer program hoped to bring locals together in Southbank’s public spaces through events like Outside, Side by Side.

“We’re hoping this can start a discussion with locals about Southbank’s open spaces, and what they would like to see in them in future,” Ms Lu said.

“In City of Melbourne’s most recent pulse check survey, Southbank’s young people responded they did not feel engaged, but almost 50 per cent of this suburb’s residents are young couples.”

“That’s why we decided on karaoke and scavenger hunts in the hope that will draw out a young crowd,” Ms Lu said.

Flyers promoting Outside, Side by Side will be displayed in Southbank ahead of the event.

More information is available online at the event’s Facebook and Eventbrite pages.

People are encouraged to register their attendance in advance. •