Events & Local Area

First day of school

A helpful guide for Donnybrae families

Starting school is a big milestone for every family. There’s excitement, nerves, new routines and plenty of questions - especially when it’s your child’s very first day. At Donnybrae, many families are preparing for this moment together.

Here are some practical tips to help make the transition to school smooth, positive and confidence-building for your child.

1. Practise the school routine early

A few weeks before term starts, begin easing into a school-day rhythm.

Neighbourhood Watch collaboration

Donnybrae and the Dennis Family Corporation has enjoyed a long-standing association with Neighbourhood Watch.

Neighbourhood Watch’s Victorian CEO, Bambi Gordon, says "it's all about neighbours working together to make communities better, safer, friendlier places to live."

Bambi has led Neighbourhood Watch since 2017, helping the organisation to continue to grow and evolve.

SEND SNAP SOLVE

Have you heard about Snap Send Solve?

They help to keep shared spaces safe, clean and great to be in.

If you've spotted damage or something that needs fixing within your neighbourhood, you can alert local 'solvers' by using the Snap Send Solve app and website. Solvers include local councils, water authorities, power companies, government organisations, telcos, universities, and much more!

Head to Kinglake National Park this School Holidays

If you’re looking for an action-packed weekend away with the kids this school holidays, why not plan a trip to the Kinglake National Park, just under 40 minutes from Donnybrae.

Lying on the slopes of the Great Dividing Range, Kinglake National Park offers scenic walks, thrilling mountain bike trails and picnics – all against the backdrop of panoramic views of the city, Port Phillip Bay, the Yarra Valley and across to the You Yangs.

How to brighten your garden this Winter!

Right now in the middle of a chilly Winter, it’s easy to understand why many of us are so eagerly anticipating the arrival of Spring. Who isn’t looking forward to the days becoming a little warmer and seeing the garden burst into life.

But here’s a little secret! There’s no need to wait. A little effort right now means that even in late Winter, your garden can still put on a spectacular show.

So, what to grow?

Donnybrae Estate | Why We All Need Neighbourhood Watch

Founded in 1983, Neighbourhood Watch (NHW) is an Australia-wide community based, crime prevention organisation which aims to reduce localised crime and make our neighbourhoods safer.

Over 40 years down the track, thanks to the efforts of tens of thousands of volunteers working in partnership with their local police, NHW has grown to become one our most effective crime prevention programs, successfully helping to reduce the risk of crime and violence in the community by encouraging people to look out for each other and report suspicious activity.

On your bike!

Great bike rides in and around Donnybrook and Melbourne’s North.

Melbourne’s north is home to some truly magnificent riding tracks and trails, including mountain bike trails and shared pathways.

Spread throughout the area, these offer you anything from a leisurely pedal to a challenging circuit, every one of them offering up picture-perfect vistas.

Here are several of our favourites catering to every level of skill and experience for you to choose from.

Bike Paths, Roads.

Grape grazing. Our favourite wineries around Donnybrae!

Donnybrae is just down the road from some of Victoria’s best wineries, offering a tipple for every palate.

Here are some of our favourites!

Five Vineyard.

Paul Sadler Swimschool Mickleham

Getting your garden summer-ready!

With Summer now well and truly here, it’s a busy time for gardeners. With long, hot and often very dry stints over the warmer months, most gardens need a little extra care to stay full of life and thrive.

Here are our top tips to keep your garden looking lush throughout the warmer months ahead:

Building healthy soil

Construction

Design Inspiration