It’s thanks to well-meaning members of the public that the Museum has such a wealth of local specimens to exhibit. Well-meaning folk like Ludwig Becker who offered the Museum a Fur seal that he came upon sitting under the shade of a tree near the corner of Punt and Toorak Roads in the summer of 1859. People like the Smith family who donated their hand-made marionettes, for whom they constructed sets, wrote scripts and brought to life at a purpose-built theatre at Luna Park in the 1930s.

The Melbourne Story is a blockbuster, and a terrific way to know and love more about this dirty town.

Haircutters have answers. Gleaning knowledge from clients is one of the fallouts of cutting hair…Coz, it’s a natural extension for us clients to tell all to that someone we allow to run their fingers through our hair.

Dr Follicles (143 Swan St, Richmond & 240 Gertrude St, Fitzroy) is God’s gift to blokes’ grooming. Doing no-fuss cuts, it combines old barber chairs, kitschy furnishings and a shagpile of lopped locks with an exuberantly laidback vibe, rocking vinyl tunes and as much or as little chat as you can bear. Part of the prescription is a complimentary stubby of cold Coopers Pale Ale, a perfect descent into downtime.

The ladies equivalent is a little Hair Lounge in Brunswick, Corrin’s (459 Sydney Rd, enter via Sparta Place). It’s one step away from beehive-style hairdryers on floor stands, with Deco dressers, clouds of hairspray, helpful hints and handmade knickers for sale (Corrin has done a few CAE courses in her time).

Treat yourself to a do this week; it’s a too infrequent opportunity to be looked after and to chat.

So, it’s Easter this weekend. And for most of us that means four days off. And chocolate. But, like the sugar-high from eating chocolate eggs, rabbits, bilbies, anything as long as it’s chocolate, the post-holiday vim is over all too soon. The following Monday it’s business as usual and it feels like a year since you had a holiday.

Life coach Kate James says: ‘One reason for people losing their holiday mojo so quickly is because they undertake a holiday that doesn't fulfil them personally. People should consider destinations that offer interactive holiday experiences such as being outdoors and in wide open spaces.’

Another option is to make a holiday out of staying at home. Says James: ‘baton down the hatches. Don't see anyone, just do all the things that feel like they are restful for you.’ And why not send your friends postcards from home, visit tourist attractions that you’re curious about (say Eureka’s viewing platform, Young & Jackson’s) or take a train to a suburb you’ve never been to and explore. (Tip: if you’ve never been to Box Hill, it’s busting with great Asian eateries.)

Ever needed just 30 minutes to think something through, come up with that new idea or simply spend some time by yourself? Footscray Arts Centre is providing the time and space for you to do just that. Propped on the front lawn, the Art Unit is a portable structure made form cardboard, plywood, plastic and recycled goods. It was created by Artists in Residence Ben Cobham and Andrew Livingston, and is available for free, between 10am and 5pm til the end of March.
Bookings 9362 888; reception@footscrayarts.com.

It’s eel season. While their smoky eely goodness is available in Japanese restaurants year-round, the Wurundjeri traditionally recognised March as eel season. It’s about now that fat eels begin their spawning migration (so are more easily trapped).

Something of an enigma to Western science, much about eels remains unknown. We know they spend their lives in fresh water. And that somewhere between 10 and 20 years of age their bellies turn silver and their eyes widen – sure signs they’re about to embark on a 3000km migration to spawn. It’s thought they travel to somewhere between Samoa and the Coral Sea where they spawn, then die. The baby eels are then transported back to the estuaries on currents. During this year-long journey, their physiology changes: adapting from salt to fresh water, they eat for the first time and, importantly, become male or female.

Apart from on the plate, you can see eels in the Botanic Gardens and at Bunjilaka - where they are fed each day at noon. Or, exchange chocolate eggs for eel this Easter and take a tour with Budj Bim Tours (5527 1699) at Lake Condah in southeast Victoria, with eel tasting $25 per person or a full lunch for $60.