Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
Tagline goes here!
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • linkedin
  • instagram
Member's area Find a house
Menu
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Strategic direction
    • Our team
      • Staff
      • Board
    • Annual Report
    • Our history
    • Contact us
  • What we do
    • Advocacy
      • Submissions
      • Our campaigns
      • Campaigns we support
    • Research
      • Research publications
      • Connecting a Diverse Victoria Report
      • Annual survey
    • Information and advisory services
    • Professional development
    • Annual conference
    • Awards program
    • Projects
      • Climate Change and Environment Program
      • Carer Friendly
      • Safe Seats Safe Kids
      • Victoria Alive
      • Be Connected
  • Neighbourhood houses
    • About neighbourhood houses
      • What are they?
      • What are their benefits?
      • Key stats
    • Find a neighbourhood house
    • Sector principles
    • Networks
    • Job opportunities
  • Become a member
    • Why become a member?
    • Membership types
  • FAQs
  • News and events
    • News
    • COVID-19 information and resources
    • Neighbourhood House Week
    • Sector Luncheon celebrating Neighbourhood House Week
    • Galleries
    • In the media
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. What we do
  2. Projects

FAQs

Access to TAFE for learners with disability

Expand

In response to: Victorian Legislative Assembly Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s Inquiry into access to TAFE for learners with disability

Submitted: October 2020

Summary: NHVic contributed to this submission led by ACEVic. Adult and community education (ACE) plays a pivotal role in the pathway to success for many learners with disability. ACE prepares learners with disability to transition into TAFE – and further, to succeed in accredited training and gain employment. This submission seeks appropriate recognition of ACE and the necessary resources to strengthen partnerships and pathways between the public and community providers of adult education to support learners with a disability to thrive in education, work and life.

Published: 22nd December, 2020

Author: Petro Tsalikis

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Neighbourhood houses and disaster recovery

Expand

Year released: 2020

Summary: This research report was written by Laura Schieh during an internship with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria. Victoria’s neighbourhood houses, particularly those in rural and regional communities most often affected by natural disasters, often take on the work of community disaster response but do so with little structural support or adequate resourcing in the short-term response or the long-term recovery process.

This report analyses four scenarios:

  • Black Saturday 2009 (Kinglake Ranges Neighbourhood House)
  • St Patrick’s Day Fires in Corangamite Area 2018 (Camperdown Community House)
  • East Gippsland Fires 2019-20 (Buchan Neighbourhood House) 
  • Floods 2011 (Rochester Community House)

Published: 4th September, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

Author: Petro Tsalikis

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Portable Long Service Leave

Expand

In response to: Draft Long Service Leave Benefits Portability Interim Regulations

Submitted: June 2020

Summary: Whilst NHVic supports the concept of portable long service, it is opposed to the forced introduction of the Portable Long Service Benefits Scheme. Our members have expressed great concern about the increased operational and administrative costs, lack of coverage clarity, incompatibility with existing EBA arrangements and the complexity and duration of record keeping that the scheme places on small community-based organisations like neighbourhood houses. All in all, the cumulative impact of the PLSBS actually has the potential to jeopardise the ongoing employment of the very people that the scheme is purporting to help.

Download

Published: 19th August, 2020

Updated: 29th September, 2020

Author: Petro Tsalikis

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Skills for Victoria

Expand

In response to: Department of Education and Training's 'Skills for Victoria' Issues Paper

Submitted: June 2020

Summary: Our submission puts forward several recommendations including:

  • Advocate federally for a shift to a new VET system adopting and adapting key features of successful European economies, including the expansion of apprenticeships or traineeships.
  • Develop an integrated VET structure that articulates the role of Learn Local providers as a complementary provider of accredited and pre-accredited training.
  • Reform the funding mechanism to ensure the actual cost of high-quality delivery is covered with consideration of learner need, market size and provider scale.
  • Incentivise and resource collaboration between Learn Local providers and TAFEs

    Published: 13th July, 2020

    Updated: 28th September, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    How many neighbourhood houses are there in Victoria?

    Expand

    There are just over 400 neighbourhood houses across Victoria.

    • 52% of these are in metropolitan Melbourne
    • 13% are in regional/rural towns with populations greater than 10,000
    • 14% are in rural towns with populations between 3,000 to 10,000
    • 20% are in rural towns with populations less than 3,000

    Across Australia, there are over 1,000 neighbourhood houses - that's more than the number of McDonalds!

    Published: 29th May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Chief Executive Officer - Nicole Battle

    Expand

    Nicole became Chief Executive Officer of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria in May 2018. She is responsible for overseeing the overall strategic operations of Neighbourhood Houses Victoria and providing effective leadership for the sector. This includes ensuring a strong culture of governance and accountability, and advocating to government and other external stakeholders to ensure the sustainability of the neighbourhood house sector now and into the future.

    Nicole holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Victoria University, as well as a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Melbourne.

    She has over ten years experience working in local government, holding senior roles within Community Development, Youth Services, Emergency Management and Governance. She has also held a number of positions within the not-for-profit sector, as well as teaching politics and gender studies at Melbourne University.

    Nicole is passionate about social justice and is particularly interested in gender equality and Indigenous rights. She regularly attends classes at her local community centre, and has been a longtime supporter of neighbourhood houses and the important role that they play within local communities. As of 2019 she is the current President of the federal peak body, the Australian Neighbourhood House and Centres Association (ANHCA).

    Published: 27th May, 2020

    Updated: 22nd December, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Adequacy of Newstart and other welfare payments

    Expand

    In response to: Senate Inquiry

    Submitted: September 2019

    Summary: In partnership with our state counterparts, we submitted our calls for:

    • an immediate $75 per week income to the single rate of allowances including Newstart
    • an immediate 30% increase in Commonwealth Rent Assistance
    • the establishment of an independent expert panel to set future rates for pensions and allowances
    • the inclusion of a wage-based component in determining future indexation
    • the regular review of rates by the independent expert panel 
    • replacing Family Tax Benefit part B for single parents with a supplement that increases as children grow

    Published: 27th May, 2020

    Updated: 28th September, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    How many people visit a neighbourhood house?

    Expand

    Around 200,000 Victorians visit a neighbourhood house in an average week. Throughout a year, over 10 million visits occur across the state.

    Published: 26th May, 2020

    Updated: 22nd December, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    President - Angela Stathopoulos

    Angela is the Principal Executive Officer at Prahran Community Learning Centre.

    Expand

    Angela is the Principal Executive Officer at Prahran Community Learning Centre. She holds qualifications in Education and Training, TESOL, Student Welfare, Business Management and Styling Certification qualifications, and has a strong interest in accessible community education options for vulnerable people. She has over 20 years experience on various boards and committees, including her current role as the President of the Community House Network Southern Region.

    "I am an out of the box strategic thinker with excellent listening skills. I can challenge the status quo to the benefit of the organisation I am representing. I am always looking for better ways of doing things and I set the appropriate goals and can provide the right resources and direction to facilitate effective change. I believe I have the experience, skills and enthusiasm to effectively contribute to NHVic as it moves into the future."

    Published: 22nd May, 2020

    Updated: 21st January, 2021

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    What services do neighbourhood houses provide?

    Expand

    Every neighbourhood house is different and will provide different services and activities based on the needs of the community they are situated in.

    Some common services you may find at a neighbourhood house include:

    • Adult education (pre-accredited and accredited training)
    • Art and craft classes
    • Childcare
    • Community events
    • Community lunches / Social eating groups
    • Community gardens
    • Digital literacy training
    • Food banks
    • Government services such as Centrelink, Vic Roads
    • Job seeking support
    • Health and wellbeing activities such as exercise, walking groups, yoga and tai chi classes
    • Internet access
    • Library or book swap services
    • Maternal child health
    • Men's Sheds
    • Migrant support programs e.g. english classes
    • Playgroups
    • Room hire
    • Referrals 
    • Self help and support groups
    • Seniors' groups
    • Toy libraries
    • Visitor/tourist information
    • Volunteering opportunities
    • Youth programs

    Published: 22nd May, 2020

    Updated: 29th May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Chief Finance Officer - Cameron MacRae

    Expand

    Cameron is responsible for NHVic's financial performance, strategic partnerships, high-level project management, and supporting member's financial management capabilities through professional development and individualised support.

    Published: 20th May, 2020

    Updated: 22nd December, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    How do I volunteer at a neighbourhood house?

    Expand

    There are over 6,900 people who volunteer at neighbourhood houses across Victoria. Their duties could range from assisting with arts classes, to cooking meals, to office admin.

    If you're interested in getting involved in your local community, contact the neighbourhood houses in your area directly to find out if they have any volunteering opportunities available.

    Published: 19th May, 2020

    Updated: 22nd December, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Business Support Specialist - Victoria Larsson

    Expand

    Victoria is responsible for supporting the operational functions of the organisation.

    Published: 15th May, 2020

    Updated: 22nd December, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    How are neighbourhood houses funded?

    Expand

    The State Government's Department of Health and Human Services provides core funding to more than 95 per cent of Victoria’s neighbourhood houses through the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program.

    Other sources of income may include the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Local Government, Federal Government, grants, and funds generated by neighbourhood houses themselves (e.g. room hire fees).

    Published: 15th May, 2020

    Updated: 29th May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Communications Manager - Petro Tsalikis

    Expand

    Petro is responsible for NHVic's strategic communications and marketing, including our social media channels, website, weekly member e-bulletin and annual conference.

    Published: 13th May, 2020

    Updated: 30th October, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Do neighbourhood houses have paid staff or is it all volunteer based?

    Expand

    At the very least, each neighbourhood house employs a Manager/Coordinator who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the house. Depending on the size of the organisation, the paid workforce of a single neighbourhood house could vary from one to dozens!

    The neighbourhood house sector employs over 5,000 people across the state.

    Volunteers play a massive role however. Without them, many services and activities simply wouldn't occur.

    Published: 12th May, 2020

    Updated: 29th May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    How are neighbourhood houses governed?

    Expand

    The vast majority (86%) of neighbourhood houses are incorporated associations with a committee/board of governance.

    Otherwise:

    • 7% are council managed
    • 5% are auspiced by another organisation
    • 2% are cooperatives or companies limited by guarantee

    Published: 8th May, 2020

    Updated: 29th May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Social isolation and loneliness - a neighbourhood house perspective

    Expand

    Year released: 2020

    Summary: This report focuses on the human, social and economic costs of loneliness and social isolation, the risk factors and barriers to connection, and the impact neighborhood houses have on participants sense of belonging and connection.

    Published: 7th May, 2020

    Updated: 28th September, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Policy and Research Manager - David Perry

    Expand

    David is responsible for conducting research and data analysis within the sector and monitoring, analysing and communicating policy developments in areas that impact on neighbourhood houses such as adult community education, skills reform, childcare and mental health. 

    Published: 6th May, 2020

    Updated: 22nd December, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Digital literacy in neighbourhood houses

    Expand

    Year released: 2019

    Summary: The aim of this research, funded by Australia Post, was to gain a deeper understanding of the types of digital literacy offered in neighbourhood houses in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. It includes data relating to timing, costs, funding, target groups, barriers and more.

    Download - full report:

    Download - Victorian snapshot:

    Published: 5th May, 2020

    Updated: 28th September, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Does the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria have authority over individual neighbourhood houses?

    Expand

    The quick and simple answer is no. As a peak body, it is our job to support and promote best practice, provide informed advice and advocate on behalf of the sector, however each neighbourhood house is its own separate entity with its own autonomy.

    Published: 5th May, 2020

    Updated: 29th May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    The inclusion of people with disability in volunteering

    Expand

    Year released: 2019

    Summary: This literature review was conducted as part of the Victoria Alive project, and is intended to provide an overview of the current state of volunteering for people with disability primarily from an organisational point of view but also taking into account the experiences of people with disability.

    Published: 4th May, 2020

    Updated: 28th September, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Adult Community Education

    Our advocacy throughout 2018 and 2019 resulted in a Ministerial Summit and Ministerial Statement, strengthening the future of adult community education in Victoria

    Expand

    Neighbourhood houses account for two-thirds of all Learn Local providers and 49 are Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). They receive funding by the State Government to deliver subsidised training for Victoria’s most vulnerable learners to set them on the path to further education and employment opportunities.

    Our advocacy in this space is incredibly important to ensure the ongoing viability for current providers, as well as making it easier for more neighbourhood houses to provide this vital community service. 

    In 2018 we partnered other peak bodies ACEVic, Adult Learning Australia and Community Colleges Australia to develop a sector statement which addressed our concerns regarding the current and future state of the Adult Community Education (ACE) sector. We were very concerned at the number of closures of RTOs and a signficant drop in the number of Learn Local organisations providing pre-accredited training. Read the statement.

    The statement was submitted to the Minister of Training and Skills Gayle Tierney MP. As a result, the Minister announced her intention to host an ACE Ministerial Summitt. 

    On Wednesday 7 August 2019, our CEO Nicole Battle presented at the ACE Ministerial Summit. The summit was opened by the Minister of Training and Skills Gayle Tierney and brought together government and policy makers, industry peaks and providers, to discuss the issues impacting community education in Victoria.

    We put forward a series of recommendations, developed in partnership with ACEVic, Adult Learning Australia and Community Colleges Australia, and informed by a consultation process across the Learn Local sector (with responses from 143 providers, representing an impressive response rate of 79 percent). Read the recommendations.

    Leading up to the summit, Nicole went on her own community education roadshow to get a first hand, on-the-ground perspective of the issues impacting providers. Some of these visits were shared to social media:

    In November 2019, Minister Tierney launched a Ministerial Statement - the first of its kind in 15 years, outlining her priorities to elevate adult community education in Victoria. 

    Published: 4th May, 2020

    Updated: 31st May, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter

    Where are all the men?

    Expand

    Year released: 2019

    Summary: The report looks at men's participation within neighbourhood houses in Victoria. The aim of the research is to explore and understand how men currently engage with neighbourhood houses, identify potential barriers to participation, and to seek the views from neighbourhood house managers and staff on how to encourage men’s involvement in the sector. It was conducted by two Melbourne University students, Erin Tidswell and Yongyi Lin, on behalf of Sussex Neighbourhood House and in collaboration with Neighbourhood Houses Victoria.

    Published: 3rd May, 2020

    Updated: 28th September, 2020

    Author: Petro Tsalikis

    Share this page
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    Load more Back to top

    Showing 10 of 59

    Latest

    • Sector Luncheon celebrating Neighbourhood House Week

      Sector Luncheon celebrating Neighbourhood House Week

      Tickets are on sale for our Sector Luncheon in celebration of Neighbourhood House Week, the first chance to reunite as a sector in-person since COVID-19 restrictions hit Victoria.

    • Gendered violence - enough is enough

      Gendered violence - enough is enough

      Neighbourhood Houses Victoria joined 100,000 Australians at a ‘March 4 Justice’ rally to take a stand against abuse of women.

    • Federal MP praises neighbourhood houses

      Federal MP praises neighbourhood houses

      During an online forum, Andrew Leigh MP talked of the important role neighbourhood houses played in reducing inequalities through creating social connections.

    • Climate Change and Environment Program

      The aim of the program is to generate community conversations and greater local action on the issue of climate change.

    Most read

    • Food relief programs given much-needed boost

      Food relief programs given much-needed boost

      More than 25 neighbourhood houses will be able to expand their food relief services to ensure Victorians most in need have access to fresh, healthy food.

    • Virtual awards celebrate adult community education excellence

      Virtual awards celebrate adult community education excellence

      Eight neighbourhood houses are celebrating wins for the 2020 Learn Local Awards, which were presented as a virtual gala series.

    • Building up our new leaders

      Building up our new leaders

      30 recently appointed neighbourhood house coordinators have successfully completed the Mentoring2Management course, with registrations now open for 2021.

    • Find a neighbourhood house

    • Accessibility

    • Member satisfaction at all-time high

      Member satisfaction at all-time high

      The new Annual Report, launched at Neighbourhood Houses Victoria's very first virtual AGM, reveals pleasing results for the sector peak body.

    • What is a neighbourhood house?

      What is a neighbourhood house?

      Neighbourhood houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute to their local community.

    • Gendered violence - enough is enough

      Gendered violence - enough is enough

      Neighbourhood Houses Victoria joined 100,000 Australians at a ‘March 4 Justice’ rally to take a stand against abuse of women.

    • Job opportunities

      A list of current job vacancies at neighbourhood houses across Victoria.

    • The NHVic Awards

      The NHVic Awards

      Nominations for the 2021 NHVic Awards are open until Friday 16 April, celebrating the valuable work of our houses on a state-wide level.

    Join our mailing list

    Please enter your first name
    Please enter your last name
    Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

    Helpful links

    • Search
    • Sitemap
    • Accessibility
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Board Area

    Address

    Shop B41
    Level 4 744 Bourke Street
    Docklands VIC, 3008

    (03) 9602 1228
    [email protected]

    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • linkedin
    • instagram

    We appreciate the ongoing support of the Victorian State Government.

     
    Neighbourhood Houses Victoria acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands across Victoria. We pay our respects to their spirits, ancestors, elders and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members past, present and emerging.

    © 2021 Neighbourhood Houses Victoria Inc.