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  1. FAQs

FAQs

Finance Officer - Misa Le Vo

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Misa is responsible for finance-related administrative functions and providing support to the Chief Operating Officer.

Published: 10th May, 2020

Updated: 17th August, 2021

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Financial Inclusion Associate - Lee Kerr

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Lee is responsible for creating awareness through neighbourhood houses and assisting low-income community members in accessing Good Shepherd's No Interest Loans program.

Published: 10th May, 2020

Updated: 4th June, 2021

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First Nations Community Education Liaison - Kathryn Coff

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Kathryn is responsible for facilitating greater engagement between NHVic and Aboriginal-led neighbourhood houses, and for creating greater understanding across the sector on First Nations worldview, and how neighbourhood houses can make their operations more culturally inclusive.

Published: 9th May, 2020

Updated: 4th June, 2021

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How are neighbourhood houses governed?

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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

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Social isolation and loneliness - a neighbourhood house perspective

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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

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Policy and Research Manager - David Perry

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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

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Digital literacy in neighbourhood houses

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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

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

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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

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The inclusion of people with disability in volunteering

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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

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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

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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: 20th April, 2022

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Where are all the men?

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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

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Local government support for neighbourhood houses in Victoria

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Year released: 2016

Summary: The report looks into the scope and significant variations in the nature of the support and collaboration between local government and the neighbourhood house sectors, based on data provided by 377 Victorian neighbourhood houses. 

Published: 2nd May, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

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Community careers counselling

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Year released: 2015

Summary: What are the enablers of effective career guidance and learning choice for people with a disability? Which enablers are the most effective for educators? This report examines challenges and enablers and provides practical guidance for practitioners. This Adult and Community Further Education (ACFE) funded research was conducted as partnership between Neighbourhood Houses Victoria and the ACE DisAbility Network.  

Download - full report

Download - guidelines for adult educators

Published: 1st May, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

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How do I raise a concern or make a complaint?

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  • Members of the public who have a complaint about a neighbourhood house should use the organisation’s complaint process. Each neighbourhood house is required to have one of these which may be an online or a paper based form.
  • Members of the organisation who have a complaint about the governance should use the process outlined in the organisation’s constitution.
  • Employees who have a complaint about their manager/committee should use the process outlined in the relevant industrial award or agreement as per their employment contract.

Published: 1st May, 2020

Updated: 29th May, 2020

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We Deliver! Will You? - 2018 State Budget

This campaign secured an investment of $21.8 million in additional sector funding across four years.

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In November 2017 we launched the ‘We Deliver! Will You?’ campaign to ensure neighbourhood houses received priority funding in the final State Budget prior to the 2018 State Election.

A Campaign Manager, Tania Phillips, was contracted to produce and implement a strategic advocacy campaign. This included the distribution of 2,000 posters and 80,000 postcards across the sector for signing and delivering to local MPs, as well as a social media campaign.

A range of campaign resources were produced to assist the sector in supporting and promoting the campaign:

  • Campaign Overview
  • Key Messages
  • Background to our Key Messages
  • Election Campaign Postcards Information Sheet
  • Election Campaign Lobbying Guide
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • State Budget Submission

The famous postcard:

‘We Deliver! Will You?’ was a massive success in terms of mobilising the sector, and resulted in the State Government pledging $21.8 million across four years – the biggest investment in coordination hours by any Victorian Government.

Since announcing the pledge, the State Government has funded 189 houses to deliver at least 25 coordination hours per week, including the establishment of 16 brand new houses and funding for 11 previously unfunded houses.

See the following State Government media releases:

  • Supporting and expanding our neighbourhood houses (17 May 2018)
  • Delivering more neighbourhood houses across Victoria (12 October 2018)

Published: 1st May, 2020

Updated: 20th April, 2022

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Project Manager - Melinda Spiteri

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Melinda is responsible for the Safe Seats, Safe Kids program and other project management and business support functions.

Published: 22nd April, 2020

Updated: 22nd December, 2020

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Victoria's mental health system

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In response to: Royal Commission into Victoria's mental health system

Submitted: July 2019

Summary: As places where people with mental health issues participate equally alongside other community members in a range of activities and capacities over time, neighbourhood houses undoubtedly contribute to improved attitudes to people with mental illness.

Published: 22nd April, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

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Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan (2019–2023)

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In response to: Department of Health and Human Services' Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Draft Plan

Submitted: June 2019

Summary: While the plan’s priorities are targeted at a limited number of contributors to the Sate’s burden of disease; other factors, including social isolation, often contribute to adoption and maintenance of unhealthy lifestyle choices. Improving people’s self reported social connection, and sense of health and wellbeing are documented outcomes of the neighbourhood house program. The mobilisation of local community resources in response to local needs and contexts is a key strength of the neighbourhood house sector. Where local activity supports the broader plan goals, the activity should be actively supported.

Published: 15th April, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

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The social and economic benefits of improving mental health

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In response to: Productivity Commission Inquiry

Submitted: April 2019

Summary: The neighbourhood house sector in Victoria has a track record of achieving strong social inclusion outcomes but operates with significant capacity constraints. With 90 per cent of Victoria’s neighbourhood houses funded at less than full time with the majority funded for just 25 hours per week of coordination, there is significant potential to increase activities that strengthen mental health and wellbeing with relatively modest investment.  

Published: 9th April, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

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Future opportunities for adult learners in Victoria

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In response to: Department of Education and Training's 'Future Opportunities for Adult Learners in Victoria Pathways to Participation and Jobs' Discussion Paper 

Submitted: August 2018

Summary: Investing in outreach and engagement in the ACE sector is possibly the single most effective strategy that can lead to increased participation by learners with high needs and low language, literacy and numeracy. 

Published: 8th April, 2020

Updated: 28th September, 2020

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Wimmera West Grampians Neighbourhood House Network Collective

Local Government areas: Ararat, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, Yarriambiack

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Network Manager: Christine Zubrinich

Phone: 0488 913 001​

Email: [email protected]

Published: 1st March, 2020

Updated: 14th April, 2021

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Upper Murray Regional Neighbourhood House Network

Local Government areas: Alpine, Indigo, Moira, Towong, Wangaratta, Wodonga

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Network Manager: Trish Curtis

Phone: 0488 572 225

Email: [email protected]

Website Facebook 

Published: 27th February, 2020

Updated: 14th April, 2021

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South West Neighbourhood House Network

Local Government areas: Corangamite, Glenelg, Moyne, Southern Grampians, Warrnambool

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Network Manager: Debra King

Phone: (03) 5571 9780

Email: [email protected]

Published: 20th February, 2020

Updated: 14th April, 2021

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Regional Association of Neighbourhood and Community Houses

Local Government areas: Campaspe, Central Goldfields, Greater Bendigo, Loddon, Macedon Ranges, Mount Alexander

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Network Manager: Kristen Proud and Kevin Vivian

Phone: 0439 215 553

Email: [email protected]

Website

Published: 13th February, 2020

Updated: 14th April, 2021

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Showing 10 of 61

Latest

  • Premier Dan Andrews announces cost of living package at Neighbourhood House

    Premier Dan Andrews announces cost of living package at Neighbourhood House

    The Premier fronted media at Caulfield South Community House to announce a $250 funding package to help ease cost of living pressures for Victorian households.

  • Building understanding of the law in local communities

    Building understanding of the law in local communities

    Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has partnered with the Victorian Law Foundation to oversee a string of events happening across the state during Victorian Law Week, with the aim to improve community understanding and access to local legal services.

  • National sector lays out its Federal election priorities

    National sector lays out its Federal election priorities

    For the upcoming Federal election, climate change is the leading issue for people who participate, work or volunteer at Neighbourhood Houses across Australia, according to a recent poll.

  • Victorian Skills Plan

Most read

  • Job opportunities

    Job opportunities

    Interested to work in the sector? See a list of current job vacancies at Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria.

  • Find a Neighbourhood House

  • COVID-19 information and resources

    COVID-19 information and resources

    We are committed to supporting our members in responding to the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19).

  • Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program

    Power Saving Bonus Outreach Program

    Find out how you can access the State Government's $250 Power Saving Bonus at a neighbourhood house.

  • Industrial relations

    Industrial relations

    Includes agreements and awards, paytables and long service leave.

  • What is a Neighbourhood House?

    What is a Neighbourhood House?

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

  • Member's area

  • List of neighbourhood houses via Local Government area

  • Who we are

    Who we are

    As the peak body for the neighbourhood house sector, we represent a membership of close to 400 community-based organisations across Victoria.

  • Good Shepherd's No Interest Loans

    Good Shepherd's No Interest Loans

    We are helping people on low incomes access safe, fair, affordable credit with no fees and charges applied, for essential goods and services.

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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.

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