Question 1

We're running out of postcards - what can we do?

Accepted Answer

Make sure you get in touch with your Networker first. They make have spares on hand that can get to you quickly, or know of another Neighbourhood House nearby with a surplus.

If your Networker cannot connect you with extra postcards, email info@nhvic.org.au to request extra postcards.

While you wait for them to arrive, you could try printing some colour-in or design-your-own postcards, or you could encourage people to complete an e-postcard.

Question 2

We've arranged a meeting with our MP, but we're not sure how to prepare.

Accepted Answer

Great job!

First, make sure you've read the info sheets and guides in the Campaign Kit, particularly the Key Messages and Lobbying Guide. 
Practice telling someone you trust about the campaign, preferably someone outside of the sector so you get a better feel for the level of knowledge they'll come in with. 
Print materials to present them with. You should have received an electorate report from David Perry, and you can find the fact sheet here. Put them with your postcards ready to hand over. 
Ask if any of your participants would be willing to hand their postcards to the MP directly, or if not, select a few regulars and ask if you can tell the MP a bit about their story when you hand their card over. It is helpful to have that personal touch to really drive it home. 
Take lots of photos! Post on social media, tag us and Ros Spence MP. 
Remember - you are asking your local MP to deliver the postcards to Ros Spence MP. Unless Ros IS your local MP!

If you need any more assistance or would like some support on the day, please lodge it on the Impact Tracker and/or email info@nhvic.org.au and we will try to arrange to have one of us or your Networker attend.

Question 3

Which 200 Neighbourhood Houses will close?

Accepted Answer

This is a question asked a lot by the media in light of the campaign.

This number is taken from the fact that 46% of Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria have reported a loss two years in a row. This is a completely unsustainable position and will lead to closures if it is not rectified.

Neighbourhood Houses, their staff, and their volunteers are thrifty and passionate - our sector will fight tooth and nail to prevent this from happening. But there is only so long a sector can be sustained by staff who should be paid volunteering their time for free, hours and programs being reduced, and time spent applying for grants.

Neighbourhood Houses deserve better.

Question 4

The Government says they're already funding Neighbourhood Houses. How do I counter this comment?

Accepted Answer

The Victorian Government do fund our sector, and we are very grateful for the funding. However they are currently not providing enough funding to meet their own funding formula.

The funding received from the Victorian Government has fallen behind to the extent that they are no longer contributing any funding toward operational costs, which means that Neighbourhood Houses are struggling to keep the lights on.

Neighbourhood Houses are not receiving enough funding to meet their legal obligations, let alone community need.

That needs to change.

Question 5

I got a response from an MP saying Neighbourhood Houses already received additional funding in 2022. Is that true?

Accepted Answer

The “$6.6M in additional ongoing funding”, sometimes quoted as “$20M in additional funding since 2022”, was not additional funding. In 2022 a number of NHs were moved from annual funding to ongoing funding in response to demands from the sector. It was a welcome reclassification of existing funding, not additional or new funding.

The $2.5M in dedicated food relief funding is also welcome, but it meets just half of sector’s estimated food relief costs and doesn’t address the fundamental issue of core funding.

We are asking them to bring the funding in line with the government’s own position (80/20) and sufficient to meet our legal obligations outlined in the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP).

2026 Election Budget
Campaign Resources

Petition Resources

Frequently asked questions

We're running out of postcards - what can we do?

We've arranged a meeting with our MP, but we're not sure how to prepare.

Which 200 Neighbourhood Houses will close?

The Government says they're already funding Neighbourhood Houses. How do I counter this comment?

I got a response from an MP saying Neighbourhood Houses already received additional funding in 2022. Is that true?

2026 Election Budget Campaign Resources

Petition Resources

Frequently asked questions

We're running out of postcards - what can we do?

We've arranged a meeting with our MP, but we're not sure how to prepare.

Which 200 Neighbourhood Houses will close?

The Government says they're already funding Neighbourhood Houses. How do I counter this comment?

I got a response from an MP saying Neighbourhood Houses already received additional funding in 2022. Is that true?

2026 Election Budget
Campaign Resources