Shima is the Principal Executive Officer at Prahran Place. Tell us about your experience in the sector? From 2014 to 2021, I was Manager of Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre - I very much enjoyed helping to lift its profile and steer the organisation towards more of a community building focus with greater community engagement. As well as running the usual courses and activities, we also auspiced an annual music festival, supported a historical society, ran the annual Surrey Hills ANZAC Dawn Service, and auspiced a charity called You Matter until it could run independently. I helped establish a partnership with the Asylum Seekers Resource Centre so there was a Foodbank drop off point in the eastern suburbs. During COVID I really enjoyed working with volunteers to establish a community care program and a mask making initiative called the Make And Spead Kindness Collective. From 2018 to 2021, I was also President of Network of Inner East Community Houses - As President I really enjoyed supporting and learning about other neighbourhood houses in Monash, Whitehorse and Boroondara. In 2021, I took on a Project Coordinator role with Alamein Neighbourhood and Learning Centre, coordinating a project that focused on residents living on five public housing estates in Whitehorse, Monash and Boroondara, and in 2022, I became the Principal Executive Officer at Prahran Place. What makes being part of the Neighbourhood House sector so special? We are such a diverse sector and the services and types of support we offer across the board is incredible! We are also very nimble and responsive so with our expertise in knowing how to work with community, we get things up and running very quickly and effectively. Our open door policy means we find ways to welcome and support people who find it hard to navigate other types of funded services. I also love the types of people who are attracted into our sector, many of whom are incredibly talented and have transitioned from other careers. What do you hope to achieve in your time on the NHVic Board? I hope to accurately represent the interests of many Neighbourhood Houses in Board discussions so that the decisions and the strategic direction we take will resonate and will be of real support to members. I also want to ensure the staff at NHVic feel validated and appreciated - they work so hard and the change of the organisation in the past few years has been so positive and impactful. I would like to contribute as a reasonable, constructive and hardworking board member. What passions or interests take up your spare time? I have so many! I am a developing ceramicist - you can look at my work on Instagram. It's becoming a bit of an obsession! I also write professionally but also have that 'novel' waiting to come out. I play tennis and have been accused of having a bit of white line fever. I also have three gorgeous kids aged from 20 to 14. And cooking - I love cooking (and eating). Tell us a quote that inspires the work you do? Maybe my old school had more of an influence than I realised! Its motto was 'Non nobis sed omnibus': 'Not for one but for all.' I've found the most rewarding aspects of my work has been in experiencing the collective power to achieve - through collaboration, partnerships, by listening to others, by trusting other people's skills and abilities, and by being open to ideas and opportunities around us.

Vicki is the Executive Officer at Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre. Tell us about your experience in the sector? I have worked with local Neighbourhood House managers for 15 years so was happy to take on the Chair’s role for the Committee of Management at Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre when approached in early 2017. At the time the committee rarely achieved a quorum, committee papers were poorly constructed with a focus on operational issues, and there was limited time for strategic discussion at meetings. It took 18 months to achieve but we now have a skills-based and strategic-focused committee of business leaders who rarely miss meetings. They are also committed to growing and supporting not only Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre, but two other neighbourhood houses under a joint committee agreement. This unique structure created an opportunity for us in 2019 to apply and successfully receive coordination funding to establish a new house in Ballarat East. This house was established from scratch, and we continue to work together to grow and develop this new house. I stepped down as Chair to take on the acting manager role and after a four month recruitment process, was appointed as the Executive Officer in early 2018. My background is in business and technology, working across the private and public sectors in manufacturing, retail and technology industries. Many of my positions included change management and staff training so I am familiar with the requirements for training adults. I bring to my position, and the sector, experience in business, marketing and brand development, HR and accounting, skills which are not widely found in the sector. What makes being part of the Neighbourhood House sector so special? I love working in a sector full of passionate and caring people who go out of their way every day to make a positive difference in someone’s life. How as a team we can pull limited resources to provide support to some of the most disadvantaged members of our communities is fantastic, but most of all, it is the reaction from community members when you help them – the smiles and gratitude they give you is extremely rewarding and the best part of this sector. What do you hope to achieve in your time on the NHVic Board? To bring my board experience and business skills to the Board and the sector. I have been involved with boards and committees since 2009 when I completed my MBA. Over the years, I have built a network of contacts who believe in the importance of helping small community groups and NFP organisations raise their governance levels and practices. During my time on the board, I would like to see NHVic become more involved with promoting the work of neighbourhood houses to other government departments and business networks. There are so many opportunities to expand our funding from different sources which would help offset the costs and expand the services we already offer. What passions or interests take up your spare time? I like to read, visit art galleries, play scrabble and have coffee with friends. I have always been family focused, making time to stay connected with my extended family and friends whenever possible. In recent years, this is more important to me as I continue to take time to support my aging parents and am 'Crazy Granny' to two small grandchildren who seem to take up a great deal of my spare time. Tell us a quote that inspires the work you do? “Instead of thinking out the box, get rid of the box.” – Deepak Chopra

David was a long time a West Footscray Neighbourhood House committee member, serving as Treasurer and Vice Chair. He specialises in risk management and compliance. “I look forward to bringing my experience with risk management and insurance to the NHVic Board.”

Jan is the Manager of Mooroopna Education and Activity Centre. Tell us about your experience in the sector? I have worked for four years at Mooroopna Education and Education Centre (MEAC), Mooroopna’s own Neighbourhood House. I love the sector and what we can do for our community. The vibe here at MEAC is very warm and welcoming and we are working really hard to engage and work with our community in a positive, proactive, reactive, respectful, collaborative and engaged way. I have worked in community all my professional life and it is part of my DNA. What makes being part of the Neighbourhood House sector so special? The variation, joy and making a difference, that my job brings me every day is what makes this sector so special. What do you hope to achieve in your time on the NHVic Board? Greater understanding of the sector and having input into the governance. What passions or interests take up your spare time? I am a dynamic figure who can (in my mind) leap tall buildings in a single bound. I can pilot my (e) bike up severe inclines with unflagging vigour and speed and still appear flustered and fazed. I can cook two-minute noodles in 1.5 minutes. I can hurl slurs and filthy looks with deadly accuracy. I can have conversations where I not only say the right thing at the right time, but I can leave unsaid the wrong thing at a tempting moment. I have found that brain cells come and go but fat cells last forever. I am a deft hand at folding laundry. I have domestic goddess like style when doing housework. I can cleverly stitch people up. I can magically weave around uncomfortable issues. OOPs I didn’t answer the question! I love all my family; friends and I am an active community member that loves getting involved in all thing’s community. I have travelled extensively, and I have even visited a Community House in Lisbon Portugal where I worked with locals to feed over 1500 people (awesome). I love reading and bike riding and I can now combine the two with my connectivity head phones where I listen to books ( and still hear traffic) and ride my bike. My greatest passion at present is being a ‘glam mar’ to my two-year-old grandson Ryder Richards what pure joy are grandchildren. Tell us a quote that inspires the work you do? "Be stronger than your excuses."

John is the Centre Coordinator at Maldon Neighbourhood Centre. Tell us about your experience in the sector? I have worked for 20 years in the Community Development / Community Arts field and have gained tremendous knowledge in working with local communities in Collingwood, Richmond, Meadow Heights, Footscray, Newport, Brunswick, Cairnlea, Deer Park, Sydenham & most recently Maldon. This has included managing two community art galleries, leading local festivals, leading music and art programs, supporting Work for the Dole programs and engaging individuals, groups, agencies in community projects. What makes being part of the Neighbourhood House sector so special? I have a passion for communities and appreciate the importance of supporting the Houses as they are the ‘frontline’ of our organization, where goodwill and support are part and parcel of who they are and their amazing achievements. What do you hope to achieve in your time on the NHVic Board? To bring the voice of regional Victoria Neighbourhood Houses to the NHVic Board. I also bring experience of suburban Neighbourhood Houses, both community and council run. What passions or interests take up your spare time? Playing music with likeminded folk in my community. My chickens also are a great joy in my life. Tell us a quote that inspires the work you do? “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” Dr. Seuss

Linda has previously been on the board of Lancefield Neighbourhood House.