June 2004

$80,000 boost for Victoria’s Neighbourhood Houses

The Government will provide an extra $80,000 to support Victoria’s Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres.

Community Services Minister Sherryl Garbutt said the state’s 16 Neighbourhood House Networks would each receive a $5,000 grant to deliver a support package for their member houses that might include workshops, training and strategic planning assistance.

‘Neighbourhood Houses play an integral role in local communities by delivering a range of essential services and encouraging people to get involved in community life.

‘These one-off grants to Neighbourhood House Networks will help boost staff management and governance skills and strengthen the quality of programs delivered in Neighbourhood Houses.’

Services and programs provided by Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres include personal development workshops, craft courses, English courses for migrants, job preparation training, childcare and parenting skills courses.

There are 339 Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres in Victoria and each is a member of a Neighbourhood House Network.

The Neighbourhood House Networks support and coordinate services and programs delivered by Neighbourhood Houses within a particular region.

The 16 Networks are located in Geelong, Hamilton, Chirnside Park, Mt Waverly, Moe, Bairnsdale, Ballarat, Stawell, Tatura, Wodonga, Wycheproof, Bendigo, Watsonia, Somerton, Deer Park and Frankston.

Ms Garbutt said the $80,000 one-off funding boost for Neighbourhood Houses is in addition to their annual funding from the Government.

‘Since 1999, the Government has boosted funding to Neighbourhood Houses by more than 56.5 per cent to a total of $9.5 million annually,’ Ms Garbutt said.

‘This includes an extra $6 million over four years from 1999/2000 to fund an additional 76 Neighbourhood Houses and increase support for funded houses.’

Ms Garbutt said the Government recognised the important role of Neighbourhood Houses in local communities.

Staff and volunteers who operate Neighbourhood Houses are the unsung heroes of the community, Ms Garbutt said.

‘They work tirelessly to deliver services to people in need and provide a friendly, welcoming hand to any one who seeks their assistance.’