Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres

Consistent with the instructions of the Prime Minister and Premier, all Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres have closed for most programs and services.

Several centres are still operating essential services such as occasional care for children. Contact your individual centre for more details.

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Neighbourhood Houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute in their local community through social, educational and recreational activities.

What do Neighbourhood and Community Houses do?

Provide affordable adult learning opportunities in a supportive, friendly environment
Offer a broad range of activities to suit all ages - we know you will find something to suit you
Work in ways to assist people to gain more confidence, personal growth and support in everyday life
Work together to help make our community stronger and a better place to live
Promote a sense of belonging, equity, access and community participation for everyone
Provide a range of opportunities for local people to contribute time and skills in the house in a voluntary capacity

There are ten Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres in Whitehorse

Avenue Neighbourhood House @ Eley

87 Eley Road, Blackburn South VIC 3130
Melway ref: 61 H5
Telephone: 9808 2000
Fax: 9808 2453
Email: info@theavenue.org.au
Website: The Avenue

Avenue Neighbourhood House @ Eley offers a wide range of activities and programs. It is a welcoming community organisation that encourages community participation and personal development that leads to building stronger and more connected communities.

Programs and services include:

Art and craft classes – crotchet and knitting, sewing, art groups, sculpture, sketching
Childcare – occasional care, early learning and pre-kinder group
Computer classes
Further education classes – Certificates in General Education for Adults (CGEA), literacy improvement classes, classes for people with intellectual disabilities
Games – canasta, Scrabble and mah-jong
Health and exercise – yoga, line dancing, Pilates, keep fit, strength training, meditation
Languages and writing – writers' groups, poetry group, ESL (English as a Secondary Language)
Social groups – singalong
Training café – open every Friday during school terms

Bennettswood Neighbourhood House

7 Greenwood Street, Burwood VIC 3125
Melway ref: 61 E6
Telephone: 9888 0234
Email: info@bennettswoodnh.org.au
Website: Bennettswood Neighbourhood House

Bennettswood Neighbourhood House offers a welcoming and inclusive environment for all ages. The House provides educational and social activities in arts and music, health and wellbeing, support groups and a meeting place for the community.

Activities and services include:

Art & Craft - Community Craft, Painting & Drawing, Sewing & Dressmaking, Felting, Teddy Bear making (machine sew), Balloonology
Asian Cooking
Community Lunch (Fridays)
Health & Wellbeing - Gentle Exercise, Strength Training, Tai Chi
Music & Dance - Singing & Ukulele groups (day & evening), Harp group, Guitar, music jam sessions, English Country Dancing
Social activities - Mahjong, Abbey Girls Book Group, Street Library
Support groups - Umbrella Dementia Cafe
Technology - computers, phones or tablets, internet (one-on-one tuition)
Venue hire - community groups and activities e.g. children's birthday parties, Indian dancing, Belly dancing, robotics, community language groups

Box Hill South Neighbourhood House

47 Kitchener Street, Box Hill South VIC 3128
Telephone: 9898 8270
Fax: 9897 1893
Email: bhsnh@netspace.net.au
Website: Box Hill South Neighbourhood House

Box Hill South Neighbourhood House is committed to providing a friendly environment where people can come to develop their interests and skills, form new friendships and participate in their local community. Classes and activities are held during the day, evening and weekends.

Programs and services include:

Painting, artist, drawing and craft groups
Individual computer classes
Workshops such as 'How to buy and sell on eBay', digital cameras, mobile phones and personal development classes
Community lunches
English as a second language and Spanish language classes
Childcare and three-year-old kinder groups
Friday playgroup, mums and babies groups, German playgroup and Japanese children's activities group
Interest groups such as cards, writing, gardening and book club
Health and wellbeing classes including belly dancing, exercising with weights, yoga, slow walkers group and pilates
Room hire

Burwood Neighbourhood House

1 Church Street, Burwood VIC 3125
Melway ref: 60 H6
Telephone: 9808 6292
Fax: 9888 9294
Email: burwoodn@bigpond.net.au
Website: Burwood Neighbourhood House

Burwood Neighbourhood House is situated on the borders of three municipalities – Whitehorse, Boroondara and Monash – and offers friendship, learning, socialising, encouragement and support for all ages. The house’s large backyard, cubby, bike track and play equipment are a drawcard for playgroups.

Programs and services include:

Computer classes - beginners, Excel, MYOB/Quickbooks, internet training
Mother's groups, playgroups, Japanese playgroup
International Country Adoption Playgroup
Discussion groups – book club, lunches with guest speakers
Health and wellbeing – meditation, pilates, strength training, tai chi, yoga, gentle exercise
Interest groups – Scrabble, Burwood Girls 40s group
Support groups – lone parents, weight loss group
Workshops – digital cameras, eBay, mobile phone training
Community groups – Boroondara Toastmasters, Burwood Bulletin, community bus trips and monthly community roast lunches
Room hire for groups and children's parties

Clota Cottage

31 Clota Avenue, Box Hill 3128
Melway ref: 47 F9
Telephone: 9899 0062
Fax: 9897 1753
Email: manager@clotacottage.org.au
Website: Clota Cottage

Clota Cottage offers educational, recreational and social support opportunities to all members of the community. Established in 1987, Clota Cottage is governed by a voluntary committee of management made up of local residents and interested people.

Clota Cottage is committed to the community development principles of community ownership and participation, empowerment, access and equity, inclusion, networking, advocacy, self help, social action and life-long learning.

Programs and services include:

Short workshops (such as aromatherapy and craft)
Computer classes taught in Chinese and English
Internet access
English as a second language (three levels)
Playgroups including Dutch and mothers' groups
Occasional childcare
Home and Community Care (HACC) funded social support program including tai chi, gentle exercise, strength training, card and board games, monthly movies, day and overnight trips
Community groups
Room hire
Intro to computers and digital technology
Pattern making and basic sewing
Community garden
Beginners tai chi
Pilates
Sketching
Spanish for beginners

Kerrimuir Neighbourhood House

57 Linda Avenue, Box Hill North VIC 3129
Melway ref: 47 E5
Telephone: 9899 7660
Email: info@kerrimuirhouse.org.au
Website: Kerrimuir House

Kerrimuir Neighbourhood House is a place in the neighbourhood where men, women and children can meet, learn something new and share their skills. The house aims to provide a caring and friendly environment where the social, learning and other needs of the local community can be met in a flexible and affordable way.

Programs and services include:

Adult education
Art and craft classes
Computer and iPad classes
Discussions groups – book club, light lunches and more
Exercise classes
Health and wellbeing
Over 50s classes
Social groups - community lunches and outings
Support/disability groups
Room rental and party hire

Koonung Cottage

109 Koonung Road, Blackburn North VIC 3130
Melway ref: 48 K6
Telephone: 9878 6632
Email: info@koonungcottage.org.au
Website: Koonung Cottage

Koonung Cottage offers educational programs, health and wellbeing activities, support groups, childcare, children’s programs and a meeting place for community groups. Its inclusive environment welcomes people from all walks of life who come along to participate, feel a sense of belonging and to create a strong local community.

Programs and services include:

Art and craft classes – craft, spinning, sewing, embroidery, oil and acrylic painting, sketching, watercolours
Childcare, playgroups, grandparents playgroup, school holiday programs
Discussion groups – daytime and evening book clubs
Health and wellbeing – exercise to music 40+, Zumba gold, strength training, yoga, meditation
Hobby groups – patchwork, woodturning, mahjong
Interest groups – Koonung Woodturners Guild
Support groups – Alcoholics Anonymous, Umbrella Dementia Cafe
Technology – Smart Phone, iPad and tablet classes workshops
Workshops – various workshops to try something new
Community groups
Room hire

Louise Multicultural Community Centre

Suite 8, Town Hall Hub
27 Bank Street VIC 3128
Melways ref: 47 D9
Telephone: 9285 4850
Fax: 9285 4853
Email: louisemcc@aanet.com.au
Website: Louise

Louise Multicultural Community Centre is named after Saint Louise de Marillac, a Frenchwoman who worked with St Vincent de Paul providing aid and comfort to refugees in the 16th century in Paris.

Participants come from more than 20 different countries. The centre’s vision is to help and support migrants and refugees living in Melbourne by promoting cross-cultural communication through English teaching and other social activities.

Programs and activities include:

English classes – beginners, intermediate and advanced
Mandarin classes – beginners and intermediate
Computer classes – basic and intermediate
New Arrivals Multicultural Friendship Group
Jasmine Dance Group
Children's dance group
Opera singing groups
Healthy cooking club
Emerging Professionals – Australian culture office training

Mitcham Community House

19 Brunswick Road, Mitcham VIC 3132
Melway ref: 48 K9
Telephone: 9873 4587
Email: info@mitchamcommunityhouse.org
Website: Mitcham Community House

Approximately 1400 adults and children attend activities at the Mitcham Community House each week. The house aims to enhance the local community by offering quality affordable opportunities for learning, support, social interaction and personal growth in a warm and friendly environment. Activities are many, affordable and open to all members of the community. The office is open 9.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday during school terms. Activities are held during the day, evenings and some weekends.

Programs and activities include:

Art and craft
Health and wellbeing
Personal development
Fitness and recreation
Cooking and community luncheons
Computers
Children's activities, playgroups, three-year-old group and childcare
Auslan sign language
English as a second language
Volunteering opportunities at the house including: office, childcare, committee, fundraising, English as a second language support, gardening and more

Vermont South Learning Centre

1 Karobran Drive, Vermont South VIC 3133
Melway ref: 62 G7
Telephone: 9803 2335
Email: info@vslc.org.au
Website: VSCH

Vermont South Learning Centre offers a wide range of affordable, quality educational, recreational and social programs for people of all ages and from all walks of life.

Classes are held during the day, after school, and on evenings. Classes are held in a friendly and welcoming environment and the house has its own fully equipped computer room. It also provides childcare in the morning, Monday to Friday during the school term. The house produces – Vermont South Community House Course and Activities Guides per term and an annual Newsletter – that is distributed by volunteers to the 4000 homes in Vermont South. The Vermont South Community House has rooms available for hire. The Function Room is available for hire for meetings, family gatherings, parties, educational programs, conferences, and most events (with an exception of 18th and 21st Birthday parties). Vermont South Community House has commenced a Social Enterprise with the installation of a commercial kitchen and opening of ‘The Café House’, providing hospitality training and a café service Monday – Friday 9.00am-2.00pm during school terms.

Programs include:

Art and Craft courses – Art, Calligraphy, Chinese Brush Painting, Drawing and Painting, Mosaics, Patchwork & Applique, Sketching, Water Colour Painting
Childcare / Occasional Care (Monday, Wednesday and Fridays 9am-12pm) & Pre Kinder Programs (Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.15am-2.15pm)
Children's Courses and Activities – Creative Art for 8-12 years, Creative Writing for 8-12 years, Greek Playgroup, Guitar, Japanese Youchien, Mastery Club Program for Teens, Mini Maestros, Painting, Toy Library
Computer courses including accredited training
Funded courses including information technology classes such as Advanced Computers, Excel, Introduction to Computers, Intermediate Computers, iPads, MYOB, Office Administration, Social Networking, Web Design; vocational classes such as Interior Decorating, Massage and Relaxation, Photography; and English as a Second Language classes
General Interest courses including Android Smart Phones, Basic Indian Cooking, Buying and Selling Online Using Ebay/Gumtree, Facebook, French, Guitar for Adults, iPhones
Health, Fitness and Wellbeing courses including Aromatherapy, Meditation, Pilates, Strength Training, Weight Loss Challenge, Weight Watchers, Yoga & Relaxation, Yoga Mamma Prenatal Yoga classes
Social groups including book club, communications group, knitting group

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Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres

What do Neighbourhood and Community Houses do?

There are ten Neighbourhood Houses and Community Centres in Whitehorse