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Maree Murphy, manager at Chiltern Neighbourhood House

UPPER MURRAY REGIONAL NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE NETWORK

Karen Ramsay, manager of Bandiana Neighbourhood House and Baranduda Community Centre, sews with community members

OUR  PURPOSE

Our Network exists to empower, support and enable our members to be outstanding and impactful community development leaders in their communities.

We do this in a range of ways, including direct operational and governance support, network-wide projects and advocacy.

HOW WE WORK WITH OUR MEMBERS

Quercus Beechworth community garden
Yackandandah Community Centre - community garden participants
Mt Beauty Neighbourhood Centre cafe

SUPPORT

We work with managers and committees to provide governance and operational orientation, support and training.

ADVOCACY

We raise awareness of neighbourhood houses as key community assets.

PROJECTS

We seek opportunities for network-wide projects that increase the impact of our members.

Neighbourhood houses in Upper Murray provide outstanding community value.

The community value of the work of our neighbourhood houses in 2022 is over $18M. This equates to:

  • $3.26 for every $1 of income generated;

  • $12.19 for every $1 of Neighbourhood House Coordination Program funding; and

  • $485.68 for every hour the average neighbourhood house is in use

Volunteers at neighbourhood houses across Upper Murray share their thoughts about why they love volunteering

Hear from some of the many volunteers that support the community through their neighbourhood house.

LATEST NEWS

Grant Garden launch in Wodonga

The Food Security Grant Garden Launch in Wodonga brought together five Neighbourhood Houses to kickstart the 2025 Food Relief Grant Pilot project, aiming to address food security concerns through shared kitchens, gardens, and pantries.

Hosted at Trudewind Road Neighbourhood House, the event highlighted community collaboration, participation, and empowerment, with emphasis on the importance of placing people and place at the center of the initiative.
An exciting step toward addressing food relief needs in Wodonga and surroundsThe Garden Grant Launch at Trudewind Rd Neighbourhood House saw friends and supporters of all five Neighbourhood Houses in Wodonga gather for a morning tea in the garden to launch the 2025 Food Relief Grant Pilot project for the Wodonga Neighbourhood Houses Food Security Co-op.

The last few years have seen an increase in food relief access from Birallee Park Neighbourhood House with a clear need to increase the service provision in the area. The opening of the Food Relief grant was timely and opened the opportunity to broaden the food relief service and build on partnerships with other houses in the area.

The model of the project will enhance collaboration between the houses leveraging each house's strengths to build a stronger and more sustainable food system for our city. “We will be uniting around shared kitchens, gardens and pantries and putting people and place at the center of our response”. – says Birallee Park Neighbourhood House Manager, Edwina Bugge.

The project itself incorporates core community development principles; community participation, ownership, empowerment, access and equity, life-long learning, inclusion, networking, advocacy, self-help, and social action.

The morning tea was the first step to promote the project, and engage with the local community and recruite volunteers, and to ensure community are a part of the journey. As the project is in the developing stages further partnerships will develop, but the current project is being delivered as a collaboration with the five local houses: Birallee Park Neighbourhood House, Felltimber Community Centre, Trudewind Road Neighbourhood House, Baranduda Community Centre, & Bandiana Neighbourhood House.

The Food Security Grant Garden Launch in Wodonga brought together five Neighbourhood Houses to kickstart the 2025 Food Relief Grant Pilot project, aiming to address food security concerns through shared kitchens, gardens, and pantries.

Hosted at Trudewind Road Neighbourhood House, the event highlighted community collaboration, participation, and empowerment, with emphasis on the importance of placing people and place at the center of the initiative.

Bandi House Blacksmiths!

Bandiana Neighbourhood House has introduced a unique Blacksmithing program aimed at defence families to foster connection and personal growth. Facilitated by The Cuppacumbalong Foundation and Tharwa Valley Forge's mobile 'Big Black Truck,' the workshops teach participants how to create campfire tools and knives while providing a bonding experience for families.  "We've seen the therapeutic benefits of this program, particularly for men," said Bandi House Manager Karen Ramsay.
Bandiana Neighbourhood House brings a unique program to build skills and community.

Bandiana Neighbourhood House has introduced a unique Blacksmithing program aimed at defence families to foster connection and personal growth. Facilitated by The Cuppacumbalong Foundation and Tharwa Valley Forge's mobile 'Big Black Truck,' the workshops teach participants how to create campfire tools and knives while providing a bonding experience for families.  "We've seen the therapeutic benefits of this program, particularly for men," said Bandi House Manager Karen Ramsay.

Informing and empowering the Wangaratta community

Open Door Neighbourhood House has played a key role in updating Wangaratta’s community directory, in partnership with the Rural City of Wangaratta and the Grit & Resilience Program.

“Open Door was the perfect partner, with strong community links and expertise in social prescribing,” said a Grit & Resilience spokesperson.
Relevant, engaged and effective information drives community connection in Wangaratta

Open Door Neighbourhood House has played a key role in updating Wangaratta’s community directory, in partnership with the Rural City of Wangaratta and the Grit & Resilience Program.

“Open Door was the perfect partner, with strong community links and expertise in social prescribing,” said a Grit & Resilience spokesperson.

NETWORK  EVENTS

  • Chair Forum
    Chair Forum
    Wed, 30 July
    Virtual event
    30 July 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Virtual event
    Join fellow Neighbourhood House Chairs every six weeks to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and build valuable local networks. A great opportunity to gain support and strengthen your role!
  • Chair Forum
    Chair Forum
    Thu, 11 Sept
    Virtual event
    11 Sept 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Virtual event
    Join fellow Neighbourhood House Chairs every six weeks to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and build valuable local networks. A great opportunity to gain support and strengthen your role!
  • Chair Forum
    Chair Forum
    Wed, 22 Oct
    Virtual event
    22 Oct 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Virtual event
    Join fellow Neighbourhood House Chairs every six weeks to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and build valuable local networks. A great opportunity to gain support and strengthen your role!
  • Chair Forum
    Chair Forum
    Thu, 04 Dec
    Virtual event
    04 Dec 2025, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
    Virtual event
    Join fellow Neighbourhood House Chairs every six weeks to exchange ideas, discuss challenges, and build valuable local networks. A great opportunity to gain support and strengthen your role!

FIND YOUR LOCAL NEIGHBOURHOOD HOUSE

GET IN TOUCH

628 Upper Ryans Creek Rd, Upper Ryans Creek VIC 3673, Australia

0488 572225

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