Network West

Network West is a network for the 46 neighbourhood houses and community centres in the western metropolitan region of Melbourne.

Network West aims to strengthen communities by building networks between neighbourhood houses and community centres, communities, business, and government in the west.

The Network is funded for just over 30 hours per week by the Department of Planning & Community Development.

The Network is an incorporated association with a committee of management made up of member houses from a range of areas within the network.

For Contact Details of the Neighbourhood Houses please see the directory

or download the list below.

What is a Neighbourhood house?

Neighbourhood Houses are known by many different names including:

• Community Houses
• Living and Learning Centres
• Neighbourhood Centres
• Learning Centres
• Community Centres

Whatever the name these places are local organisations that provide social, educational and recreational activities for their communities in a welcoming, supportive environment. Neighbourhood houses are usually managed by volunteer committees and paid staff. They offer many opportunities for participation in all aspects of the house activities and management.

Good quality affordable childcare and playgroups are offered at most houses.

Activities are usually run at cost price and often include:

• English as a second language
• Learning and skills development for people with disabilities
• Art classes and drop in activities
• Gentle exercise for older people
• Yoga
• Men’s (and women's) health and well-being
• Singing
• Gardening
• Computers: from Introduction to computers to web design Internet and email access
• Car mechanics and other technical and living skills
• Social groups such as book clubs, and scrabble groups
• One off arts, issues based or fun community events throughout the year
• And much more!!

There are 46 houses in the Network.

Most houses are in receipt of funding from the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program administered by the Department of Planning & Community Development.

All Houses receive support from local government, either through direct funding or through in – kind activities and the provision of property.

Grants from a myriad funding organisations, including the philanthropic sector, make a significant contribution to the vital community development work of the houses.

Network West Committee of Management

Networks are primarily governed by their member houses. Network West elects a committee at our AGM every year.

We try to have a representative spread from across the centre types and the region.

The Committee meets every six weeks and is made up of representatives from the network of neighbourhood houses and community centres. See the map

The Committee offers a governance role to the network and sets strategy and direction.

Neighbourhood House Networks

Network West (NW) is the second largest of the 16 regional networks of neighbourhood houses funded under the Victorian Government’s Neighbourhood Houses Coordination Program (NHCP).  For more information on the department that funds us and the NHCP program go to: http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/neighbourhoodhouses

Victoria is divided up in to 16 different regions, there are all covered by networks like us. We work closest with: NorthWest, NorthEast and Barwon - see the ANHLC website for more info.