Stawell Neighbourhood House has been operating out of the Powerhouse since 2000 after forming in 1985 in a little red house at 40 Church St. There have been a number of coordinators over the last 35 years, each bringing enthusiasm, dedication and skills, culminating in 2020 in a vibrant meeting place for everyone in the community.

What is a Neighbourhood House? It is a place in the community where people can meet, talk and make friends, join a class or support group or take up an activity for fun and enjoyment. It is a place where you can become involved in community events, volunteer your services or just find out about other services or activities in the area. It's about building a strong and resilient community.

How does it work? There are around 400 Neighbourhood Houses throughout Victoria. They are not-for-profit organisations receiving basic funding from the Victorian Government Departments of Health & Human Services and Education & Training. Their operations also rely heavily on grants from other bodies as well as input from volunteers. Stawell Neighbourhood House is managed by two paid staff, an army of volunteers and governed by a committee of management.

What can I do there? It's a good time of the year to drop into the Neighbourhood House as our first semester program is about to start and if you made a new year's resolution to learn something new in 2020 now's your chance!

Are you a mum or dad with pre-schoolers? Come and join playgroup on Tuesday mornings, 10-11.30am. Stawell Child and Maternal Health nurses visit once per month for a free drop-in session, and Stawell Library also comes regularly to facilitate story-time and sing-song.

Are you a mum, dad or carer of school-aged children? The established school holiday program provides a wonderful range of fun and learning activities for 5 to 18-year-olds.

Are you a young person at secondary school? You might like to join our Dungeons and Dragons group that meets fortnightly on Saturdays at the House. Or, take advantage of the programs offered by the Central Grampians Local Learning and Employment Network eg the L2P learner driver mentor program. If you don't have a car or supervising driver, we can help you rack up the required hours of supervised driving.

Do you like to go out for lunch occasionally? Our regular community lunches are legendary and for a gold coin donation, you can enjoy a delicious two-course meal prepared by great cooks and with local school children waiting on the table. Our next lunch, on Thursday, March 12, at 12.30pm, will have a French theme.

Don't have time for breakfast in the mornings? Give yourself a treat on Tuesdays and drop into the Neighbourhood House for a free breakfast. The kitchen is open from 8am to 11am.

Did you decide to improve your physical fitness this year? Tai-Chi classes run on Tuesday mornings, Yoga on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and if Hip-Hop is more your style then Monday afternoon at 4pm is when it's all happening.

Is creativity your thing? Life Drawing, Sewing Group, Crochet Group and Ukelele classes are all on offer this semester. Do you have a neighbour struggling with English? Let them know the English course starts on February 6.

What else can I expect from the Neighbourhood House? The House plays an advocacy role in supporting social policy in a local and broader context. The Neighbourhood House hosts various health and well-being support groups.

What happens behind the scenes? Partnering with government and community organisations, businesses and philanthropic organisations to secure appropriate funding and support is integral to the success of the House.

Can anybody participate? The House welcomes people from all walks of life. This inclusive approach creates opportunities for everyone to enrich their lives through connections they might not otherwise make, to strengthen social networks and build social capital.

How can I find out more? Phone 5358 3500 for more information or call in.