Funding revived for CNH

​The saying goes “If you have been to one Neighbourhood House, you have been to one Neighbourhood House”, as they are so diverse, responding to the locally identified needs and priorities.

With the announcement of the funding for a Neighbourhood House in Charlton a lot of interest has been generated and a lot of questions are being raised. Here are the answers to some.​

What does a Neighbourhood House do?
Neighbourhood Houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute in their local community through social, educational, recreational and support activities, using a unique community development approach.
 
What is community development?
Community development is about enabling communities to identify and address their own needs.

​Who is arranging this?
The Charlton Neighbourhood House (CNH) is being auspice by the Charlton Forum. Initially a steering committee that was involved in the funding application is overseeing the process until a Committee of Governance (CoG) is formed. Members of this committee are Carolyn Olive (Forum), Mark Remnant (Buloke), Simon Christie (NH Network), Richard Porter (Expert Knowledge),  Hayden McKinnon (Rex), Marea Judd (Chamber of Commerce), Kelvin Baird (NCTTC), Kaylene Cossar (Community), Trent Cossar & Nathaniel Holmes-Brown (Youth)
 
When will the CoG be formed?
Expressions of Interest from the Charlton community for the CoG have been advertised (see below and local papers) and the Forum will form the CoG by the end of November.
 
Where will it be located?
The interim location will be in the Rex building. As the CNH grows the location may alter.
 
When will it be opened?
Initially it will be open every Friday from 9am to 5pm during November. It will not be offering any services only open to gauge the Charlton residents’ opinions on what you would like delivered through the CNH. Once the CoG is formed they will make decisions on services offered and advertise for a coordinator to operate the facility (possibly December/January).
There is a vast range of things that can be operated through the CNH so please make sure you offer input on what you would like.
 
Can I be involved?
Absolutely, there are many opportunities to be involved from joining the CoG, volunteering to help within the centre or you may have skills to offer a class. If you pop in during November, complete a survey and have a chat, you will see the many ways to help shape the CNH.
 
 
Partnering with the Buloke Shire to disseminate information on assistance available to local farmers through the Government’s drought packages is just one way a Neighbourhood House can help.
 
l-r Richard Porter(CNH), Mark Remnant (Buloke) explaining to Peter Whykes services available with Charmaine Delaney from Donald Neighbourhood House.

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