GIPPSLAND’S Neighbourhood Houses (NH) are continuing to provide for the community the best they can, following bipartisan support for ongoing funding in the lead-up to last month’s election.
But with many NHs only receiving funding for one paid manager, and others running solely on volunteers, many involved in the sector feel overworked and undervalued.
In 2018, the sector was informed that as part of the Victorian Budget, the state government would invest $21.8 million into the NHs. This funding was across three key areas:
– Increasing coordination hours across 167 houses to establish a minimum 25 hours per neighbourhood house across the state – houses that were funded for less than 25 hours in 2018 were invited to provide an expression of interest for the funding increase;
– Funding for 27 new neighbourhood houses, and;
– An additional 4800 hours across the NH network to improve support – allocated through an up-to-date formula which took into account differences in population and geography.
Neighbourhood Houses Gippsland (NHG) is a network of 21 neighbourhood houses across the wider Gippsland region, with the Wellington Shire home to facilities in towns including Yarram, Stratford, Gormandale, Heyfield, Briagolong, Dargo, Wurruk, Rosedale, Sale and Loch Sport.
NHG network manager, Antonia Halloran-Lavelle, told the Gippsland Times that the 2018 investment led to an increase of 1560 hours for the network.
Seven NHG members received an increase of five hours each to take them to 25 hours per week minimum. One new house, the Marley Street Community Hub, also received extra funding.
The Neighbourhood House Coordination program funds neighbourhood houses to provide a minimum of 25 hours of activities per week. This results in the majority of the 20 funded houses within the NHG network having only one paid staff member, and frequently results in staff and volunteers working alone.
This year, the NHs found that the 2018 commitments were not recurring, so the sector was unsure if the investments would continue beyond 2024. This left many NHG managers and volunteers concerned about their long-term potential in providing services and support for the community.
In early September, the state government committed $19 million in additional funding for a three-year period – with ongoing funding of $6.6 million annually after that – for the network of nearly 400 neighbourhood houses across Victoria. Prior to this, the opposition had also pledged financial support for the sector.
NHG members finally had confirmation that the 2018 package of support would continue well into the future.
Ms Halloran-Lavelle said that while she welcomed September’s announcement of the continuation of funding for eight houses, it has no impact on the remaining 13 facilities.
“This announcement means security for the eight houses identified, and for the remaining houses is security that my role will not have to reduce,” she said.
“The sector is already underfunded and this funding announcement has left houses feeling undervalued and under threat.
“We are having to fight to retain funding when we should be lobbying for additional funding to (the) sector.”
Heyfield Community Resource Centre manager, Caroline Trevorrow, said the Heyfield NH was not affected by the funding expansion of 2018.
“In 2018, houses that were operating with minimal hours could apply for extra hours, but we weren’t eligible because we operate at maximum hours (25 coordination hours a week),” Ms Trevorrow said.
“Some other houses may have only been funded for 10 or 20 hours, but were given funding for 25 hours.”
Segue Community Hub and Arts Café
JESSICA Darvill, who manages Segue Community Hub and Arts Café in Stratford, was happy to find out that more funding had been secured to keep the facilities operating as usual for the next few years.
“It’s quite stressful as a manager of a NH where funding might not be recurring. So when I had heard there had been an outcome, I was really excited and relieved,” she said.
“We are on the frontline doing things everyday. If the higher power decides they don’t want to fund us, it’s out of our hands.
“I was in my office with my treasurer, and I read it out to her, and it was a lot because we hadn’t gotten that information. I sent the news to our group chat and there was a sense of relief. I cried a little bit.
“We’re a group of 32 volunteers; if we’re not able to function in this capacity, that’s a lot of opportunities for the communities that would be missed. The volunteers are the people power that keep us going.”
Segue has been open for eight years as a community hub, information centre, and an arts café. It became a NH in recent years, and Ms Darvill said she has a great relationship with other NH managers.
“So we communicate often, and we have regular networking days where we get together and discuss issues we’re having. We offer resources,” she said.
Ms Darvill said the funding certainty means that Segue can continue the programs they have in place.
“We have the Kitchen Garden Programs, creative workshops, government initiatives… and deliver programs on behalf of the Wellington Shire.
“Our art exhibitions allow local artists to display their body of work and act as a source of income, as we have some of them for sale.”
Seaspray artist Julie Ward recently had her work on display and for sale at Segue. During COVID there was no markets, so Segue allowed artists to have an outlet to make an income.
Ms Darvill, a Stratford local for 12 years, began managing Segue just before the pandemic began. She said that during COVID, many residents who used to travel to Maffra or Sale spent more time in Stratford, and Segue helped to share relevant pandemic information.
“After people have been in that state of isolation, (they) want to reconnect with the community. So that’s where I think we’ve been really valuable,” she said.
“People come here to find out more about the local area. Our Facebook is a good conduit, but walking through the door is the best way to get involved with Segue if you’re interested in gardening, artworks, cooking, and greeting visitors.
“There’s admin work to be done. There’s always somewhere for somebody to be useful.”
Loch Sport Community House
VOLUNTEERS are helping many NHs stay afloat, but many in the sector are concerned about the lack of resources to help them provide for the community.
NH funding helps pay for managers’ roles, but Loch Sport Community House manager, Rachel Mulder, says many managers and volunteers are exhausted and do a lot of unpaid labour.
“We are very grateful for funding, but it has always been grossly inadequate. If you spoke to any house manager they could write off all the services we can’t provide. It’s a sector-wide concern,” she said.
Loch Sport has an older population than most of the Wellington Shire, and the NH provides communities who have mobility issues, as well as those feeling isolated in the town of 1021 residents.
The NH operates a 12-seater bus that usually travels to Sale once a week so residents can go shopping, swimming, to Centrelink or attend events.
Ms Mulder says the NH is also registered with Centrelink for work requirements.
“People love volunteering here… some volunteers need 15 hours to receive Centrelink benefits,” she said.
“Which means we have significant requirements (to operate), with very few volunteers. Our current volunteers are amazing, but there is a risk of fatigue.”
Loch Sport NH has moved a few times and is currently working out of the public hall.
“We would love secure premises, and we know the other houses are struggling with that as well,” Ms Mulder said.
“We have social groups every second week… (we do) sport, dancing, help with Centrelink and the Wellington Shire Library comes here so people can borrow books.
“We have a men’s cooking group, as we have a group of older widowed men, and we publish a community newsletter every month or so.”
Call the Community House on 5146 0145 or email lsch@netspace.net.au to volunteer or learn more about the organisation.
Briagolong Community House
The NH in Briagolong is opposite the general store on Avon St.
Briagolong Community House manager, Shae Gilbert, called the house the central hub of the town.
“This is where people go for help and advice for services. They come here to interact with other people in the community,” Ms Gilbert said.
“Kids come to hang out after school. Vulnerable people come down to get support, and connect with other people.”
Ms Gilbert said the house relies on its external funding.
“If we weren’t funded, the house would shut down,” she said.
“We were really excited and relieved that the funding is ongoing.”
With the money secured, Ms Gilbert said their operations will continue as normal.
“We do a lot of community learning programs,” she said.
“We do community lunches, we have seniors groups, craft groups… yoga classes, Tai chi, cooking classes and kids activities.”
For more information, visit the Facebook page or call 5145 5425.
