Welcome to CHANH and Neighbourhood House Sector!

You’re joining an incredible network of over 1,000 organisations across Australia, all working to strengthen communities through connection, inclusion, and lifelong learning.

Becoming part of this sector is a learning journey—no matter your background. At CHANH, we embrace this as part of our commitment to lifelong learning. There’s always something new to discover!
We value the way members support each other with advice, expertise, and problem-solving—because when we collaborate, our organisations and communities thrive.

Getting Started:

  • New Manager? Check out:
Checklist – Getting Started – New Manager 2024Download
  • New Committee Member? Check out:
Tip Sheet – Good Governance – 2024 (2)Download

What is a Neighbourhood House?

A Neighbourhood House is a community-owned organisation guided by the principles of community development: empowering communities to identify and address their own needs, building on existing strengths and assets, and fostering resilience, cohesion, and identity.

Neighbourhood Houses are inclusive spaces for everyone: all ages, genders, backgrounds, abilities, faiths or none, and all sexual identities. Neighbourhood Houses are for everyone.

Every house is unique—facilities, funding, and programs vary widely. But governance and management requirements are similar, making collaboration across networks an efficient way to share knowledge and support.

Background: The Neighbourhood House Sector & Networks

  • Early 1970s- first neighbourhood houses (NHs) established in Victoria
  • 1978- first Neighbourhood House Network formed: Community Houses Association of Outer-eastern Suburbs (CHAOS)
  • 1979- Peak Body established: now known as Neighbourhood Houses Victoria (NHVic)
  • 1986- Victorian Government introduces recurrent funding: now known as Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP)
  • 1995- Neighbourhood House Network for the Central Highlands area established: now know as Central Highlands Association of Neighbourhood Houses (CHANH), supporting neighbourhood houses in these LGA regions:
    • Pyrenees Shire
    • Golden Plains Shire
    • Moorabool Shire
    • Hepburn Shire
    • Ballarat City

What is CHANH?

CHANH is one of 16 Neighbourhood House Networks in Victoria, and we provide support to 14 Neighbourhood Houses across the Central Highlands region. Membership is automatically applied to all NHCP-funded houses, and participation in your local Network is part of your NHCP funding agreement.

Governance
CHANH is governed by a Board of Managers and Committee Members drawn from member houses. We work in partnership with NHVic to employ a 0.5 FTE Network Manager, who supports network activities and assists individual houses during transitions (e.g., recruiting a new manager, downsizing, compliance, or improving community development practice).

Our activities are guided by a Strategic Plan and Annual Plan, developed in consultation with members.

How We Work Together

  • Regular Network Meetings: Share ideas, experiences, and collaborate on initiatives.
  • Topic-Based Workshops & Communities of Practice: Offered based on need and interest.
  • Local Collaboration: Members are encouraged to meet with local organisations and councils to align projects, avoid duplication, and promote their work.

Current opportunities for CHANH members

  • Fit2Work – Online National Police Check service. CHANH maintains a subscription; member houses can create a private child page to manage checks for staff, volunteers, and committees.
  • Training and Conference Subsidy – $500 per year for each member organisation to support professional development (training, conferences, travel, or backfill).
  • Aboriginal Action Community of Practice and Subsidy – Quarterly online meetings to advance cultural safety and reconciliation. Subsidies available until June 2026.
  • Child Safety Standards assistance – Access Tier 1 and Tier 2 training via ChildSafe Australia at discounted rates.
  • Organisation Health Check – Quality-standard-based assessment to identify strengths and areas for improvement in governance and management.
  • Transitions Support – Help for houses preparing for change (e.g., new manager recruitment, committee onboarding, restructure). Support may come from CHANH, NHVic, DFFH, or other providers.
  • Governance Support – Templates, guidance, videos, and resources on our Governance Webpage. Plus, quarterly Spotlight On resource for governance practice and peer support.

To access any of these supports, contact Network Manager on networker@chanh.org.au or 0428 325 926