Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Hawthorn electorate neighbourhood houses

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn) (19:07): (1255) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Carers and Volunteers, and the action I seek is for the minister to join me in meeting with neighbourhood centres in my electorate of Hawthorn to hear directly from them about their need for funding, support and an acknowledgement of the critical role they play in our community. There are around 400 ‍neighbourhood centres across Victoria. Each is vital to the grassroots organisations that deliver a wide range of services, programs and support to people of all ages, stages of life and backgrounds. From adult education and training opportunities to the provision of mental health support, health and wellness activities, emergency relief and practical support, the value these neighbourhood houses provide is staggering and a form of crucial help for our social infrastructure, especially in rural, regional and outer suburban areas.

In my electorate of Hawthorn there are five neighbourhood houses: two in Camberwell and one each in Surrey Hills, Hawthorn and Canterbury. Much of the work undertaken in these centres is powered by volunteers and staff who go above and beyond in responding to local needs with limited funding and resources. I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the tireless work and dedication of a few in my electorate: Mary Liston from Bowen Street Community Centre; Rochelle Anderson of Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre; Kate Clampett, Fiona Waring and Trish Scharer from Hawthorn Community House; Liz Finucan from Camberwell Community Centre; and Tracey Martin from Canterbury Neighbourhood Centre. Each of these remarkable leaders reflects the type of commitment and expertise we see right across this sector.

In the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria values report the minister can read, for example, that the Surrey Hills Neighbourhood Centre had an income of $419,771, while the value it contributed in improved quality of life through social connection, volunteer contributions, emergency relief and other vital services was $1.9 million. The community value equates to a benefit of $4.65 for every $1 of income, a benefit of $19.81 for every $1 of neighbourhood house coordination program funding and a benefit of over $472.40 for every hour the neighbourhood house is in use. A similar scenario would describe the great work of other neighbourhood houses across my electorate and indeed across the state. I respectfully urge the minister to consider the current funding and support received by these magnificent neighbourhood houses and to review the funding they receive in accordance with the value, benefits and scope of services delivered.