Neighbourhood SOS to Victorian government

Feedback from Wangaratta's neighbourhood house users is on its way to the Victorian government, as part of a campaign by a state body seeking more support for the sector. Pangerang Community Hub in Ovens Street, and Burke Street's Open Door Neighbourhood House have backed the 'Keep Our Doors Open' campaign since it was launched by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria (NHVic) in October. Over that time, they have encouraged participants in their programs to sign campaign postcards to send to Minister for Carers and Volunteers Ros Spence, to highlight the plight of neighbourhood houses as NHVic seeks to increase annual state government funding by $11.7 million - or risk the closure of 200 neighbourhood houses across Victoria. NHVic is calling on the state government to increase the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) hourly rate by 25 per cent, which it says would restore funding for the houses to sustainable levels. The state peak body is also seeking government support for 25 currently unfunded neighbourhood houses, and asking for a commitment to 20 new neighbourhood houses in Victoria's outer metro and regional growth areas. NHVic believes the changes are needed at a time when almost half of Victoria's neighbourhood houses are running at a loss as they deal with rising costs, increasing community need, and a reduction in funding - the combination of which is forcing them to cut hours, staff and programs. Ovens Valley MP Tim McCurdy visited Pangerang Community Hub last week to gather a collection of more than 100 signed postcards highlighting the community's support for increased state funding, to pass on to the Minister. The cards featured comments from locals about why they love their neighbourhood house, with the heartfelt messages including: 'It is a safe space to meet people and learn new skills'; 'It gave me the chance to return to work after having children'; and 'It's a place I can go when I feel completely alone and have no-one to help me. It's a place I truly feel I can belong'. According to NHVic, more than 185,000 Victorians each week access community support and local services through the more than 400 neighbourhood houses in the state. In Wangaratta, Open Door registers 250 visits each week by people accessing its programs and services, with Pangerang recording 210 visits weekly. Participants at both houses report positive benefits from their involvement, and say the greatest improvement is in their physical and emotional wellbeing, and social connections forged. Mr McCurdy said he was proud to collect the signed postcards from the neighbourhood houses. "These postcards represent the voices of our community, and I'll be taking them to parliament before the end of the year to ensure the Minister Spence understands just how vital these houses are," he said. "Their message deserves to be heard loud and clear.” Postcards will continue to be collected until next week, and locals keen to contribute to the campaign are encouraged to drop in to Pangerang Community Hub and Open Door Neighbourhood House to pass on their thoughts.

Neighbourhood SOS to Victorian government

Hawks soar late to tame Lions in midday show decider

Frustration for long-time fundraiser

Wangaratta Chronicle, Wednesday, 16 September, 2026

New powers in effect targeting illegal tobacco retailers

Most popular stories

Hawks soar late to tame Lions in midday show decider

Frustration for long-time fundraiser

Wangaratta Chronicle, Wednesday, 16 September, 2026

New powers in effect targeting illegal tobacco retailers