Mernda Community House
Your Neighbourhood House
COVID Notice
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we have limited capacity to deliver classes at the Community House. We are still working hard behind the scenes to make sure our programs are serving the community in these challenging times. Please feel free to contact us either here or through Facebook if you need to get in touch.
All classes and activities are currently being delivered online. As restrictions change, stay tuned either here or on our Facebook page to hear our announcements. Also, check your class or activity’s description, as they might have more specific information on how they are being affected by restrictions.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY
Before European settlement, the Aboriginal people of the Wurundjeri willum clan lived on the land that now forms the City of Whittlesea and the northern suburbs of Melbourne. They lived on the offshoots of the Yarra River - along the Merri, Edgars and Darebin Creeks - the Plenty River and the Maribyrnong River. We take this moment to recognize that Aboriginal Australians are the oldest continuous culture on earth and pay our respects to their elders past, present and emerging and acknowledge that Sovereignty has never been ceded.
Welcome!
Welcome to your Neighbourhood House! We’re here to celebrate and support community, and to enhance health, wellbeing and community connections in Mernda, Doreen and surrounding areas.
What’s a Neighbourhood House?
Here’s a great description from Neighbourhood Houses Victoria (NHVic):
“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.”
A Chance to Participate
At Mernda Community House, you can learn new skills, gain new knowledge, volunteer, get involved in projects and events, and much more - all while meeting others in your neighbourhood. We welcome ideas for new programs and events, and we love supporting people who have a passion that needs a place and space to grow.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Opening Hours
Mernda Community House is currently staffed Wednesday to Friday, 9am - 5pm. Drop in and find out what is happening at your Community House, or take a look at our classes and activities below and see how you can be involved. We’d love to meet you!
There are six other Neighbourhood Houses in the City of Whittlesea. You can learn more about all of us on the NHVic website.
What We Do
Classes / Programs / Events
Including arts and crafts, health and wellbeing, gardening and sustainability, English classes, Homework Club, playgroups, community events, and more.
Whittlesea Community Connections
Mernda Community House is a program of Whittlesea Community Connections (WCC). We can refer or link you to any of WCC’s many services, such as financial assistance, legal advice, volunteering, and social/support groups.
Want to Get Involved?
Volunteering
Volunteers bring a diverse set of skills and help deliver programs, organise events, and achieve our community’s vision for Mernda Community House. Volunteers are a valuable part of our team and are critical to our work. If you would like to volunteer, get in contact with us.
Advisory Group
The Mernda Community House Advisory Group is made up of representatives from within the community who help us stay in touch with our neighborhood. They help us make sure we’re staying true to the community’s vision for the house, help us fundraise, and run community events.
Our Philosophy
Mernda Community House is guided by community development principles and practice, which are founded on the values of:
Social Justice, Equality and Inclusion
What this means is that we look for ways and opportunities to work with the community and support you to meet your aspirations. We endeavour to deliver our programs for free or low cost so everyone can participate. We value diversity and provide a welcoming place for all. We understand the complex systems of social and economic barriers that exist and look for ways to challenge these to support you to achieve your goals.
Explore more about what our philosophy means to us at Mernda Community House.
Donations
We are a not-for-profit organisation, which means our kind and compassionate donors make a huge difference. They allow us to do more, and to do it better.
100% of your donations go towards supporting our community, especially those who have less access to social and economic resources than others do. See how you can donate by clicking the button below.
News/Blog
Here are our most recent updates. You find all our News/Blog posts here.
To receive the latest news directly to your inbox, click the button below.