Community House Network Southern Region
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  • CHN Southern
    • CHN Southern LGA House Clusters
    • Bayside
    • Cardina
    • Casey
    • Frankston
    • Gateway to the South
    • Greater Dandenong
    • Kingston
    • Mornington Peninsula
  • Neighbourhood House Sector
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      • Recruiting a new Manager
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About us


CHNS is one of 16 Networks in Victoria. In general, Neighbourhood House Networks provide Management and Operational assistance and resources to their members. They also provide direct support to committees/boards of Governance, Management, staff and volunteers.
As a result of their extensive knowledge of Houses and Centres in their regions they also play a strategic consultative role.  All the Networks meet regularly and with NHVIC, work collaboratively on developmental strategies for the whole Sector.

OUR VISION:
Our Communities are Connected and Strong
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OUR AIMS:

Connecting Neighbourhood Houses and Community Learning Centres by supporting Best Practice, Building Capacity, Strengthening Connections and providing Resources and Training.

OUR MISSION:
We empower our Members by providing Support, Training and Advocacy.

OUR UNDERPINNING PRINCIPLES:
We are People Focused, Innovative, Proactive and recognise Diversity and Contribution.

CHNS operates within a social justice framework underpinned by 10 Community Development principles as defined by the DHHS Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP) funding, as do all Houses and Centres.  They are:
Community Ownership                  Community Participation
Empowerment                                  Access and Equity
Life-Long Learning                           Inclusion
Networking                                         Advocacy
Self-help                                             Social Action
 
WHO ARE OUR MEMBERS?
Our members are all NHCP funded Houses and Centres within our Regional boundary.
 Our Southern Region encompasses two DHHS Regions and 10 Local Government Authorities. In the past we were the two Regions of Southern and Westernport, which were amalgamated to form what is now the largest Network in the State with 72 members. The organisations within the 72 Houses range from huge services through to very small traditional Neighbourhood Houses. The term ‘Neighbourhood House’ is used in regard to any organisation in receipt of the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program funding despite them being a Learning Centre, Community Centre etc.
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HOW ARE WE FUNDED?
The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) provides core funding for Network activity through the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP). ​​Below is the link to the details of the NHCP funding.
Further to our funding our Members pay an annual membership fee.

NHCP Funding
2020-2021 AGM Report
CHNS Constitution
Committee of Governance 2021-2022
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Kelly Cooper -President
Manager - North 
Dandenong Neighbourhood House
Community Connections Network Greater Dandenong 




​Karsten Poll- Vice President

​Manager - Willum Warrain (Aboriginal Gathering Place)
​Mornington Peninsula Neighbourhood House Network






Arna O'Connell - Secretary
Manager - Cheltenham Community Centre

Kingston Community Centres/Neighbourhood Houses Managers Network


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​Samantha Neeman- Treasurer
Manager - Langwarrin Community Centre
Frankston Cluster


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​Miriam Cadwallader - General Committee
Manager - Living Learning Pakenham
Cardinia Cluster

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Paula Correia- General Committee
Manager - Doveton Neighbourhood Learning Centre
Casey Connect and Learn Alliance


Rebecca Harvison- General Committee
Manager- Mordialloc Community Centre
Kingston Community Centres/Neighbourhood Houses Managers Network
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Staff - Network Managers

Catherine Darcy

Hours: Tuesday to Friday 
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Tel: 0407 897 389 
Email: cath@chn.net.au​
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Wendy Hiam

Hours: Monday to Thursday
Tel: 0450 784 051
Email: wendy@chn.net.au​
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CHN Southern is funded by The Department of Health & Human Services
under the Neighbourhood House Coordination Program
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  • HOME
  • CHN Southern
    • CHN Southern LGA House Clusters
    • Bayside
    • Cardina
    • Casey
    • Frankston
    • Gateway to the South
    • Greater Dandenong
    • Kingston
    • Mornington Peninsula
  • Neighbourhood House Sector
  • Resources
    • Governance Resources >
      • Recruiting a new Manager
    • Recovery Resource quick list
    • Latest Data for Planning
    • Manager's Resources >
      • Induction
  • Training & Events
  • ABOUT US