About us

Ballan & District Community House & Adult Education Centre Inc, trading as Ballan Neighbourhood House (BNH) BNH is located in Ballan, a community of 3,392 (2021 Census) in the Moorabool Shire, Victoria.

BNH is an incorporated charitable institution that was established in 1991 with the purpose of advancing social and public welfare by;

  1. Advancing mental health and preventing social isolation; 

  2. Providing a physical location where it supports individuals to undertake activities, or work on projects, in the company of others. 

Ballan Neighbourhood House acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to them, their cultures, and to the elders past and present. We give thanks to their custodianship of the land on which we live, work and recreate.

Ballan Neighbourhood House is a responsive and dynamic community space that encompasses a wide range of activities, programs, and events. We bring people together to connect, learn, reduce social isolation and contribute to Ballan (and surroundings).

The programs and activities delivered in our house encompass health and wellbeing, education and employment, arts, recreation, support and access, children and families, seniors, and youth services.

Our facilities include a beautiful 1800s public hall which is a key community space in Ballan. Within our building we partner with key, community, providers and include offerings from

  • Moorabool Shire Council - Ballan Library and Maternal health,

  • MECWA Care - (aged and allied health service) deliver free health checks and run community meals,

  • The Studio - provides a range of yoga, Pilates and other wellness classes

  • AXIS and APM Employment service providers - supporting our community to ensure suitable and stable employment opportunism are found and sustained

As a registered charity and part of the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria network, we are focused on community connection and empowerment. We are adaptive and responsive to the needs of our community, including as a resilience hub for those in need and during local emergencies. 

Our Termly programming includes;

Art Therapy,

  • Community Choir,

  • men’s group,

  • sit and stitch,

  • Blue light Disco's,

  • bushwalking,

  • gardening group,

  • Tai Chi,

  • cooking workshops,

  • Family history group

  • writer’s group,

  • book club,

  • craft sessions,

  • children and teen art classes,

  • babies and toddlers literary sessions,

  • calligraphy,

  • service advice sessions for seniors,

  • CPR & First Aid training,

  • kids Lego group,

  • A range of community events and presentations throughout the year.

Our Board

Ballan Neighbourhood House is Governed by a volunteer Board or Committee. The function of the committee is to;

  1. Duty to act in good faith and for proper purposes

  2. Duty to act with reasonable care, skill and diligence

  3. Duty not to dishonestly misuse information or position

  4. Duty to avoid conflicts of interest

The current committee comprises of the following

  • Chairperson - Bob Carey-Grieve

  • Vice Chair - Ron Joosten

  • Secretary - Helen Tatchell

  • Treasurer - Kevin Healey

  • Member - Patrick Bonello

  • Member - Linda Mckenzie

  • Member - Lyn Plummer

  • Member - Rosalyn Gatt

  • Vision

    •Growing our community spirit

    Mission

    •Building a caring and supportive community place for Ballan district

    Values

    •Welcoming (Pathways and Connections ) A safe community meeting place for all

    •Listening (Equity and Fairness) Learning and growing through courses & groups

    •Caring and accepting (Valuing people) Community leadership and resources

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