Clunes Neighbourhood House is a community-led organisation that once had double the number of volunteers involved in its operations each week compared to the state average. Working with local people, businesses and other community groups, our goal is to contribute to the liveability of Clunes by supporting everyone to be an active part of the neighbourhood.
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While Neighbourhood Houses across the country all look very different, the basic principles that underpin how a House works with its community are the same. Each House starts with the assumption that communities have existing strengths and assets that make them part of the solution – and then we approach what we do by “doing with, rather than doing for.” Learn more about Neighbourhood Houses.
Clunes Neighbourhood House was formally founded in 1992 (after operating informally before then) and incorporated in 2007 by local people seeking to provide community development opportunities to lessen social isolation and foster inclusion.​ We are a membership-based organisation with individual and organisational members. Our role is to support our neighbourhood, working with individuals, businesses and community groups in Clunes.
About Us
We operate on a three year strategic planning cycle to enable us to have the time to work together to co-design and embed outcomes across the community.
​Download our current strategic plan. How did we get to this place? Download our 2018-2021 plan and 2016-2018 plan to see the journey we've travelled.
Clunes Neighbourhood House employs a Manager, part-time Co-ordinator and part-time Project Officer. All other team members (thank you!) are volunteers.​
In 2017, we partnered with Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre and the Victorian State Government to undertake a series of research studies with local businesses to better understand the aspirational, educational and employability needs of our community. This report has informed many of our projects and is an example of how we ensure we are close to our community.​
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Hepburn Skill Store CLUNES Report: research that informed our multi-level, multi-stakeholder approach to supporting the aspirations, participation and employability of people in Clunes. Since then we've used these learnings to build capability - piece by piece - in order to create the foundations for future proofing projects.
Sometimes crisis triggers the genius within.
- Bernard Kelvin Clive
Our Mission
At Clunes Neighbourhood House, we engage with our local neighbourhood to develop a diverse range of opportunities that connect and strengthen our community.
This has been why we do what we do for many years, but now more than ever, it’s vitally important.
COVID-19 has meant that we have adapted old ways of operating to safely reach out, share moments, support each other and build strength. In the process, we have become a stronger community.
Please view our complete strategic plan here
Our Vision
A community actively caring for its people and place.
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Evidence that Clunes has long been a community that cares exists all around us. It is part of the reason why our community has rallied together so quickly in response to the threat of COVID-19.
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This capacity to listen to others, remain connected and problem solve is what will help us get through this. Already we are seeing great ideas popping up that may well help us rebuild our community and economy.
Clunes life may be a bit different now, and it may be a bit different in the future, but it will always be a community that just gets on with the job of caring for its neighbours and our town.