Winchelsea Community House
About Us
Our What, How & Why
Winchelsea Community House is an independent non-profit organisation
Winch House encourages participation of all members of the community by offering a variety of programs, groups, education opportunities, occasional child care and activities to meet the needs of the local community.
Why? Because we want people in the wider Winchelsea community to feel good about themselves, their prospects, the place they live, and their place in society.
Our limited (and shrinking) funding comes from a variety of sources, including the State, Federal and Shire government, donations, fees for service (eg. room hire), fundraisers… but we have to balance the books because there’s nobody to pick up any losses. Financial sustainability is a critical focus at the moment.
What We Do
Our Programs, Activities and Resources
Winchelsea Community House offers and runs a wide range of activities and programs, according to community demand. Seniors’ walking groups, craft groups, lifestyle courses such as cheese-making, technology courses, job-ready courses such as first aid and RSA… if it helps to build, connect and engage community, we’d love to put it on, subject to financial sustainability (ie. it covers all our costs).
Winchelsea Community House also offers office resources such as internet access, public computers, printing, presentation/conference/meeting rooms. We can also provide things like a projector & screen, laptops, somethign to read from our free book library, and toddler toys through our toy library. For community and non-profits, these things are free or low-cost (a bond/deposit may be required).
What We Do
Our Vision, Purpose & Values
Winchelsea Community House exists for a specific purpose, and our guiding light to achieve that purpose (the end goal) is our vision. The behaviours we expect along the way are our values. These are all detailed below.
OUR VISION
(what is our ultimate ambition?):
To be Winchelsea’s community centre for inspiration, growth and enjoyment.
OUR PURPOSE
(why do we exist?):
To connect and engage the Winchelsea community with community activities, community development and lifelong learning so that people in the wider Winchelsea community feel good about themselves, their prospects, the place they live, and their place in society
OUR VALUES
(what do we expect from everyone?):
- Positive Relationships – we work together and embrace dignity, community and mutual respect.
- Always Learning – we create an environment encouraging and supporting ongoing learning in all we do.
- Diversity – we acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of all community members.
- Advocacy – we assist our community to have a voice.
- Confidentiality – we preserve privacy in all service delivery areas.
- Innovation – we encourage creativity, responsiveness and flexibility.
- Accountability – we include transparency and accessibility in our processes.
- Good Communication – we employ a range of communications methods to inform and to be informed by our community.
Meet Our Team
Our Staff
A paid Manager co-ordinates all the functions, services and activities that run out of the Neighbourhood House. The Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operational management, and for staff performance.
Wendy Greaves
Jo Klemke
Rhani Bayon
Tina Farmer
Meet Our Team
Our Volunteers
Volunteers are genuinely the lifeblood of Winch House, as they are everywhere. It simply wouldn’t be possible to operate without the time and dedication of those who help out for free.
Volunteering is definitely not a one-way street though – and at Winch House it is important to us that volunteers enjoy what they do, are recognised and valued, and that they gain satisfaction from their assistance.
Whether or not you have skills, experience and/or qualifications that could benefit our community, if you are able to regularly offer your time, you can help us build a better Community House and a better Winchelsesa community. Call in for a chat or get in touch.
Thinking of volunteering?
You have much to offer. Helps us run, grow and succeed.
Meet Our Team
Our Committee of Governance
Winch House is run by a Committee of Governance who are volunteers from the community. This Committee is responsible for;
- policy formulation and review
- the annual budget and financial situation
- the appointment and reviews of staff
- medium and long term strategic planning
- and general high-level oversight of the organisation
Tony Phelps
Madeline Pearce
Colleen Trewhella
Cromwell Hooper
Robyn Black
Monique Jacques
See more on Governance
Find out more about the running of Winchelsea Community House – policies, plans, consitution and more.
Organisational Structure
Our Legal Format
Winchelsea Community House is an independent Incorporated Association.
We are not a registered charity, however, Winchelsea Community House has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status via a public fund so that we can accept tax-deductible donations.
We are a member of the Neighbourhood Houses Victoria, and its local sub-group the Neighbourhood Houses Barwon.
Organisational Structure
Our Funding
We receive funding from the Surf Coast Shire, State Government ACFE and DPDC bodies, donations and sponsorship, and also through our own fund-raising activities.
Winchelsea Community House has Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR) status via a public fund. We can accept donations and you can receive a tax deduction for this. To find out more, contact us on 5267 2028.
Although uncounted in monetary terms, the contributions of our volunteers (both operationally within our House and strategically within the Committee) have a huge impact on what we get done with very limited funds. Their input is quite literally invaluable!
Organisational Structure
Our Partners & Supporters
Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
The department is responsible for child protection, prevention of family violence, housing, disability, multicultural affairs, LGBTIQ+ equality, veterans, and the offices for Women and Youth.
DFFH fund the standard ‘open’ hours for Neighbourhood Houses ie. the coordinator/manager role.
Surf Coast Shire
As our Local Government Authority (LGA), Surf Coast Shire provide an annual lump sum toward running costs. They are also our landlord, providing and maintaining our premises.
SCS are also very helpful with generous support from people, programs and promotions.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria
As the peak body for the Neighbourhood House sector, NHVic represent a membership of close to 400 community-based organisations across Victoria.
NHVic are tasked with strategic leadership, state-wide advocacy, advice and information, timely research and data analysis, professional development, and sector promotion.
Neighbourhood Houses Barwon
Neighbourhood Houses Barwon is an independent incorporated association of 25 Neighbourhood Houses in the Barwon Region. NHBarwon provides flexible and responsive support to the member houses, the broader sector and the community at large.