What is the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House?

The Ballarat East Neighbourhood House is your local neighbourhood house, a place that's more than just bricks and mortar. We're a living, breathing part of this community and we want to share our story with you.

One way of thinking about a neighbourhood is a collection of houses and streets and the people that live there. Sometimes people are friendly, but often people living in a neighbourhood don’t know many of the people living around them. It seems like this is a modern phenomenon - that maybe in the past, families and communities were more connected. However, in the 21st century, people frequently feel a sense of isolation and disconnection.

This is why neighbourhood houses are so important. We are passionate local residents, who have a shared vision - to create a space that everyone can call their own. We are not run by council. We are not here for a single interest or activity. We do receive a small amount of annual funding (around $100,000 in 2025) for our Manager position from the Victorian Government, so we can work to build community for everyone, regardless of their background, abilities or interests.

Ballarat East Neighbourhood House, based at Barkly Square, Ballarat East, is a big part of this story, and our committee, staff, volunteers and members have worked hard to transform two of the classrooms into the place you see today - a hub of activity and support. We also run activities in other spaces at Barkly Square, Eureka Centre and elsewhere in broader Ballarat East.

We are owned by broader Ballarat East, our community, and that makes all the difference. Every decision we make, every event we host, program we run or funding we seek is driven by the needs and dreams of people living in the eastern part of Ballarat.

We host everything from Auslan courses, playgroup, yoga, qigong and walking group to book clubs and from watercolour and sketchbook classess to chatty social groups. There's always something happening. We've seen friendships blossom, skills develop and confidence grow within these walls.

One of our proudest moments in the last few years has been seeing two of our newsletter delivery volunteers reconnect at a volunteer celebration. They had worked together for years at the Ballarat Library, but hadn't seen each other in a long time. They were so delighted to have found each other again!

Being community-owned means that every one of you has a stake in our success. It means that social and economic benefits stay right here, helping to build a stronger, more resilient neighbourhoods. It means that we can grow the unique character of our community, even as the world around us changes.

So, come on in! Whether you're looking to learn something new, meet new friends, or just find a quiet place to relax, we're here for you. Together, we can continue to build a neighbourhood that we all love and are proud to call home.

With love and warmth, Ballarat East Neighbourhood House

Find out about becoming a Member of the Ballarat East Neighbourhood House