A Place Where Everyone Belongs
Sustainable community development starts with a focus on what’s strong, not wrong. For Neighbourhood Collective Australia, this means focusing on people’s strengths and abilities to build community resilience in their own way – including how best to adapt to a changing climate.
It’s why this grassroots not-for-profit organisation supports The Old Church on the Hill, a vibrant, volunteer-run community space in Bendigo’s Quarry Hill where more than 30 community groups come to share ideas and expertise, celebrate their cultural diversity, and learn from each other’s strengths.
Communal passata making, fruit preserving, repair cafés and construction workshops bring different generations together to learn new skills and develop connections, while the community garden and low-waste pantry support local food production and resilience. Future initiatives for the community hub include a monthly environmental networking dinner, slow-fashion workshops and an on-site op shop.
Objectives
We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to enabling self-determination for all Aboriginal people and aim to work closely with the Aboriginal community to drive action and improve outcomes especially in the context of a changing climate.