Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub

Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub's Commitment to Child Safety

All children who come into Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub have a right to feel and be safe. The welfare of children coming into our facility will always be our first priority and we have a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse and harm.

Our Child Safety policy and Child Safe Code of Conduct document outlines how we prioritise the safety and wellbeing of children and the steps we will take to achieve this.

All BNH staff, volunteers, Committee of Management and individuals involved in BNH must agree to abide by BNH’s Child Safety & Wellbeing Code of Conduct which specifies the standards of conduct required when working with children to ensure they are kept safe from harm including child abuse.

Information on how to report an incident is posted throughout our facility or see details below.

Our Child Safe Policies and Code of Conduct Documents are available to be viewed on our noitce-boards or please contact us.

TO REPORT A CHILD SAFETY INCIDENT:

Immediate safety concerns please call 000.

General safety concerns contact the Child Protection Intake Office 1300 664 977 - 9am–5pm

Hours Child Protection Emergency Service 13 12 78 (5pm to 9am weekdays, 24hrs on weekends and public holidays)

Our Committee of Management

Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is governed by a Committee of Management made up of volunteers from the Bendigo community. Our Committee of Management meet monthly to govern the neighbourhood hub and to provide support and guidance to our Co-ordinator. The primary goal of our Committee is to ensure the ongoing sustainability and viability of our organisation thereby ensuring this valuable community resource exists far into the future.

The Committee of Management is elected each year at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), with members being elected from the pool of people who are members of Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub.

Membership is open to all people in the Bendigo community - our annual membership fee is $2.00. The Annual General Meeting is held in between October & November each year.

Please contact us if you are interested in becoming a member of Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub.

Our Coordinator

Angelique Whitehouse has been the Coordinator of Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub since 2011. She has seen us go from 'Neale Street Neighbourhood House' to 'Bendigo Neighbourhood House' and now to our most recent transformation (and address change) into 'Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub'. She is passionate about community development, has established herself as an advocate for all people including people from refugee backgrounds and is well known both inside the walls of the neighbourhood hub and out in the community.

Registered Charity

Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is registered as a charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission ABN 55 637 008 124.

Funding & Associations

Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is funded through the Department of Families Fairness and Housing's Neighbourhood House Coordination Program (NHCP). Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub is part of the Regional Association of Neighbourhood Houses (RANCH), one of the 16 networks of Neighbourhood Houses in Victoria, whose peak body is Neighbourhood Houses Victoria (NHV).

As a Learn Local organisation, the funded courses delivered by Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub are funded through the Department of Education's, Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board.

Grants, Donations, Volunteers, & Friends of the House

Here at Bendigo Neighbourhood Hub, we are able to run our activities, provide support, advocate for, engage and learn with our community, largely due to the ongoing support and help of our very own local community.

Whether it is our Local Council or local businesses, who provide grants, equipment or supplies; other local community groups, who make donations or support our efforts with people power, individuals who donate items, their professional skills and or their valuable time, we are grateful to all our Friends of the House.

Friends of Ben

Ben is out resident neighbourhood hub pooch. Ben comes into the neighbourhood hub everyday to welcome visitors, play with the children, join in classes, andsit with people enjoying a coffee or waiting for assistance. He loves the treats, pats and attention he gets so readily while at work. Most days you'll find Ben in the foyer area, sitting on a lap or sleeping under a desk.

We are grateful to all the visitors and volunteers who take part in his care and contribute to his gorgeous loving nature.