The Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre has been active since 1980. Formally known as the Ballarat East Community House (BECH), the Centre began as an Occasional Creche held in a church hall. It quickly became apparent many people were isolated from family, relatives and friends. The women had needs other than childcare, which could not be met by existing services. Efforts were made to obtain suitable premises and in 1982 the Ballarat East Community House officially opened.
During the following years the Centre has offered a wide variety of courses and activities for an ever increasing number of people living in and around Ballarat. In 2012 BECH merged with the Delacombe Neighbourhood House and local Work & Learning Centre, to become the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre. Soon the Centre outgrew its premises and settled into the Ballarat South Community Hub in January of 2013.
Over the years as the organisation has grown, the Ballarat South Community Hub location at the back of Phoenix P12 Community College, has created opportunities for Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre to work closely with school staff and families. In late 2020, discussion with Regional Development Victoria started on a joint community garden project for Sebastopol. This large community garden also located on the school’s grounds will open in 2024. It will provide another training and community meeting space for Sebastopol residents and the wider Ballarat community to use and work together in as the garden grows.
Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre has not forgotten it’s Delacombe community connections, continuing to support its members by convening the Delacombe Chair’s Form of likeminded support organisations and running activities for this community. Working with this community and the City of Ballarat saw Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre take over managing the Delacombe Community Hub in July 2023. After being closed for several Covid years, this additional facility has been embraced by locals with community activities commencing almost immediately. Over the next few years, there are plans to create a vibrant volunteer hub for small community group meetings, organise community activities, reestablish the community garden and provide a range of services to help community members.
After 40 years, the Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre may have changed locations, activities and faces but we have never wavered from our core mission to help those in need where they need.
