Heathcote hub a hive of activity

HEATHCOTE Community House is seeking to be a key facilitator in gathering representatives from different organisations together to foster local partnerships. 

“Working in partnership is not only smart resource wise, because we’re not stacked with resources, but also for everybody, because you, know many hands make light work,” said the community house’s executive officer Vicki Forde. 

The Heathcote Community Capacity Builders program brings together representatives from different community groups to provide networking opportunities. 

“The idea is those representatives from the organisations do all the sharing and caring with one another and working together but then they also take it back to their community groups and the people within their community groups,” said Ms Forde. 

“People come together at community houses that wouldn’t normally come together.” 

The community house has a garden to grow produce that is used in meals volunteers make for food relief efforts by other local organisations, which they then distribute to those in need, such as St Vincent de Paul, and local kinders, schools, and health services.  

“Since the cost of living has gone up, the need has gone up,” said Ms Forde. “It would be double the amount needed since a year ago. 

“We could double the amount that we’re even doing now to meet the need again, but we’ve got to try and grow that as far as the donations of food because we can’t grow everything.” 

The centre currently has one corporate donor, Mandalay Resources, who provide a monthly donation and cooking assistance, and Ms Forde said some people donate their own fresh produce.  

Services Australia is also based at the community house, and people are welcome to get help with online processes from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday. 

“That’s been huge for Heathcote, particularly since COVID because even more things have gone online,” said Ms Forde. 

The centre also runs an array of programs and groups such as Heathcote Writer’s Playgroup, a crafting group, a Dying to Ask, run by Death Doula Amanda Collins, a walking group, chi yoga classes, and a community lunch once a month. 

Ms Forde said the centre has five paid part-time staff and about 15 volunteers working with them each year, including about one Community Services student per term on placement from Bendigo TAFE.  

She also said throughout the organisation’s programs and activities about 100 community members utilise its services per week. 

Like other neighbourhood houses in Greater Bendigo, Heathcote Community House also receives funding from the Department of Families, Fairness, and Housing and the City of Greater Bendigo.