Volunteer with our Committee
Be Part of Something Special: Join the Goonawarra Neighbourhood House Committee
For over 35 years, Goonawarra Neighbourhood House has been the beating heart of our local community. Nestled in the Goonawarra Estate at 8 Gullane Drive, we’ve watched families grow, friendships blossom, and our neighbourhood evolve into the vibrant, diverse community it is today. But here’s the thing about community organisations like ours – we don’t just happen by magic. Behind every successful program, every warm welcome, and every positive change in our community, there’s a dedicated group of local volunteers who believe in the power of bringing people together. That group is our Committee of Management, and we’re looking for a few more passionate community members to join us.
At its core, Goonawarra Neighbourhood House is about community development – a term that simply means working with local people to identify what our community needs and then taking action together. We’re not about imposing solutions from the outside; we’re about listening to our neighbours, understanding their challenges and dreams, and creating opportunities for everyone to contribute their unique skills and perspectives.
Currently, our small but mighty committee comprises an exceptional blend of skills and perspectives from across our community. We have people working in business operations and marketing, education, community banking, NDIS support services, mental health, and refugee support organisations. Each person brings their unique professional experience and personal insights to help guide our organisation. We love how diverse backgrounds enhance our neighbourhood house, making it more effective, inclusive, and responsive to community needs. This blend of skills, knowledge, and care enables us to make informed decisions for our neighbourhood.
What Does the Committee Actually Do?
You might be wondering, “Okay, but what would I actually be doing if I joined?” Great question! Our committee’s role is to provide guidance and oversight for the organisation, but we keep things practical and community-focused. We meet online every two months for about two hours, making it easy for busy people to participate.
Strategic Planning
Where will we be in 5-10 years? How do we prepare for our community’s growth and changing needs?
Financial Oversight
Making sure we’re using our funding wisely, sustainably, and transparently
Risk management
Identifying potential challenges and putting systems in place to address them
Regulatory compliance
Ensuring we meet all legal and regulatory requirements as a community organisation
Community connection
What’s happening in our neighbourhoods that we should know about?
Program support
How can we help our fantastic staff and volunteers deliver even better services?
Advocacy
Speaking up for our community to local leaders, Hume City Council, governing bodies, and government MPs when decisions are made that affect us
Looking Ahead to Our Growing Community
Here’s what has us excited: Sunbury South is experiencing incredible growth, with hundreds of new families expected to move into our area over the next decade. This brings amazing opportunities to welcome newcomers and create an even more vibrant, multicultural community. We’re refocusing our attention on supporting this growing diversity, ensuring that people from all cultural backgrounds feel welcomed, valued, and connected. Whether someone’s been here for generations or just arrived last month, everyone deserves to find their place in our community. This is where new committee members will make a real difference – helping us think creatively about how to serve our evolving community and ensuring our programs reflect the richness of our neighbourhood’s diversity.
Why We Need You
Here’s the straight-up truth: you don’t need a special set of qualifications or years of committee experience to make a valuable contribution. What we’re looking for are people who:
- Care about their community and want to see it flourish
- Bring their own life experiences and perspectives to our discussions
- Are willing to listen, learn, and share ideas
- Can commit to participating in our fortnightly online meetings
- Want to be part of something meaningful
Whether you’re a parent seeking to enhance opportunities for local families, a retiree with time and wisdom to share, a young professional with fresh ideas, or someone with firsthand experience of the challenges our community faces, there’s a spot for you on our committee. We’re seeking 3-5 new General Members who can help us think broadly about community needs and opportunities. No specific roles to fill, just genuine people who want to contribute to making our neighbourhood the best it can be.
The Practical Stuff
You’ll need to attend online meetings that last about two hours every two months, along with 1-2 hours each month, which includes reading documents, staying informed, and engaging in occasional email & Microsoft Teams discussions. There are a few additional meetings in the lead-up to our AGM, as well as optional opportunities to attend community events throughout the year. We do require Working With Children Checks and Criminal History Checks as standard requirements for community organisations.
If you’ve made it this far, you’re likely considering whether this could be a great fit for you. We hope so! Our community is at a truly exciting point, with opportunities to create something special as we welcome new people and continue to serve families who have called Goonawarra home for years. Your voice, perspective, and passion for community could be just what we need.
Want to know more? Fill out an enquiry form to start chatting about joining our committee. No pressure – just a friendly conversation about what community involvement could look like for you. We welcome expressions of interest all year round, so don’t rush – reach out whenever feels right.