Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc

The surveys keep telling us the same thing. People are lonelier than ever, and young people most of all. You can have a thousand followers and still have no-one to call when your car breaks down. A direct message is not a cup of tea. A heart emoji is not someone sitting beside you on a garden bench while the kettle boils.

This is where Neighbourhood Houses do something remarkable. They are places where people actually meet each other. A cooking class. A knitting circle. A chess game. A walk around the vegie garden. Someone new showing up for the first time and being offered a biscuit. These are small things, and they are everything.

[Pictured, Jaime - All Abilities class facilitator]

A cup of tea cannot be downloaded Six years of my working life were spent in Aotearoa New Zealand campaigning against pokies with the Problem Gambling Foundation. What I learned sitting with people whose lives had been hollowed out by those machines has stayed with me. 

Until 30 June, every donation to CNLC is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,500. A $50 gift becomes $100. A $100 gift becomes $200. Twice the work, while the matched funds last.

Last year, community members from more than 48 countries walked through our doors, and behind every one is a story.

A woman who arrived in our All Abilities program non-verbal now catches the tram to class with the friends she made here. A refugee midwife is rebuilding the qualifications she needs to deliver babies again. A father cleared his fines and found a stable home for his family.

These stories happen because of supporters like you. Last year, every $1 invested in CNLC returned $3.91 in value to our community. 88% of our participants made new friends. 96% say they feel they belong.

Give now and double your difference: cnlc.org.au/donate

Every donation of $2 or more is tax-deductible. 💚

One of the groups that formed from our Climate Voices program is hosting a movie screening and event this Sunday at CNLC. See details below.

Hi all, the Plasticless People campaign are hosting a film screening THIS SUNDAY 11am-1pm at the CNLC.

We got a grant at the start of the year to run some community awareness raising events and this is our first event to kick off our campaign! Very exciting and thankful for Tony’s and Yarra City Council’s support.

We’d love for you to all come along and support our campaign and help raise community awareness of this important issue. There will be a short discussion after the film and free food!

Annie

https://events.humanitix.com/community-film-screening-the-plastic-detox

A few weeks ago our Alive and Active All Abilities program sewed these delightful creatures with the help of Jaime and Claire!

Today marks Eid al-Adha, a time of prayer, reflection, generosity and celebration, Eid al-Adha brings communities together to share meals, support those in need, and honour the values of compassion, gratitude and care for one another.

At Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, we are proud to be part of a diverse and vibrant community, and we extend our warmest wishes to all those celebrating this special occasion with family, friends and community.

🌙 Eid al-Adha Mubarak!

24 participants graduated from our Climate Voices (Program 5) last night, and what an inspiring group they were.

[ We are also taking applications for Program 6 that starts in a few weeks - apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/fTViehNNEa ]

Over the program, participants came together to develop four campaigns focused on creating practical local change:

• Encouraging a Council to introduce a Heat Emergency Plan to better protect communities during extreme heat events.

• “Nurture Your Nature Strip” – a campaign calling for a Council awareness campaign and support for households to plant and green their nature strips.

• Advocating for political parties in Victoria to commit to a $25 million annual Climate Resilience Fund, allowing local grassroots community groups to access funding to strengthen communities against climate emergencies.

• Calling for more frequent — and electric — bus services in Melbourne’s west, an area facing disadvantage and limited public transport options.

The ideas, leadership and passion shown by participants throughout the program have been incredible. Real change often starts with local people identifying challenges in their own communities and taking action together.

Congratulations to all 24 graduates. We’re excited to see where these campaigns go next!

What a fabulous gathering of volunteers from across Yarra’s nine Neighbourhood Houses yesterday, hosted by Fitzroy Neighbourhood House. A marvellous celebration of volunteer contribution across our neighbourhood house community, with Cr Sarah McKenzie and Cr Kenneth Gomez joining us for an afternoon of food, music, art making and community connection. Volunteers are at the heart of everything our houses do, and it was wonderful to come together to celebrate them.

This Pipino melon self seeded and grew in our garden! Delicious, sweet and aromatic - a refreshing, juicy blend of honeydew melon and cucumber flavors.

CNLC’s Annual General Meeting is coming up on Thursday 21 May, 6–8pm at Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

Join us as we reflect on a big year for our community, celebrate our 2025 achievements, look ahead to what’s next and share a meal together.

We’re also excited to welcome special guest speaker Susannah Day, proud Martu/Darlot woman and CEO of The Torch, leading nationally recognised work supporting First Nations artists impacted by the justice system.

All are welcome. Please RSVP to [email protected] or call (03) 9347 2739.

What a beautiful afternoon for our Great Big Carlton Lunch. More than 100 people gathered around long shared tables in the sunshine to share food, music, stories and conversation as part of Neighbourhood House Week 2026. With incredible meals prepared by volunteers and staff — from pilaf and BBQ chicken to chakalaka, cucumber yoghurt salad and fresh fruit platters — the day was full of warmth, generosity and community spirit, all soundtracked by the wonderful music of Fadil.

At a time when so many people feel isolated or disconnected, afternoons like this matter. A shared meal cannot solve every challenge, but it can create joy, belonging, new friendships and the simple reminder that we are stronger when we come together.



Neighbourhood Houses Victoria Australian Neighbourhood Houses & Centres Association