Woodend Neighbourhood House
-
Woodend Neighbourhood House receives boost as pressures bite
Woodend Neighbourhood House has received a funding boost from over-50s lifestyle developer GemLife, as cost-of-living pressures drive increased demand for its services. The not-for-profit organisation is supporting up to 300 people a week – a 119 per cent increase between 2024 and 2025 – through its food bank, community lunches and range of connection programs.…
-
Winter fun these holidays
With the July school holidays fast approaching, the Woodend Neighbourhood House is once again opening its doors for a fun-filled lineup of creative, hands-on and engaging workshops for children and teens. Designed for a variety of age groups, the program offers something for everyone. Whether it’s crafting a cute sausage dog, building with LEGO bricks,…
-
Bag a bargain at Woodend
The Woodend Whole Town Garage Sale is making its comeback on Saturday March 2. Now in its 11th year, the event saw over 40 houses register last year, proving the saying, “someone’s trash is another person’s treasure”. Woodend residents are encouraged to register their address to secure a spot on the town-wide garage sale map.…
-
Tackling food insecurity locally
Community members facing hardship will have improved access to pantry staples and frozen meals, thanks to a new Food Bank in the undercroft of the Woodend Neighbourhood House. The new location will help Woodend Neighbourhood House better respond to the increasing demand for food relief. Melissa Baker is the manager of the Woodend Neighbourhood House…
-
Woodend gives back
Woodend Neighbourhood House will be able to help more locals this Christmas, thanks to a generous donation from the craft groups at Gemlife Woodend. Susan Lawson runs Gemlife’s weekly mosaic class, and the group has been busy producing mosaic pots, plates and decorative ornaments all year. “We’ve had lots of interest in our mosaics, so…
-
Reverse advent calendar to share some Christmas cheer
A different kind of advent calendar aims to bring cheer to Macedon Ranges families in need this Christmas. Woodend Neighbourhood House is inviting locals to take part in the reverse advent calendar project. Unlike a regular advent calendar where the focus is on receiving a treat every day, the reverse advent calendar takes the focus…
-
Foodbanks meet changing needs
Foodbanks in Kyneton and Gisborne are preparing to meet the changing needs of Macedon Ranges locals amid the coronavirus pandemic. Kyneton Caring Community’s Kerryn Wildenburg said the Kyneton foodbank experienced a spike at the end of March as many workers were stood down and unable to access basic necessities. Ms Wildenburg anticipates more people will…
-
Happy Birthday! – Woodend Repair Café turns one
Woodend Repair Café is celebrating its first birthday tomorrow at the Woodend Farmers Market. One of 38 officially registered repair cafés operating in Australia and part of a growing movement, the Woodend branch is very excited to have reached this significant milestone. “I first heard about Repair Cafés overseas,” volunteer coordinator Jasley Wilding-McBride said. “I…