About us

The Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre is a not-for profit community based Incorporated Association that is run by its local community members via a committee of management. It is designed under a community development framework and delivers services at a grass roots level. The centre has been servicing the community for over 30 years and is open to anyone in and around the Clarence Plains area. The main aim is to support the community to increase both their social capital and community capacity with the underlying goal of creating an independent, strong, vibrant and caring community. 

The centre provides social, educational and recreational activities to the community, advocates on their behalf when needed, and works with a strong belief that the local people understand community issues and problems as well as, if not better than, government organisations and other individuals outside of the community itself. 

The Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre is supported by Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania, also known at NHT. NHT is the peak body for all Neighbourhood Centres in Tasmania. They provide a range of services including membership support, advocacy and representation, research and policy development, information and coordination. It’s important to note that Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania does not deliver direct service provision

History

Operating in the area for over 30 years, the Clarendon Vale Neighbourhood Centre has seen its fair share of hurdles.

Originally started as a place for local women to have a space to chat, have coffee, and meet new people, the centre was set up in a housing department house on Mockridge road. Whilst there, they delivered short education and skills based courses, and operated a second hand clothing shop. 

As it expanded the centre was moved, first to a unit, and then to another house in Saladin Circle. By this stage child care, further classes, and discussion groups were available. Visiting services and health nurses also operated from the centre.

 The next step was to move to a purpose built building. Once there the service continued to grow adding new programs, bus trips using the Clarence Council’s community bus, and after school activities for local children. 

Unfortunately, in 2004 things started to grind to a halt. The committee numbers had dropped and there were not enough members to sustain the organisation.

By 2005 the local Neighbourhood Centre was set to close. The local community did not want to see this happen, and a few committed members pulled together and sought support from Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania.  With this support a steering committee of local members was formed. They started work and developed a new constitution, policies and procedures. They kept the ball rolling and after three years of constant meetings and hard work their efforts were rewarded. 

Over the past 5 years the CVNC has continued to run and thrive at both 63 and 65 Mockridge Road. 

In 2007 the centre became incorporated. By 2011 the centre had grown bigger than the building itself. With the expansion of services, a larger building was required. On the 16th of March 2012 the CVNC officially opened their new building at 63 Mockridge Road.

How you can be involved?

There are many ways that you can become involved at the CVNC. Come along and access our facilities, have a cuppa and see all the services we have to offer! Another option is to become a volunteer. There are three ways you can volunteer at the CVNC. These Include:

1. Becoming a Financial Member? At a cost of $1 .00 per year, financial members are kept up to date on what is going on and have the option to help as little or as much as they like.
2. Becoming a Centre Volunteer- Centre volunteers assist with a range of things, from day to day operations to bus driving and gardening.
3. Become part of the committee of management. These members oversee the strategic direction of the organisation.