Neighbourhood Houses are typically governed by local community members through a Committee of Management as an Incorporated Association. This ensures that they are a registered legal entity, able to administer their governance, legal and financial responsibilities, utilising local community skills, knowledge, expertise and are representative of their local community.

Following a period of Council management, we are now re-establishing a community-led governance model at Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House. The aim is that this Committee will become the ongoing governing body of the Neighbourhood House in early 2027.

The process to form a Committee of Management will be based on a terms of reference for the interim committee to abide by and will require expressions of interest from interested community members.

• The City of Greater Geelong is inviting Expressions of Interest from community members from diverse backgrounds who are interested in helping shape the future of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House.
• The Committee will become the future governing body of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House, with members supported through training and development to take on this role over time.
• Working alongside Council during a supported transition period of 6 months. We are seeking up to 12 local community members to form a Committee of Management, who will work alongside Council during a supported transition period to establish the Committee.
• Interested community members will need to be prepared to provide up to a two-year commitment and volunteer 12 hours per month.
• Attend training in governance and community development.
• Progressively taking on the responsibility of governance of the centre as members of the committee, ensuring a smooth transition period. Undertaking tasks to support the committee establish itself.
• Accept the responsibility to transition to an independent community operated centre which will see the committee assume full responsibility for the centre.

We’re looking for community members who:

• Live, work, or have a strong connection to the Ocean Grove community.
• Are passionate about supporting a welcoming, inclusive and connected community.
  
• Are willing to contribute their skills, time, ideas and perspective.
  
• Can work collaboratively and respectfully with others.
  
• Are interested in helping guide the future direction of the Neighbourhood House.
  
• Are able to make a commitment to become a member of the committee once it transitions to being an independent Committee of Management.
• Experience being on a committee is not required, we will be providing training to community member who meet the requirements of the application process

We are particularly interested in people who are open to learning and developing their skills in governance and community leadership.

Expressions of Interest are now being sought from local community members aged 18+ to join the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House Committee in accordance with the Terms of Reference.

Interested community members need to be prepared for membership of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House Committee for two years as it transitions to a community management model. The Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House Committee will meet a minimum of 12 times per year, with meetings requiring a two-hour commitment and training session up to 6 hours. There will also be training session of 6 hours each month. With the committee members undertaking tasks toward establishing the committee in additional to these hours. A process to establish and transition the committee will be established.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House committee, the steps will involve:

• Complete and submit the Expression of Interest application form below.
• Answer the questions demonstrating you have the attributes to be a member of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House Committee. (Refer to the Terms of Reference)
• You will be provided with an application receipt once you have submitted the Expression of Interest form.
• The City will undertake a short-listing process and applicants will be invited to attend a short online interview.
• All applicants will be contacted once the recruitment process is finalised to confirm the outcome of their application.
• Successful applicants will need to complete a National Police and Working with Children Check. The cost of which will be covered by the City.

If you have any questions in relation to the Expression of Interest process, see contact details under 'Who's Listening'.

Applications open 18 June and close 5pm Thursday 16 July 2026.

The personal information and feedback (collectively the Data) requested on this page is being collected by City of Greater Geelong (City) for the purpose of the Ocean Grove Neighbourhood House Committee of Management Expression of Interest process and any other directly related purpose (Project).

A de-identified engagement summary report may be published on our website.

If your personal information is not collected, the Project may not be able to be adequately conducted, and the City may not be able to contact you for further questions or to find solutions.

In order to collect and conduct in depth and detailed analysis of the Data for the purposes of the Project, the City will disclose the Data (including your personal information if provided) to its third-party service providers, including Social Pinpoint Pty Ltd, Converlens Pty Ltd and Amazon Web Services.

Other than as stated above, your personal information will not be disclosed to any external party without your consent, except as required or authorised by law

Our privacy policy is available on our website. If you wish to alter any of the personal information you have supplied to the City, please contact us by sending an email to privacy@geelongcity.vic.gov.au.