08 Aug 2018 Mansfield Courier, Mansfield VIC (General News) THE Bonnie Doon neighbourhood house has recently received $14,760 of funding along with an extra five funded coordination hours, meaning the house will be open for 25 hours per week. With almost 200,000 people visiting neighbourhood houses every week in Victoria, the additional coordination hours will help staff and volunteers provide the activities and services Victorians need and want closer to home. Neighbourhood houses bring people together to connect, learn and contribute with fellow community members through language classes, computer tutoring, health and well-being activities, life skills lessons, self-help groups and occasional childcare. Thousands of Victorians, including residents of Bonnie Doon and surrounds, are about to reap the benefits of a funding boost to be shared by the states neighbourhood houses thanks to the State Government, which was recently announced by Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria). All 162 neighbourhood houses across the state have been funded to deliver 25 coordination hours per week, part of a record $21.8 million investment to deliver an extra 76,700 hours each year. It is fantastic to see this vital community space expand its operations into neighbouring facilities to ensure it can continue to service the community, Ms Symes said. From gardening lessons to IT training, theres always support, advice and a helping hand to be found at neighbourhood houses it is wonderful to also be able to increase their funding. More hours, more staff and more volunteers this investment is a win for the local community neighbourhood houses.