In 2021 we delivered a significant program that provided local aged care residents with a professionally-published book of their life history. Young people interviewed the residents (both in-person and via COVID-Safe methods when necessary) and assembled a record of the resident's life, their childhood and education, family, career, achievements and more.

With assistance from the resident and their family, photos were also scanned to appear in the book. Our participants then created draft versions of the book for review and correction before the final book was published, and presented to the resident. The aims of the project were to cross the generational divide between the young and the elderly in a friendly and social setting, to expose young people to the history of the town and townsfolk, to provide a keepsake for the resident, and provide a communication starter for the nurses, staff, and visitors.

In August of 2021 we again assisted young people to access training for basic employability certificates. We funded a Construction Induction (White Card) course that enabled students from St Arnaud Secondary College to engage in work experience relevant to their desired careers.

We partnered with All Skills Services to deliver this course.

On Sunday 20th June 2021 St Arnaud Neighbourhood House, the St Arnaud Norman Simpson Memorial Pipe Band, friends and family of Rhonda Fernandes, and the Kara Kara Conservation Management Network joined together for a tree-planting day at Beazley’s Bridge.

​

A courageous effort from the group saw 950 trees planted on the day. Even with the cool weather, all those in attendance had a pleasant time, and even the youngest participants enjoyed digging and planting the saplings. The trees will grow to form a windbreak and shade for stock, and act as wildlife corridors enabling many native and endangered species to access habitat and sources of food and water.

As part of our Aged Care Project, St Arnaud Neighbourhood House is providing a diorama of an historical farming scene to Coates Hostel. Staff of the Neighbourhood House, assisted by young people and members of the local community, have completed the scene, which depicts a typical day on an Australian farm, set roughly around the time of World War II.

​

In the diorama are a ute, a tractor, a windmill, several animals and a fence. Showing a scene from earlier generations will remind the residents of their younger days and will provide a great conversation starter for residents, staff and visitors. We hope that all the residents of Coates Hostel will appreciate and admire the diorama.

On Sunday 2nd August, St Arnaud Neighbourhood House, the St Arnaud Norman Simpson Memorial Pipe Band and Kara Kara Conservation Management Network joined forces for a tree-planting day at Kooreh. 800 trees were planted in a strong effort from all present. 20 people were available to complete the task, but due to COVID-19 restrictions, they had to work in two shifts of ten people each in order to complete the task. 

​

All who participated had a pleasurable time and even the young participants enjoyed digging, planting and protecting the saplings. In years to come they will be able to drive past and see the result of their efforts. The planted trees will grow to form wildlife corridors that will enable many native and endangered species to access more habitat and sources of food and water. They will also provide shade for stock, and attract birdlife.

In 2019 sixteen dancers from St Arnaud were again able to participate in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular thanks to support from St Arnaud Neighbourhood House. The dancers planned their excursion including meals, travel and accommodation, and designed some of their uniforms. They rehearsed regularly during the year including several rehearsals in St Arnaud with the Spectacular’s official choreographer.

​​

On September 14th the Spectacular performance was held at Hisense Arena and was later broadcast on Channel 7. The dancers from St Arnaud joined others from more than 80 schools on stage. The supervisor Deb Feeny reported that everyone had a great time and thought it was fabulous, educational and motivational. Opportunities for dancers are limited in our regional town and the participants were grateful for the opportunity to rehearse and perform at this professional-level event.

St Arnaud Neighbourhood House supported the local entrants in the Energy Breakthrough 2019, along with local groups, businesses and the state high school. Two teams entered their cars in the event which takes place over 3 days and includes a 24-hour time trial as the main event. The event focuses not just on vehicle speed but also improves participant’s understanding of mechanics, alternative energy, and energy efficiency.

The young people in the teams had to design their cars and livery, undergo many practice sessions, make ongoing repairs and maintenance, study human-powered vehicles and energy efficiency, and make a presentation to race officials all before even entering the race. The two teams acquitted themselves admirably with both completing the 24-hour time trial, albeit with some tired drivers and mechanics at the end.

In 2019 we again assisted young people to access training for basic employability certificates. The Responsible Service of Alcohol certificate course allowed attendees to apply for jobs at local pubs, the sporting club, and alcohol retailers. We also funded a Construction Induction (White Card) course that enabled students from St Arnaud Secondary College to engage in work experience relevant to their desired careers.

We partnered with the Good Sports program to deliver the Responsible Service of Alcohol course and with All Skills Services to deliver the Construction Induction (White Card) course.

On Sunday 23rd June, St Arnaud Neighbourhood House, the St Arnaud Norman Simpson Memorial Pipe Band and Kara Kara Conservation Management Network joined forces for a tree-planting day at Tottington. 1046 trees were planted in a spirited effort from all present. 14 young people and 16 adults worked together to complete the task, forming small groups to get the job done efficiently.

Despite the cold start to the morning, all present had a pleasurable time and even the youngest participants enjoyed digging, planting and protecting the saplings. In years to come they will be able to drive past and see the result of their efforts. The planted trees will grow to form wildlife corridors that will enable many native and endangered species to access more habitat and sources of food and water. They will also provide shade for stock, and attract birdlife.

In 2018 fourteen dancers from St Arnaud were able to participate in the Victorian State Schools Spectacular thanks to support from St Arnaud Neighbourhood House. The dancers planned their excursion including meals, travel and accommodation, and designed their own uniforms. They rehearsed regularly during the year including several rehearsals in St Arnaud with the Spectacular’s official choreographer.

On September 15th the Spectacular performance was held at Hisense Arena and was broadcast on Channel 7. The dancers from St Arnaud joined others from more than 80 schools on stage. Supervisor Deb Feeny reported that everyone had a great time and thought it was fabulous, and looked forward to being able to participate next year.

In 2018 we focused on training young people in skills useful for gaining employment in the local economy. Responsible Service of Alcohol and Safe Food Handling courses provided many with the skills and knowledge applicable to one our town's biggest industries (hospitality) while a Construction Induction (White Card) course enabled others to engage in work experience relevant to their desired careers.

We partnered with the Good Sports program to deliver the Responsible Service of Alcohol course, with Federation Uni to deliver the Safe Food Handling course, and with All Skills Services to deliver the Construction Induction (White Card) course.

On Tuesday 25th October we held a BBQ to celebrate the achievements of our Engage! project participants from the year. St Arnaud Secondary College graciously hosted our BBQ, and the staff there were rewarded with sausages and rissoles! A short ceremony followed during which those students who participated in our projects were acknowledged, and a short recap of the year followed. The event was attended by members of local community groups as well as officials from the school.

The second day of our school holiday programme was an informative Science Day that was held during the second week of the holidays and was as well attended and received as the Bush Food day. Participants learnt about crime scene investigation from Peter of Fizzics Education, and performed several experiments involving real-life CSI techniques. After lunch a slime, sherbet and bubbles workshop proved highly entertaining and informative especially for the younger attendees.

On the first of our two-day school holiday programme, young people were treated to a presentation by Blake of Blake’s Bush Foods who relayed some of his extensive knowledge regarding native Australian foods. They were then given the opportunity to sample some emu meat, kangaroo, and several types of berries. After an informative bush walk, there was the chance to enjoy some unusual ice cream flavours such as wattleseed, and native raspberry.

Several students from St Arnaud Secondary College participated in our Farming Careers Day. Working with the St Arnaud Young Farmers, several activities were provided to both explain and experience what a career on the land would entail, and discuss how the students could work towards the skills and knowledge they would require. A forum allowed the students to talk with and ask questions of several farmers who graciously donated their time to this project, and in the afternoon, a tour of a working farm gave the students an introduction to the equipment and practices they would encounter if they took up farming as a career.

The St Arnaud History Mosaic Wall displays the St Arnaud History Mosaic and was constructed in partnership between St Arnaud Neighbourhood House and the Northern Grampians Shire. It is located in Market Square, St Arnaud, and is available to view at any time.

The St Arnaud History Mosaic is a large mosaic that portrays the history and community of St Arnaud. Sally Pritchard was the local artist who assisted by students from St Arnaud Secondary College, and residents who were interviewed for their memories of the town, along with others, detailed the history of the town to accompany the mosaic.

During the September 2016 school holidays St Arnaud Neighbourhood House completed the painting of the six ugly tanks located at the rear entrance to the hospital. In partnership with the East Wimmera Health Service, the tanks were transformed into a wonderland of colour, with school students painting the tanks into a Healthy Communities theme.

The lower section of the tanks is a colourful display of hands. All members of the community were invited to come down, put their hand into paint, and slap their hands onto the tanks, preserving their print and leaving a marker they can view for years to come.