Taylors Hill Youth and Community Centre, and Hillside Community Centre have started the year strong after being nominated as finalists in the 2024 Neighbourhood House Vic Awards for delivering programs that promote gender equity and wellbeing.
The annual awards recognise and celebrate the valuable work of neighbourhood houses at a state-wide level.
Taylors Hill Youth and Community Centre has been nominated for the Fiona Richardson Award for Gender Equity for its Women in Business and Entrepreneurship project (WIBE), which recognises projects that promote participation, support and opportunities, and celebrate the diversity of girls and women.
The WIBE project, delivered in partnership with the Multicultural Association of Community Empowerment (MACE), addressed gender inequality amongst Indian women in Melton in the areas of economic empowerment, education, social connection and wellbeing.
More than 500 local women participated in the program, which included workshops, business coaching, and education and training support.
Meanwhile, Hillside Community Centre has been nominated for the Good Health and Well-Being award for its Ageing Artfully Art Project.
The project provided a platform for seniors to come together, reflect upon, and paint their experiences of ageing well in their community. Participants engaged in a series of workshops, resulting in the creation of artwork that was displayed in a pop-up exhibition as part of Melton council’s 2024 Seniors Festival celebrations.
Melton mayor Steve Abboushi congratulated the two community centres on their nomination.
Winners of the awards will be announced in March.
