Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre Inc

16/06/2026

Only $300 to go! 🧡

We've been blown away by your generosity. Together, our community has raised $1,200 — and with matched giving, that's already $2,400 on its way to Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

But we need one final push to unlock the full $3,000.

💛 A $5 donation becomes $10
💛 A $20 donation becomes $40
💛 Every dollar you give is doubled — until we reach our goal

Your donation helps people learn English, find employment, access food relief, build friendships, and become part of a welcoming community.

Can you help us close the gap? 👇
🔗 https://cnlc.org.au/donate-local-you-can-help/

Tax deductible. Every dollar makes twice the difference.

16/06/2026

We're excited to launch Growing Healthy Communities – a free six-week workshop series funded by VicHealth and hosted by Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

If you're a university student with an interest in gardening, sustainability, food security or resilient food systems, this is a great opportunity to learn through hands-on experience in our thriving community garden in Carlton North.

Across six weekly sessions you'll:

🌱 Learn practical food-growing skills
🌿 Explore sustainable and resilient food systems
🤝 Connect with like-minded students and community members
🍅 Share ideas, stories and experiences in a welcoming environment

The program is led by our Garden and Food Systems Coordinator, Nesbert Kagonda, with guest facilitators Jemma Stefanou, Dave Goodman, Lilah Benetti and Isabella Raco, who each bring their own expertise and perspectives.

Attend one session or join us for the full six-week series—it's completely up to you.

This program is proudly funded by VicHealth as part of our commitment to building healthier, more connected and more resilient communities.

Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/growing-healthy-communities-tickets-1991424688852

If you know a university student who would enjoy this opportunity, we'd love it if you shared this post.

10/06/2026

The surveys keep telling us the same thing. People are lonelier than ever, and young people most of all. You can have a thousand followers and still have no-one to call when your car breaks down. A direct message is not a cup of tea. A heart emoji is not someone sitting beside you on a garden bench while the kettle boils.

This is where Neighbourhood Houses do something remarkable. They are places where people actually meet each other. A cooking class. A knitting circle. A chess game. A walk around the vegie garden. Someone new showing up for the first time and being offered a biscuit. These are small things, and they are everything.

[Pictured, Jaime - All Abilities class facilitator]

Six years of my working life were spent in Aotearoa New Zealand campaigning against pokies with the Problem Gambling Foundation. What I learned sitting with people whose lives had been hollowed out by those machines has stayed with me. 

09/06/2026

Until 30 June, every donation to CNLC is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $1,500. A $50 gift becomes $100. A $100 gift becomes $200. Twice the work, while the matched funds last.

Last year, community members from more than 48 countries walked through our doors, and behind every one is a story.

A woman who arrived in our All Abilities program non-verbal now catches the tram to class with the friends she made here. A refugee midwife is rebuilding the qualifications she needs to deliver babies again. A father cleared his fines and found a stable home for his family.

These stories happen because of supporters like you. Last year, every $1 invested in CNLC returned $3.91 in value to our community. 88% of our participants made new friends. 96% say they feel they belong.

Give now and double your difference: cnlc.org.au/donate

Every donation of $2 or more is tax-deductible. 💚

09/06/2026

One of the groups that formed from our Climate Voices program is hosting a movie screening and event this Sunday at CNLC. See details below.

Hi all, the Plasticless People campaign are hosting a film screening THIS SUNDAY 11am-1pm at the CNLC.

We got a grant at the start of the year to run some community awareness raising events and this is our first event to kick off our campaign! Very exciting and thankful for Tony’s and Yarra City Council’s support.

We’d love for you to all come along and support our campaign and help raise community awareness of this important issue. There will be a short discussion after the film and free food!

Annie

https://events.humanitix.com/community-film-screening-the-plastic-detox

04/06/2026

A few weeks ago our Alive and Active All Abilities program sewed these delightful creatures with the help of Jaime and Claire!

26/05/2026

Today marks Eid al-Adha, a time of prayer, reflection, generosity and celebration, Eid al-Adha brings communities together to share meals, support those in need, and honour the values of compassion, gratitude and care for one another.

At Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre, we are proud to be part of a diverse and vibrant community, and we extend our warmest wishes to all those celebrating this special occasion with family, friends and community.

🌙 Eid al-Adha Mubarak!

25/05/2026

24 participants graduated from our Climate Voices (Program 5) last night, and what an inspiring group they were.

[ We are also taking applications for Program 6 that starts in a few weeks - apply here: https://forms.office.com/r/fTViehNNEa ]

Over the program, participants came together to develop four campaigns focused on creating practical local change:

• Encouraging a Council to introduce a Heat Emergency Plan to better protect communities during extreme heat events.

• “Nurture Your Nature Strip” – a campaign calling for a Council awareness campaign and support for households to plant and green their nature strips.

• Advocating for political parties in Victoria to commit to a $25 million annual Climate Resilience Fund, allowing local grassroots community groups to access funding to strengthen communities against climate emergencies.

• Calling for more frequent — and electric — bus services in Melbourne’s west, an area facing disadvantage and limited public transport options.

The ideas, leadership and passion shown by participants throughout the program have been incredible. Real change often starts with local people identifying challenges in their own communities and taking action together.

Congratulations to all 24 graduates. We’re excited to see where these campaigns go next!

21/05/2026

What a fabulous gathering of volunteers from across Yarra’s nine Neighbourhood Houses yesterday, hosted by Fitzroy Neighbourhood House. A marvellous celebration of volunteer contribution across our neighbourhood house community, with Cr Sarah McKenzie and Cr Kenneth Gomez joining us for an afternoon of food, music, art making and community connection. Volunteers are at the heart of everything our houses do, and it was wonderful to come together to celebrate them.

14/05/2026

This Pipino melon self seeded and grew in our garden! Delicious, sweet and aromatic - a refreshing, juicy blend of honeydew melon and cucumber flavors.