The Victorian Neighbourhood House movement was born in the early 1970s during the Whitlam era of significant social change. It grew out of local community need, particularly the isolation of women in the community, with a vision to bring people together and enhance the opportunities of people and communities. Another initial emphasis was to provide an informal, non-threatening and nurturing environment that supported individualised learning. The Emerald Community House (ECH) began in 1974 - one of the oldest continuously running incorporated community houses in Victoria. The State Government changed service providers for the ECH in 2025. The previous service providers have donated records of the ECH during its long history including this certificate. Like the other neighbourhood houses, the ECH began its life mainly relying on volunteers with just a small amount of government funding until 1986 when the Victorian government began the provision of secure, recurrent funding to neighbourhood houses.The Emerald Community House has been a significant and valued contributor to community life since its inception in 1974.Certificate awarded to the Emerald Community House (ECH): Premier's Sustainability Award 2022, Finalist in Sustainable Places and Destinations - Community Champion.certificate, emerald community house, premier's sustainability award, 2022

An overview of activities and achievements during the past financial year. Articles in annual report include: increasing need for services and sustainable funding models, closure of Paul Cullen Centre in Roselands due to changing to government legislation, refurbishment of Enfield office and renaming of client services area to Paul Cullen Centre, upgrade of recording studios from analogue to digital, commitment to creation of national blindness agency and reduction of costs due to de-duplication of library and production services, winning the TDK Audio Book of the Year with "The God of Small Things" and Trish Trinick Prize for Best Narration for the same title, winning the Premier's Award for Macleay Argus Talking Newspaper Service, held our first Recreation Expo, expansion of Sensory Playroom, and profiles of clients Jamahl, Natasia, Ros and Cliff. Narrated by James Bean.1 MP3 of RBS Annual reportroyal blind society of nsw, annual reports, nastasia campanella, paul cullen centre, roselands nursing home, john chatterton, ros martin, james bean