A place to
come together,
learn and grow.
Olympic Neighbourhood House is a not-for-profit community centre located in West Heidelberg. We are committed to delivering a wide range of adult English language, literacy and numeracy classes along with community activities. Our courses aim to increase employment opportunities, foster personal growth and wellbeing and enhance social cohesion.
Our community is diverse, with people from different cultures, beliefs, abilities, ages, sexualities, gender and identities. We are committed to inclusion, access and equity for everyone.
Donate
The end of financial year is approaching. Donate to help people in Heidelberg West and surrounds receive the support they need to reach their potential.
All donations are tax deductible.
Courses
We are committed to delivering a wide range of adult English language, literacy and numeracy classes along with community activities. Our courses aim to increase employment opportunities, foster personal growth and wellbeing and enhance social cohesion.
These courses are for those seeking a formal qualification and who want to improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing in English.
English as an Additional Language Accredited
These courses are for those seeking a formal qualification and who want to improve their speaking, listening, reading and writing in English.
These courses are for learners who are not looking for a qualification, but still want to learn some basic skills. They may assist as a pathway to further education, training and employment.
These courses are for those wanting to learn how to use a computer and are suitable also for those where English may be a second language.
These courses are for those wanting to move into further study, find paid employment or simply learn a new skill.
These courses are for those either wanting to move, meet new people or look after their health and wellbeing.
On the 30th of November, Jon Sculley from Fire Rescue Victoria joined us to provide our AMEP students with essential insights into fire safety.
Experience deep relaxation with this slow-paced practice, stretching and rejuvenating your body’s connective tissues.
Join us for a fun and relaxing day as we launch our new Seniors Social Club! Check out what we have in store.
Ever wondered what it feels like to play the harp?
Come and try A FREE lesson on Monday the 11th of November, following our Health and Wellbeing Group.
As we step into the last term of the year, we are thrilled to announce new courses coming your way, designed to empower, educate, and inspire.
Whether you're aiming to boost your career opportunities, focus on personal growth and wellness, or build stronger social connections, we’ve got a range of courses, activities and programs that fit the bill.
Join us for our Men's Meet up @ The Hub— for an opportunity to connect with other men over a chat and some good food!
R U OK? Day, is dedicated to raising awareness about mental health and encouraging open conversations. It’s a day to remind ourselves and others of the importance of checking in and offering support to those around us.
Our upcoming course is designed to teach you how to grow nutrient-rich food using regenerative gardening practices, ensuring your garden not only feeds you but also nourishes the earth.
From August to October, we had the pleasure of hosting our first Community Soup Kitchen series, welcoming everyone in the community for a heartwarming meal and even warmer company!
In a world where loneliness is increasingly recognised as a public health crisis, the role of Neighbourhood Houses is more important than ever. These centres, like ours, offer a beacon of hope, a place where individuals can find connection, support, and a sense of belonging.
We are thrilled to introduce you to our marvelous volunteer, Margaret Stewart. Margaret has been with us for over three years spreading herself across office duties, classroom volunteering and more recently conducting placements. Read more about her journey here.
On Tuesday the 16th of July, we hosted a Scam Awareness workshop for our community. During this FREE one-hour seminar, participants learnt strategies on how to protect themselves and their loved ones.
On Tuesday, the 21st of May, we had the pleasure of hosting our Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the Bellfield Community Hub. The event was a resounding success, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who made it possible.
Olympic Neighbourhood House has some funding allocated in this draft budget, but it’s helpful if it has community support. So, if you could comment, we would really appreciate it. It’s super easy and only takes a couple of minutes.
Did you know that we have three different sites? Depending on the program you choose to do, you may be located at our main Hub, Bellfield Community Hub or at Shop 48 - The Harmony Centre..
We host working bees throughout the year and deeply appreciate community members volunteering their time to help us.
Meet Norma, a vibrant 75 year, who has been an integral part of our student community for a remarkable decade!
Throughout the year we host and participate in numerous events like the Child & Family Expo. Keep your eyes peeled for upcoming opportunities to connect and participate in our community initiatives!
The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is a free service to help eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants with low English levels to improve their English language skills and settle into Australia.
Tea is more than just a beverage; it's a symbol of history, culture, and connection. In celebration of this rich heritage, we proudly host an annual Cultural Tea Ceremony Event
Our programs are for those either wanting to move, to meet new people or look after their wellbeing. Programs may incur a cost calculated as a once off fee, or on a term, semester or full year basis. If you are a concession card holder, you may be eligible for Government Subsidy. We also undertake projects in response to community needs as identified through community consultation, surveys and word of mouth.
Our activities are for those either wanting to move, to meet new people or look after their wellbeing. Most of our community activities are free or require a gold coin donation. They run on a weekly basis during the school terms.
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Testimonials
“I like learning at Olympic Neighbourhood House because the teachers are very good, kind and very patient. They have given me a lot of insight, knowledge and skills. I can use what I learn in my daily life like writing emails and doing presentations etc.” – Tina
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Testimonials
“I like learning at Olympic Neighbourhood House, because my teacher Shruti is a very nice person, who is working hard to teach us. I can use what I learn in my life, like PowerPoint to make a presentation for my Temple and I can use Zoom online to join a meeting.’’ – Tu Quynh Tien
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Testimonials
“I like learning new skills. I enjoyed working in groups with my classmates. The teachers were very helpful with explaining the topic and what was needed. With the new skills I've learnt in this class, I am able to make appointments online. I can use my computer more to do daily tasks without any help from others. The people here are very welcoming. The teachers are very supportive and are there to help you when you need it. They encourage you to do your best so you can succeed in life.” – Hawo
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Testimonials
“I like to study at Olympic Neighbourhood House because the teachers are friendly, and good at explaining. I am able to search online for grammar, the meaning of words... I am able to check currency exchange rates or the current news. I would like to bring my friends to OAE so they know more about life in Australia and can socialise.” – Chang
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Testimonial
“My name is Pai and I am studying English at Olympic Neighbourhood House and I have learnt a lot since I start classes this year. My teacher is very good and has helped me to improve my understanding of many English words and grammar that I did not know. The students in my class are all very pleasant and I have made many new friends. I hope to improve my language skills so that I can find a job and I think that I can do that with extra learning skills and help of the wonderful staff at Olympic Neighbourhood House.“ – Pai
There are many different ways you can support our work from donating to volunteering to contributing a skill to run a program. Getting involved is a great way to not only make good things happen but also to meet other people.
Hosting our Community Cultural Tea Ceremony was an enriching experience that surpassed all expectations. The event was designed to celebrate the diverse traditions centred around tea, and it became a profound journey into the heart of various cultures, bringing our community closer, one tea cup at a time.