Corinella Community Centre volunteers after a recent Volunteer Week lunch
By Christine Slavin
EVERY Thursday, the smell of a home-cooked meal fills the Corinella and District Community Centre as volunteers prepare lunch for people from across the Waterline communities.
Some come for an affordable meal. Others come because it might be the only conversation they have that day. By the time lunch is over, new friendships have been made, community news has been shared, and nobody leaves feeling alone.
It is just one of the many ways the centre supports the community every day.
EVERY Thursday, the smell of a home-cooked meal fills the Corinella and District Community Centre as volunteers prepare lunch for people from across the Waterline communities.
Some come for an affordable meal. Others come because it might be the only conversation they have that day. By the time lunch is over, new friendships have been made, community news has been shared, and nobody leaves feeling alone.
It is just one of the many ways the centre supports the community every day.
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Covering a 25-kilometre radius along the Bass Coast waterline, the centre welcomes more than 8000 visits each year. People come for emergency food relief, help navigating services, fitness classes, gardening groups, craft sessions, volunteering opportunities — or simply a friendly face.
For many, it has become much more than a building. It is a second home. |
Corinella and District Community Centre is asking local residents to support the campaign by signing the Keep Our Doors Open petition. You can fill in the petition online or drop into the centre to sign in person. |
“I lived in the area for over 12 months and hadn’t met anyone or made any connections. Since I started volunteering at the centre, I have become involved in groups and connected with activities outside the centre. The most valuable outcome has been the network of friends I have made.”
— Karen, Corinell Community Centre user and volunteer
That value comes from volunteer contributions, reduced social isolation, emergency food relief, community services and adult education.
The food pantry has become increasingly important as the cost-of-living crisis affects more local families. What was once a service used by a small number of households now supports many more people with groceries, fresh produce and essential items.
The food pantry has become increasingly important as the cost-of-living crisis affects more local families. What was once a service used by a small number of households now supports many more people with groceries, fresh produce and essential items.
Helen and Leonie help prepare the weekly community lunch. But food relief is only one part of the story.
More than 20 regular activities each week help people stay active, learn new skills and connect with others. Volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year, supporting community lunches, the food pantry, gardening, reception, administration and events.
The centre’s impact extends well beyond its budget. Independent analysis by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria found that in 2025, Corinella and District Community Centre generated an estimated $3.73 in measurable community value for every $1 of income received.
More than 20 regular activities each week help people stay active, learn new skills and connect with others. Volunteers contribute thousands of hours each year, supporting community lunches, the food pantry, gardening, reception, administration and events.
The centre’s impact extends well beyond its budget. Independent analysis by Neighbourhood Houses Victoria found that in 2025, Corinella and District Community Centre generated an estimated $3.73 in measurable community value for every $1 of income received.
Volunteer Leanne says the centre has given her a sense of belonging since moving to the area.
“I started volunteering just two months after moving here, and it was one of the best decisions I made. Through the centre, I’ve built so many wonderful connections that I now seem to know someone everywhere I go.
“What I enjoy most is getting to know everyone who comes through the door, whether it’s helping someone who’s having a tough time, sharing a chat with someone who’s feeling lonely, or simply making people feel welcome.”
“I started volunteering just two months after moving here, and it was one of the best decisions I made. Through the centre, I’ve built so many wonderful connections that I now seem to know someone everywhere I go.
“What I enjoy most is getting to know everyone who comes through the door, whether it’s helping someone who’s having a tough time, sharing a chat with someone who’s feeling lonely, or simply making people feel welcome.”
Leanne, Vera and Lisa enjoy a knit and cuppa.
Corinella is not alone. Five neighbourhood houses across Bass Coast – including Bass Valley Community Group, Phillip Island Community and Learning Centre, Inverloch Community Centre and Wonthaggi Community Centre — provide welcoming spaces where people of all ages can learn, volunteer, seek support and build friendships.
Demand for these services is growing, but funding has not kept pace. Like many neighbourhood houses across Victoria, the Corinella centre is facing rising costs for utilities, insurance, wages and everyday operations while supporting increasing numbers of people.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has launched the Keep Our Doors Open campaign, calling on the Victorian Government to restore operational funding with a 25 per cent increase, provide ongoing funding for houses currently without recurrent funding, and invest in new houses in growing communities.
Without sustainable funding, neighbourhood houses risk spending more time fundraising to keep their doors open and less time supporting their communities.
Centre president Janice Orchard says the services provided are increasingly important.
“In this time of uncertainty, our community needs to know that they can depend on the community centre to be there for them. They rely on us for physical, emotional and sometimes financial support.
“Exercise groups help people maintain their strength, meditation, art, craft and writing groups provide friendship and emotional support, and our food pantry helps people feed themselves and their families.
“An increase in funding to an acceptable level will cost a lot less than to the government than if they have to provide funds to run these additional services without us.”
Christine Slavin is manager of the Corinella and District Community Centre.
Demand for these services is growing, but funding has not kept pace. Like many neighbourhood houses across Victoria, the Corinella centre is facing rising costs for utilities, insurance, wages and everyday operations while supporting increasing numbers of people.
Neighbourhood Houses Victoria has launched the Keep Our Doors Open campaign, calling on the Victorian Government to restore operational funding with a 25 per cent increase, provide ongoing funding for houses currently without recurrent funding, and invest in new houses in growing communities.
Without sustainable funding, neighbourhood houses risk spending more time fundraising to keep their doors open and less time supporting their communities.
Centre president Janice Orchard says the services provided are increasingly important.
“In this time of uncertainty, our community needs to know that they can depend on the community centre to be there for them. They rely on us for physical, emotional and sometimes financial support.
“Exercise groups help people maintain their strength, meditation, art, craft and writing groups provide friendship and emotional support, and our food pantry helps people feed themselves and their families.
“An increase in funding to an acceptable level will cost a lot less than to the government than if they have to provide funds to run these additional services without us.”
Christine Slavin is manager of the Corinella and District Community Centre.