• The strength of Coonara comes from the diverse nature of the people who come here.
• We respect each other’s differences, ideas and values.
• We seek to create a welcoming atmosphere of friendship and acceptance.
• We foster a safe environment, encouraging consideration and tolerance.
• Our actions and behaviour reflect a sense of honesty and responsibility towards the community.
• We respect the confidentiality and privacy of all information entrusted to us.

Coonara Community House will provide a supportive environment that inspires confidence and innovative learning, creating a resilient and inclusive community.

(Taken from the Rules of Incorporation endorsed in May 2015)

• To foster a safe, supportive friendly environment which inspires personal confidence and empowerment for individuals to reach their potential.
• To encourage skill development and personal growth through a range of services and activities.
• To assess community needs and provide opportunities for people to participate in activities which are relevant and financially accessible to all.
• To assist people to build pathways by providing education and Training programs, promoting the notion of lifelong learning to enhance quality of life.
• To provide a forum to promote awareness and understanding of community issues leading to the action which will enrich our community.
• To act for the public benefit and benevolence with activities aimed at relieving suffering and distress as well as providing opportunities to reach potential

2013 Eastern Metropolitan Region Learn Local Legend Award
2012  Adult Learning Provider of the Year - Adult Learning Australia
2011  Victorian Learn Local Outstanding Organisation Award - finalist
2009  Finalist Innovation in ACE learning Victorian Adult Community Education Awards
2006  Eastern Metropolitan Adult Community and Further Education Provider of the year
2006  Finalist Outstanding organisation Victorian Adult Community Education Awards

Community Houses, sometimes known as Neighbourhood Houses or Learning Centres, originated in the mid 1970’s as a response to the community’s need for a meeting place to break down isolation, a place to share resources and a place to learn new skills. The number of Houses grew rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s to over 200 in Melbourne and over 300 in Victoria alone. Currently there are more community houses than McDonalds stores in Victoria (2012).

Community Houses aim to increase the life opportunities of their local communities by providing education, support, childcare, sharing of resources and access to networks in a warm and caring environment.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Coonara Community House is registered with the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) (www.asqa.gov.au) as a provider of accredited training. This means that an accredited course you complete with CCH carries the same status as the same course at any other registered training institution, such as TAFE, college or private training organisation. Accredited training delivered by CCH is recognised Australia wide.

At a Community House we focus on the needs of individual learners, work with smaller class sizes and make a concerted effort to encourage adults who may lack confidence. At CCH we offer generous terms for the payment of fees, and we are able to refer learners to a wide range of support services in the local community. Our tutors specialise in adult learning and have a philosophy that sees learning as a shared process in which all adults have a range of skills and talents which may be shared with others in the class.

Click here to view our certificate of registration.

Click here to view our email regarding confirmation of re-registration.

CCH is a nationally recognised training organisation (RTO) and as such is subject to regular audits of its policies and procedures to ensure that our students receive the best possible outcomes.

CCH has a comprehensive Policy and Procedure manual which may be viewed by any member of the House. Please speak to Reception if you would like to view the current policy and procedure manual.

In brief the following policies or procedures will impact on your time with us as a student or activity participant at the house:

• Privacy Policy – together with the Information Collection Statement details how we handle your personal information and who we will disclose it to.
• Conduct and discipline – what is expected, and what happens if you breach expectations.
• Certificate issuing – original and replacement certificates
• Tutor management
• Complaints and appeals – what to do, how the process works
• Emergency procedures - who is in charge, what to do, where to meet
• Compliance with legislation– identifying the key Acts and Legislation that impact on the operations of CCH which include the Education and Training Reform Act together with subsequent amendment Acts, aspects of the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research and National Skills Standard Council (or as may be invoked under any subsequent names).
• USI Privacy Notice

Should a student require duplicate information or replacement certificates, they must provide a written request containing details of:

• The course undertaken with the Centre
• Course commencement date and/or year (as close as can be estimated),
• Details of their name and address at the time of participating in the course.
• Proof of identification must be shown to the House Coordinator who is to initial the written request that this has been sighted.  Note – Proof of change of name may be required.
• Payment of a $50 fee is payable in advance of a replacement certificate being prepared.

A duplicate certificate should be prepared, in accordance with the result indicated by our records, within two weeks of the written request.

Please note - Coonara is a perfume and aftershave free zone. This has been implemented for the comfort of allergy sufferers. Thank you for your support.