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Hawthorn Community House Inc. (HCH) is an independent, incorporated entity.

It was first established in 1976 when the William Street house was purchased by the City of Hawthorn, with the intention that it be used as a meeting place for community groups.

The original cottage was extended in 1985 to include a class 2 Childcare Centre. At that stage the House ran playgroups, Childcare and a variety of community and art activities.

From 1988 the House expanded its scope to include many educational, recreational and social support activities and gained funding for a migrant support worker to outreach to the non English speaking background (NESB) population of Hawthorn and to establish English as a Second Language (ESL) classes.

The Adult Community and Further Education Board (ACFEB) approached the House in 1992, to become an Adult Community Education provider. Consequently, HCH established a Literacy and Access program.

In 1996 the Propagator's cottage at 32 Henry Street became vacant and the City of Boroondara renovated this property and made it available to the new Hawthorn Community House Inc.

Both houses are fully utilised, with the William Street house now dedicated as a Family Centre, providing an occasional childcare program, playgroups and a variety of parent support activities.

HCH was first established in 1976 when the William Street house was purchased by the City of Hawthorn

In 1996 the Propagator's cottage at 32 Henry Street became vacant and the City of Boroondara renovated this property and made it available to the new Hawthorn Community House Inc.

Since 1998 HCH, has provided arts based activities for special needs groups. It also establisged vocational and support activities for unemployed and isolated members of the community in addition to existing educational and recreational programs.

HCH is now a Registered Training Organisation with a number of accredited courses on its Scope of Registration.

A Committee of Management manages Hawthorn Community House Inc. Its strong infrastructure sets yearly objectives enabling HCH to extend and develop services to accommodate the needs of the Community.

Acknowledgements

Hawthorn Community House is supported by The Committee of Management, staff and tutors.

Also a generous thank you to The City of Boroondara, Adult Community Further Education (ACFE), the Department of Human Services (DHS), the Department of Victorian Communities and to our wonderful volunteers and benefactors.