Springvale Neighbourhood House

The interpretive sign at Springvale Neighbourhood House forms part of the Spirit of Enterprise Trail, which tells the story of the Enterprise Migrant Hostel and the Springvale community’s effort to welcome and support the hostel’s 30,000 migrant and refugee residents. 

Opened in 1984, the Springvale Neighbourhood House was established for the empowerment of the culturally diverse community and to provide a meeting place for self-help groups. It provides services and assistance for newly-arrived migrants and refugees, a meeting place for community cultural groups, and a place of safety and support for individuals. 

In a community that welcomes new settlers from all over the world, the ‘House’ helps people overcome their feelings of social isolation by encouraging connection to others and facilitating integration into the culturally diverse Springvale community. It is part of an extensive and unique network of settlement and support services in Springvale. 

Initially a project of the Springvale Community Aid and Advice Bureau, the Springvale Neighbourhood House was built through an unemployed youth project whose participants constructed the bricks for the building with clay from a local quarry. 

The tree inside the building symbolises growth, protection and the Australian landscape. It was harvested from the property of a local Councillor by the young people who were building the ‘House’.

During the years 1984 to 1992 many of the cultural groups who arrived the Enterprise Hostel in Springvale made contact with the Springvale Neighbourhood House and, with its assistance, established support groups for their emerging communities which enabled them to settle successfully in the local community. Many of these people are still involved with the ‘House’.

To this day, Springvale is a testament to how innovative thinking, positive attitudes and a warm welcome can build a strong, cohesive and vibrant community. 

“I loved the Neighbourhood House and took the idea back with me and set them up in the villages” – Amelia Sello, who returned to her country after many years in Australia.

“Springvale Neighbourhood House is our second home” – Multicultural Women’s Group.

“I came with a heavy heart to Australia and found a welcome and much information at the Neighbourhood House’ – a refugee man.

Learn more about the Spirit of Enterprise project by walking the Spirit of Enterprise Trail and watching the video here.