What is Castlemaine Community House?
Castlemaine Community House (CCH) is a vital and much-loved community hub—a welcoming place for young and old, where visitors can make connections, learn new skills, participate in community activities, receive free financial advice, bring a community group together, share a meal and much, much more. From men’s cooking to social prescribing, from youth engagement to yoga, from art classes to digital literacy, and from Pride Picnics to Spring Balls—CCH helps to build and sustain our amazing community.
Friends of CCH
In 2025, CCH turns 40! As part of our birthday celebrations, we’re launching a new initiative—a new way to show your love and support for Castlemaine Community House—Friends of CCH.
How can I support CCH?
Support from friends of CCH allows us to keep program costs low, offer free and accessible venue hire, and maintain a free food pantry—ensuring our services remain inclusive and available to everyone in need.
Keep reading to find out more about the services we provide and how becoming a Friend of CCH can help keep our doors open—or DONATE below.
| Good Friend | $5 per month | $60 annual |
| Great Friend | $10 per month | $120 annual |
| Best Friend | $20 per month | $240 annual |
| Best Friend Forever | $50 per month | $600 annual |
| Community Superhero | $100 per month | $1,200 annual |
What does CCH do?
Adult Education
In 2024, over 650 people participated in CCH’s education and course offerings, 200 of which were pre-accredited training programs supporting people to build skills for further employment, education, volunteering or upskilling.
Get Connected Social Prescribing
CCH provides support for over 100 people through our social prescribing program, Get Connected, which collaborates with local health services to support people with psychosocial disabilities or those experiencing loneliness to connect with social activities across the Shire.
Community Lunch and Christmas Lunch
CCH serves over 4,100 meals a year to community members—every Tuesday throughout the term. In 2024, CCH staff and volunteers served Christmas lunch for over 300 people on Christmas Day.
Youth Programs
CCH serves over 4,100 meals a year to community members—every Tuesday throughout the term. In 2024, CCH staff and volunteers served Christmas lunch for over 300 people.
Castlemaine Pride
CCH runs Castlemaine Pride, a community-led project that organises inclusive events throughout the year, bringing together thousands of people to celebrate and platform LGBTQIASB+ community members.
Community Food Pantry
In 2024, CCH supported 50–60 people per week with essential food pantry items, including:
500 kg of fresh produce and pantry items to local families and community members
40 emergency food buckets.
CCH’s program Growing Abundance also redirects 4,000–5,000 kg of produce to community organisations and food relief programs each year.
Seniors Festival
CCH is a hub for community advocacy, engagement and connection. More than 45 community groups meet at CCH, using the facilities to run meetings, sing, make art and plan projects that make our community a better place.
Community Wellbeing
CCH is a hub for community advocacy, engagement and connection. More than 45 community groups meet at CCH, using the facilities to run meetings, sing, make art and plan projects that make our community a better place.
Other practical support
CCH is the first port of call for a range of supports in the community, including:
- CCH hosts Services Australia/Centrelink.
- CCH runs a coat drive and offers a warm place to sit in winter and cool place in summer.
- CCH offers free tax help and financial literacy support for those on lower incomes.
- CCH is also actively involved in collaborative networks across the Shire, working closely with Mount Alexander Shire Council and other community organisations to ensure that our community’s concerns are being heard.
How is CCH funded?
CCH receives nominal funding from the state and federal governments, and project support from the local council, but this does not cover our actual running costs. This considerable shortfall is made up through course fees for our education programs, grants and donations.
When I donate to CCH, where does my money go?
CCH accepts all kinds of donations, from cash to food to volunteer labour. Depending on what form your donation takes, it may be used to keep the community food pantry stocked; put towards a particular community project or initiative, such as the community garden or community lunch; or put towards daily running costs.
Financial support allows us to keep program costs low, offer free and accessible venue hire, and maintain a free food pantry—ensuring our services remain inclusive and available to everyone in need
What is ‘Friends of CCH’?
Becoming a Friend of CCH is easy. All you have to do is choose your level of support, click on the link below and fill in your details!
| Good Friend | $5 per month | $60 annual |
| Great Friend | $10 per month | $120 annual |
| Best Friend | $20 per month | $240 annual |
| Best Friend Forever | $50 per month | $600 annual |
| Community Superhero | $100 per month | $1,200 annual |
As well as the warm fuzzy buzzy feeling you’ll get from knowing you’re supporting your local community, you’ll also get invited along to exclusive ‘Friends Gatherings’ where you’ll be treated like the community superhero you are. What’s not to love?