Whittlesea Community Connections

30/08/2026

27/08/2026

A big congratulations to everyone who recently completed our Community Services Pre-Accredited Learn Local course! 👏

Throughout the course, participants explored career pathways in the community services sector while developing practical workplace, communication and language skills.

From understanding workplace expectations, privacy, and confidentiality to practising case notes, emails, and forms, participants have taken important steps toward further training and employment.

We’re especially proud to see participants recognise the valuable strengths they already bring, including their cultural knowledge, languages, lived experience and connections with diverse communities.

Congratulations to all our graduates! 🎓

24/08/2026

What a fantastic afternoon of connection, conversation and collective action! 🌿
We were thrilled to welcome 48 people, representing community organisations, local groups, government and our local community, to come together and help shape the next steps for WCAN.

We were also delighted to welcome Lily D'Ambrosio MP and Cr Jarrod Lappin - Mernda Ward to celebrate this important milestone with us.

During the afternoon, we shared key findings from our Community Voices on Climate & Wellbeing survey, followed by a meaningful group discussion to identify priorities and begin shaping the WCAN Action Plan.

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their ideas and contributed to the conversation. Your voices will help guide WCAN's next steps. 💚

Thank you to representatives from Community House, Friends of the Earth Melbourne, City of Whittlesea, Climate Action Merri-bek, Darebin Climate Action Now, Asians for Climate Solutions, Melbourne Arboretum, Lalor Landcare, No Northern Incinerator Group and Mernda Neighbourhood House for being part of the day.

We also acknowledge Greater Melbourne Foundation for making this work possible.

And a special thank you to Food Collective Café & Catering for the fantastic catering on the day!

24/08/2026

Need help navigating services, accessing support or finding ways to get involved in your community?

Join us for a free Community Information Session in Donnybrook and chat with our friendly team about:

✔️ Centrelink forms and applications
✔️ Creating a myGov account
✔️ Setting up the Service Victoria app
✔️ Applying for a Utility Relief Grant
✔️ Community services and local support
✔️ Volunteering opportunities

📅 Thursday 27 August 2026
⏰ 11am–1pm
📍 Murnong Community Centre, 181E Olivine Boulevard, Donnybrook

Language support will be available in English, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi. Morning tea and light refreshments will also be provided.

Register here : https://forms.cloud.microsoft//Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=VPldRhMFeky1TnLc2BxKy1ikzVHbLKNGigXKppN2re5UQ1FGNUo4STdQUUQzWjUyVzMwTkw3VDY4OC4u&fromie=true
or scan the QR code.

Supported by the City of Whittlesea .

24/08/2026

Great to see our Food Collective Café & Catering team catering for 50 people at the Whittlesea Climate Action Network Community Survey event! 🥗

Every order supports training and employment pathways for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Need catering? Check out Food Collective Café & Catering.

21/08/2026

Know someone looking to build their skills and find work in hospitality? 🍽️

Registrations are now open for Term 4 of Food Collective’s free Hospitality Training and Employment Program.

Please share this opportunity with anyone in your network who may benefit.

Looking for a job in hospitality? 🍽️☕

Registrations are now open for Term 4 of our FREE Hospitality Training and Employment Program!

Over 10 weeks, you’ll gain hands-on experience in Food Collective’s café and catering kitchen, build practical hospitality skills and receive support to help you prepare for employment.

The program is designed for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds living in the Cities of Whittlesea and Hume who are looking to build their skills and find work in hospitality.

📅 5 October to 12 December 2026
⏰ Applications close Friday 18 September

👉 Read more and apply:https://www.whittleseacommunityconnections.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Hospitality-Training-Course-Term-4.pdf

The program is made possible with support from the Scanlon Foundation.

19/08/2026

Proud of our Food Collective Café & Catering team!

160 freshly prepared meals, packed and ready to go.

Every catering order supports training and employment pathways for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds.

Planning an event? Support a social enterprise and cater with Food Collective.

19/08/2026

There is still plenty of time to book and join us!

🌱 Join us for the launch of the Whittlesea Climate Action Network Community Survey results!
Come along to hear what our community shared, exchange ideas and connect with others who care about local climate action.
📅 Saturday 22 August 2026
🕛 12pm–3pm
📍 Food Collective Café, Building B, Melbourne Polytechnic, Epping
🥗 Lunch provided by Food Collective Café
Everyone is welcome. Register here: https://events.humanitix.com/whittlesea-climate-action... or scan the QR code to join the conversation!

(photo: FoE Victorian Election Climate Convergence 2026)

19/08/2026

Proud to see our Food Collective Café & Catering officially certified by Social Traders! 🌱👏

Food Collective is about much more than great food. Through the café and catering, we create practical training and employment pathways for young people and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds who face barriers to employment.

This certification is a great recognition of the social impact being created through every order, event and catering opportunity.

Congratulations to the Food Collective team!

We’re excited to share that Food Collective Café & Catering is now officially certified by Social Traders.

This means Food Collective is recognised as a verified social enterprise creating positive community impact through our work.

Alongside serving fresh, culturally diverse food, we create training and employment pathways for young people and people from migrant and refugee backgrounds who face barriers to employment.

So when organisations choose Food Collective for catering, they’re also supporting a social enterprise doing good in the community.

19/08/2026

Looking forward to this Saturday! 🌱

A great opportunity to hear what our community has to say about climate action in Whittlesea, connect with others and explore what we can do together.

Join us at the Food Collective Café — everyone is welcome! 💚

👉 Register now: https://events.humanitix.com/whittlesea-climate-action-network-community-gathering-and-survey-launch?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0e5cbht5&fbclid=IwY2xjawTx1qRwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMXZKbnBsclp5SHBHdXVoakhzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe5IF_iwiro1rKzVnjnk7Rs-4xiCYi1Bo6fywuJN6CA8hgEgxybVdlcQT3-tQ_aem_CkSlExCgcGoqvnWSs0BxFw

A community gathering to launch survey results, celebrate local voices, and co-create a Community Climate Action Plan.