Our Purpose

To build community, support people and their families and enhance choices by providing:

• A safe, warm, friendly community house that is a focal point for all people in the Southern Beaches community to meet and work together on the things they want to do, need and believe in; and as a place that promotes and celebrates community strengths and achievements.
• A program of recreational and supportive activities, programs, events, information, referral and partnerships that bring needed services into our community that will build, support and strengthen the people and families in our community.
• A responsible accountable organisation, that manages and governs the Okines Community House well, and according to the Neighbourhood House Framework and the NHT Manual, on behalf of our members, and the people of the Southern Beaches area.

Okines Community House welcomes people living in the Southern Beaches area including Forcett, Lewisham, Dodges Ferry, Carlton, Carlton River, Connellys Marsh and Primrose Sands.

We are a member of Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania (NHT) which is the peak body for the 35 Community Houses and Neighbourhood Centres around Tasmania.

We are funded by the Department of Communities and by government and community grants for specific activities.

Board of Management and Staff

Our volunteer Board is made up of local residents from across the Sorell Municipality, who volunteer their time, expertise and knowledge of the community.

Any member of Okines Community House is entitled to stand for a position on the Board of Management. The Board is elected by members at the Annual General Meeting each financial year and the Board meets monthly.

The Okines Community House Manager is accountable to the Board of Management for the financial and administrative aspects of the organisation’s day to day operation.

The Manager manages a team of dedicated staff and volunteers including an Finance/Admin Officer, Administrative/Project Officer and two Community Garden Coordinators.