Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre
Our Mission
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Hastings Neighbourhood Services and Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre are funded by the Department of Communities and Justice (formerly Department of Families and Communities). In June 2020 this program was funded for 5 years through TEI (Targeted Early Intervention).
The Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre is a multicultural and multigenerational space that provides a range of programs, services and activities to assist the community to connect and improve overall wellbeing.
The Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre strives to deliver;
The Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre is a multicultural and multigenerational space that provides a range of programs, services and activities to assist the community to connect and improve overall wellbeing.
The Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre strives to deliver;
- community support programs
- information referrals
- build social connections
- bring the community together
What Are You Looking For?
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Food Connect |
Programs and Activities |
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Electricity Account Payment Assistance 
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L.E.A.F Service - Document Support 
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Come and Join Us |
Newsletter |
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Gamble Aware |
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Food Connect - Every Monday
WNC - Boy Scout Hall - 10.30am to 12.00pm
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Food Connect offers free rescued food to those experiencing hardship or disadvantage to ensure no-one goes without a meal. Everyone is welcome. Come and enjoy a bacon and egg roll for breakfast while waiting for Food Connect to start and have a chat to our friendly staff and volunteers. We ask for a gold coin donation on entry if you have it, but it is not necessary. Be sure to bring your own carry bags to pack your food. |
Programs and Activities
Playtime - 0 to 5 Years
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Criteria: Parents or caregivers MUST be present
Day/Time: During School Terms only Wauchope Centre: - Wednesday 9.30 to 11.00am Description: Free play activity for 0 to 5 year olds and their care givers. We provide the equipment and set it all up. Come and enjoy a fun social outing lead by Child Safe facilitators. Bookings: Not Required For more information contact Kate or Jan on 6586 4055 or email [email protected] |
Kids Club
All Young People Welcome
All Young People Welcome
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Criteria: All young people welcome
Day/Time: During School Term only Wauchope Centre: Monday 3.30pm to 5.30pm PMQ Centre: Wednesday 4.00 pm to 5.30 pm Description: Bookings: Not Required |
Women's Wellbeing
Women Aged 18+
Tuesday 10.00am to 11.30am
Women Aged 18+
Tuesday 10.00am to 11.30am
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Day/Time: During School Term only
PMQ Centre: Wednesday's 5.30pm to 7.00pm Description: A free program for women looking for some timeout to reflect, socialise, learn how to take better care of themselves and enjoy some relaxing-nourishing activities. It is a safe environment for women to explore things such as: mindfulness, creativity, breathwork, meditation, self-reflection, self-care, habit stacking, nutrition and movement. Bookings: Are essential as numbers are limited |
Strength in Motion - ILC Program
For Women Aged 18 +
Monday 12.00pm to 1.00pm
For Women Aged 18 +
Monday 12.00pm to 1.00pm
To register your interest in this program please contact Grace on 0457 331 359 or follow the attached link to complete the registration form.
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Day/Time: During School Term only
PMQ Centre: Wednesday's 5.30pm to 7.00pm Description: All Abilities Pilates The ILC team have been fortunate enough to partner with Gerry from Pilates with Gerry who will facilitate a 45 minute Pilates class each week that is completely FREE for all participants. There will also be space held each week after the class for participants to socialise and share some nutritious snacks. All you need to bring is yourself, a drink bottle and a willingness to learn - we will provide the rest. Bookings: Are essential as numbers are limited |
Men's Chill n Chat - ILC Program
For Men Aged 18 +
Wednesday 4.30pm to 5.30pm
For Men Aged 18 +
Wednesday 4.30pm to 5.30pm
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Day/Time: During School Term only
Wauchope Centre: Wednesday 4.30pm to 5.30pm PMQ Centre: Wednesday 5.30pm to 7.00pm Chill & Chat is a free program designed to be a safe space for men to come together, play some games, socialise and enjoy a cooked meal. This is an all-abilities program that is open for anyone who may be experiencing mental health struggles, living with disability, supporting someone living with disability, experiencing social or physical barriers or anyone seeking extra 'me time' to work on their physical and social wellbeing. Bookings: Not Required |
Information Linkages and Capacity Building Programs
Term 1 Programs - Check Out the ILC Page for More Details
Term 1 Programs - Check Out the ILC Page for More Details
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4YP Drop In - 12 to 16 Year Olds
Coming Soon
New Program Coming
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance
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What Is EAPA?
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) helps people experiencing difficulty paying their energy bill because of a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency.
An eligible hardship, crisis or emergency may include:
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) helps people experiencing difficulty paying their energy bill because of a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency.
An eligible hardship, crisis or emergency may include:
- loss of income
- unexpected medical costs
- natural disaster (flood, bushfire, or drought)
- receiving a disconnection letter.
How it Works
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you live in NSW and all of the following apply:
You're not eligible if:
What you need
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you live in NSW and all of the following apply:
- you have an electricity or natural gas account for your home in NSW
- you're the account holder (the account and bill must be in your name)
- you have not paid your most recent bill
- the bill you need help with is for an account that is still open
- you're having a short-term financial crisis or emergency and finding it hard to pay your recent energy bill.
You're not eligible if:
- you're billed as an embedded network customer (this includes some strata plans, retirement villages and residential parks)
- you receive your gas supply through LPG bottles (you may be eligible for a gas rebate instead)
- the bill you need help for:
- has already been paid in full, or less than $50 is owing on the bill
- is for a business account or non-residential account
- is for a previous home or a different retailer to the one you are with now
- is from a retailer that is not registered for EAPA.
- you're not the account holder or you do not have authority to act on someone else's behalf.
What you need
- 2 proof of identity documents (such as Australian driver licence, Medicare card, passport)
- a copy of your current electricity and/or natural gas bill (It cannot be a reminder notice)
- Centrelink Income Statement or pay slip
- documentation of proof of crisis
If you would prefer to apply directly on-line to Services NSW - click the link below
Contact your Retailer
After you have applied online, you should call your energy retailer straight away to let them know you have applied for EAPA. Your retailer cannot disconnect you while you’re waiting to be assessed for EAPA. You can also ask them what assistance they can offer you, such as payment options, switching energy plans, or starting a hardship plan. We will call you in around 2 to 6 weeks to assess your eligibility.
After you have applied online, you should call your energy retailer straight away to let them know you have applied for EAPA. Your retailer cannot disconnect you while you’re waiting to be assessed for EAPA. You can also ask them what assistance they can offer you, such as payment options, switching energy plans, or starting a hardship plan. We will call you in around 2 to 6 weeks to assess your eligibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
When To Apply For EAPA?
When you should talk to your energy retailer;
The criteria of your bill must have money owing means;
What does your Energy Account Is Open mean?
The bill you need help with must be for your current home address and with the same energy retailer.
You will not be eligible for EAPA if the bill is a final bill or for a closed energy account, in other words you have moved address or changed your retail provider.
Whilst you may not be eligible for a final bill, you can contact your energy retailer to talk about payment options if you are struggling to pay.
What is an Embedded Network?
An embedded network is when a privately owned energy network supplies multiple premises and residents within a building or site. They can supply individually or in combination, electricity and/or gas, and hot water. They are often found in strata schemes at residential apartment blocks, retirement villages and caravan parks.
Embedded networks can deliver benefits for customers, including lower bills and the ability to share solar energy costs across multiple premises. In some cases, embedded networks customers do not have access to the national consumer protections and support available to those in more traditional energy supply arrangements. Talk to your energy provider if you do not know if you are in an embedded network.
If you live in an embedded network, you will not be eligible for EAPA, however you may be eligible for other help so contact your energy provider to ask about available options to help you pay your energy bill.
Can you apply for someone else?
You can submit an application for someone else if that person is not able to apply, even if your name is not on the bill.
We will need to speak to them to confirm you can act on their behalf or they can complete an Authority to Act form. They will also need to contact the energy retailer to arrange permission for you to discuss their account.
Where can I get an Authority to Act form?
You will be sent the Authority to Act form to complete once you have applied.
When To Apply For EAPA?
- You may be eligible for EAPA if you live in NSW and you're experiencing difficulty paying your energy bill due to a short-term financial hardship, crisis or emergency.
- You can go to Services NSW website and apply for EAPA online.
When you should talk to your energy retailer;
- Contact your energy retailer to let them know you are having trouble paying your bill and you are applying for EAPA
- It is important to contact your energy retailer, so they do not disconnect you while you are waiting to be assessed for EAPA
- Energy retailers must have hardship programs to help customers manage their bills so don't be afraid to ask for their help. You can ask your energy retailer for an extension or a hardship/payment plan and about other support they can provide
The criteria of your bill must have money owing means;
- You cannot get EAPA if you've paid your bill in full
- You must have at least $50 owing on your bill
- If you've already paid your bill, you may be eligible for other help
- Contact your energy retailer to ask about your options to help you stay on top of your bills
What does your Energy Account Is Open mean?
The bill you need help with must be for your current home address and with the same energy retailer.
You will not be eligible for EAPA if the bill is a final bill or for a closed energy account, in other words you have moved address or changed your retail provider.
Whilst you may not be eligible for a final bill, you can contact your energy retailer to talk about payment options if you are struggling to pay.
What is an Embedded Network?
An embedded network is when a privately owned energy network supplies multiple premises and residents within a building or site. They can supply individually or in combination, electricity and/or gas, and hot water. They are often found in strata schemes at residential apartment blocks, retirement villages and caravan parks.
Embedded networks can deliver benefits for customers, including lower bills and the ability to share solar energy costs across multiple premises. In some cases, embedded networks customers do not have access to the national consumer protections and support available to those in more traditional energy supply arrangements. Talk to your energy provider if you do not know if you are in an embedded network.
If you live in an embedded network, you will not be eligible for EAPA, however you may be eligible for other help so contact your energy provider to ask about available options to help you pay your energy bill.
Can you apply for someone else?
You can submit an application for someone else if that person is not able to apply, even if your name is not on the bill.
We will need to speak to them to confirm you can act on their behalf or they can complete an Authority to Act form. They will also need to contact the energy retailer to arrange permission for you to discuss their account.
Where can I get an Authority to Act form?
You will be sent the Authority to Act form to complete once you have applied.
L.E.A.F Service
Bookings Are Essential
We are NOT able to provide this service on a walk-in basis
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What is the L.E.A.F Service?
Letters, Editing and Forms Service Do you need assistance with your personal documents and forms and on-line profiles? This is a free administrative support service providing assistance to read, sort, complete, understand and write your documents or forms manually or digitally. This is not a legal advice service. We can help you with a variety of services such as;
We can also assist by Creating a My Gov Account for you and then linking other services to your My Gov Profile;
This service is available at all three of our Centre's Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre - 6586 4055 Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre - 6583 8400 Lake Cathie Community Hub - 0408 194 947 |
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Do You Have an Enquiry?
We are here to help so feel free to make contact with us by either:
- calling the Wauchope Neighbourhood Centre on 6586 4055
- send an email to [email protected]
- or submit your enquiry using the form below
Hastings Neighbourhood Services
We embrace diversity and welcome all.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
We acknowledge and pay cultural respect to the Biripi people – the first custodians of the land we live and work on today.
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Incorporated as Port Macquarie Neighbourhood Centre since March 1978
Trading as an Australian Business No: 89592910624 since July 2000 Copyright HNS
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