Our Community House is a co-working space in North Melbourne for not-for-profits, social enterprises and purpose-driven organisations.
Home to more than 400 people working across the social sector, it brings together organisations of all sizes to share facilities, collaborate and learn from one another.
Managed by Our Community, one of Australia's leading social enterprises, Our Community House offers flexible co-working, dedicated desks and private offices in a modern, sustainable and inclusive workplace.
More than just office space, it's a place to build connections, exchange ideas and work alongside organisations committed to strengthening communities.
History
Our Community House was established by social investor Carol Schwartz AM and Our Community founder Denis Moriarty with a simple idea: create a workplace designed specifically for organisations working to strengthen communities.
Rather than asking not-for-profits and social enterprises to make do with unsuitable office space, they set out to create a modern, sustainable and welcoming workplace where organisations could work alongside one another, share ideas and build new partnerships.
Located at 552 Victoria Street, North Melbourne, Our Community House opened in 2020 and is now home to more than 400 people working across the social sector. Today, it continues to provide flexible workspace for organisations committed to creating positive social impact.
Philosophy
Our Community House is designed around the belief that co-location of people from diverse backgrounds working on diverse problems can result in financial savings and increased efficiency, as well as opportunities for collaboration and innovation.
The development of Our Community House has been informed by the ethos of its lead tenant, Our Community, whose Manifesto states:
We believe in the power of the community sector
We believe in human capital
We believe in equality
We believe women have equal rights to leadership roles
We believe technology is a key to accelerating our reform agenda
We believe laughter is good
We believe work can be a place to make friends for life
We believe business is good and can do good
We believe treating people with respect gains respect
We believe mayhem is not only healthy but critical.
Tenants
Our Community is the lead tenant at Our Community House, locating at the new building its 60 staff serving the organisation’s numerous enterprises, including SmartyGrants, GiveNow, the Institute of Community Directors Australia and Funding Centre.
Our Community is a long-established social enterprise, whose paid products and services cross-subsidise a range of free and heavily subsidised services for not-for-profits. You can read more about Our Community here.
Our Community House also serves as headquarters for WISE Employment, a not-for-profit employment services provider with offices in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.
Our Team
The Our Community House team is the secret sauce that makes the building buzz. Our Community House team members are passionate about giving members the best workplace experience possible while driving forward the social agenda that makes this initiative so unique.
Denis Moriarty
The Our Community House team is led by Our Community Founder and Group Managing Director Denis Moriarty. Denis has a strong background in executive management in both the public and private sectors.
Kathy Richardson
Kathy is Our Community’s Executive Director and Chaos Controller. She works alongside the Group Managing Director to oversee the organisation's many enterprises, and helps to lead reforms and new business directions.
Eden Rose
Eden is the powerhouse behind Our Community House. There’s not a nook or cranny in the building or a detail of its operations that escapes his attention. Eden is excited to establish and surround himself with a vibrant community of social sector organisations everyday.
Gabriele Sorge
Gabi is the Community Manager at Our Community House which means she’s a one-stop-shop for all things communication, memberships and even a good ol’ chat. Gabi is a passionate about art and fashion who shares the same values and drive as the social sector members she works so closely with.