By Ethan Seiderman
Mohammed Isah is a man of purpose. As the Neighbourhood House Unit Coordinator at Brimbank City Council, he leads a network of community hubs that are redefining local support in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Raised in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs, Mohammed’s path to community service was shaped by his own experiences as a migrant. “I think my passion for community arrived when I was around in year 11,” he reflects. Volunteering at a youth centre, he was struck by the challenges faced by newly arrived migrants from the Horn of Africa. “As a young boy, you get to hear a lot of things when hanging out with other young peers and you feel a little bit powerless. You can’t do anything to try to assist.”
That feeling sparked a determination: “I made a decision to get into the community service sector.”
Initially aspiring to be an engineer, Mohammed’s experiences led him to study social work, aiming to make a tangible difference in people’s lives. “Being a migrant from another country, you start to ask yourself, how may I help? How may I do this?”
Today, Mohammed’s work centres on Brimbank’s network of neighbourhood houses – community hubs offering programs ranging from job support and education to social connection for those experiencing isolation.
“Neighbourhood houses are a one-stop shop for anything and everything,” he explains. “The best part is we get to hear stories about what’s happening in the community… they get to identify those solutions and our job is to say, hey, how do we help you to bring those solutions to life?”
Each centre caters to different community needs—from supporting vulnerable families and young people to running career expos that connect job seekers directly with employers. Mohammed highlights a recent success: “Last week we had nearly 160 job seekers at a career expo… and 26 people were offered a job on the spot. I was blown away!”
The diversity and reach of these centres is impressive. From Sydenham to West Sunshine Community Centre, and even a massive community garden at Padley Park where locals without backyards can grow their own food, Brimbank’s neighbourhood houses foster connection and belonging.
For Mohammed, it’s about giving back. “I feel fortunate for the opportunities I’ve had, so it’s about how do I pay it forward?” he says. “What fills my cup is ending each day knowing I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.”
One story Mohammed recalls vividly is of a young person caught up in the justice system who found an outlet to express his musical talent through one of Brimbank’s neighbourhood houses. “They got involved in writing, creating, and expressing themselves through music,” he says. Staying connected with the neighbourhood house even through COVID, the person eventually decided to pursue a career in youth work. “Now I can confidently say that person is a full-time youth worker who also runs their own music program. It’s remarkable, isn’t it?”
Mohammed is candid about the challenges ahead. “Change requires systemic shifts far beyond local councils. I don’t write policies. I’m not state government, nor federal government.” The ethos, though, should remain the same. “Let the community lead you to what a solution looks like for them.”
A future in politics is certainly not front of mind, though. Right now, Mohammed’s focus is firmly on family. “I’ve got four kids. My youngest is three months old. So it’s about cherishing that time and seeing where it takes me.”
