Surf Coast Youth

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What's on 2026

To keep up to date on what we have on offer for the 12-25 -year-old crowd, check out the pages below and be sure to follow ‘Surf Coast Youth’ on Instagram or like the Surf Coast Youth Facebook page. Information and registrations can also be found the Surf Coast Youth Linktree. You can also contact us on 5261 0600 or email youthdevelopment@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

 

Amplify - This program is funded by the Victorian Government 

 Amplify is a music and arts program and will run a combination of 6 events and professional trainings in 2026. The program is lead by multiple youth committees across the shire. 

The proposed 2026 calendar is under development but is expect to include:

- Dean Marsh Festival 

- Anglesea Art Exhibition

- Torquay Multi Arts Centre Gig

- Lorne Market Stage

- Amplify Summit Collingwood MELB

- TBC

Fortnightly committee meetings are held at Torquay Youth Centre and at Lorne P-12. Committee meetings are held in other townships as required. To join the committee, take a look at the Amplify tab and complete the online form.  

Contact Damian Obrien for more information: dobrien@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

 

Engage! - This program is funded by the Victorian Government 

Torquay Youth Space: is located in Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre in Torquay North. It is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 3pm – 5pm during school terms. The Youth Space is open to all young people aged 12 - 25 years and two youth workers are always present in the space. 

Torquay Youth Space Social Story(PDF, 8MB)

Youth for Climate Program and Celebration Event: In 2025 we partnered with Common Ground to deliver a fantastic program. The program involved opportunities for young people to increase connections between each other as well as the local environment, climate groups and the wider community. The program consisted of a number of in person workshops that allow young people to do practical and theory based learning and engage in hands on climate adaptation action. Click to watch the videos from 2021 and 2023. We expect to run a similar program in the April school holidays. Keep an eye on the Surf Coast Youth Socials to stay up to date.

Employment Skills Workshops: Our 2025 Employment Skills Workshops consisted of RSA, First Aid training and Pool Lifeguard courses. These programs were open to under 25 year old community members and we partnered with Lorne P-12 and Surf Coast Secondary. Our Employment Skills Workshops typically take place in the middle of the year. 

Find Your Niche Program: Our 2025 Find Your Niche Program ran in the September school holidays. We partnered with local artists to deliver programs in Deans Marsh, Anglesea, Lorne and Torquay. Art programs included pottery, mosaics, floristry and painting. This program is again expected to run in the September school holidays. Keep an eye on the Surf Coast Youth social media channels for sign up opportunities. 

Primary School Year 6 Transition Workshops:  Surf Coast Youth staff (alongside Larry the therapy dog) will deliver evidence-based wellbeing workshops to year six students transitioning to year seven. The workshops focus on managing stress and emotions during what can be a challenging transition to high school. The workshops aim to equip young people with easy to use tools to manage their emotions, and provide preventative and protective measures for mental health. 

Contact Anna Smart, asmart@surfcoast.vic.gov.au, for more information on the Engage! program. 

 

Victorian Youth Fest - This program is funded by the Victorian Government 

For the 2025 Youth Fest we have partnered with Lorne P-12 to deliver an Indigenous Sensory Garden. Funding for 2026 has not been announced.  

Stay tuned for more info and don't hesitate to reach out if you want to be part of the fun! 

 

General

School Holiday Youth Space Pop Ups (See social media for times and locations)

Parenting Education Programs, see parent education tab for more information.

Schoolies Harm Reduction Response, check the schoolies tab for more information. 

Youth Network Meeting Surf Coast Region: Two network meetings per year for professionals and agency staff. Contact jpearson@surfcoast.vic.gov.au for more information.  

 

Specialist Mental Health and Alcohol and Other Drug Services at Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre

Surf Coast Shire partner with Meli, Drummond Street and Orange Door to deliver the following services.  

Thursday - Meli: Family Drop-in 

Friday - Orange Door

Friday - Drummond Street Rainbow Youth Support

Schoolies

Torquay and Lorne are popular locations within the Shire for school leavers to celebrate. We want young people to have a fun experience on the Coast whilst respecting the townships and native flora and fauna.

Surf Coast Youth Survey Results 2025

More than 1000 young people aged 10 - 25 completed the 2025 Surf Coast Youth Survey.

Find out how our young people responded(PDF, 3MB)  

 

Engage!

The Engage! program is ran to work with young people to develop and deliver activities that engage young people in the their community. Engage! covers a range of topics for young people including; mental health and wellbeing, connections to the community, employment skills and the environment. 

Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government.

Youth Spaces

Torquay Youth Space

The Torquay Youth Space is a space where young people are welcome to hang out on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 3pm-5pm during the school terms. Located within Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre the Youth Space has a range of activities for young people, these include; table tennis, electric drums, a range of guitars, board and card games and free Wi-Fi. 

Youth Space Social Story(PDF, 8MB)

Youth Pod 

The Surf Coast Youth Pod is a mobile container that is transported throughout the region to offer support to young people. It is a hang-out space for youth and is a place to connect with the Youth Team.

Youth Pod opening dates, times and locations will be posted on the Surf Coast Youth Facebook Page.

youth pod

Amplify

Amplify is a youth development program which aims to provide Music, Art and Skate/BMX opportunities for young people aged 12-25.

Amplify encourages young people to form committees that organise drug, alcohol and smoke free events and training for other young people in their local communities.

If you are interested in joining your local committee, performing at an event or just want more information about the Amplify program, please fill out the form below or email youthdevelopment@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Amplify is funded by the Victorian Government.

Surf Coast Youth Strategy 2022 - 2025

Parent Education

Surf Coast Youth partners with a variety of agencies and services to bring parent education to our region. Our partners included Meli, Drummond St Services, Geelong Regional Parenting and Headspace.

Click for the latest Parenting Calendar. 

Can't access this PDF? Contact Geelong Regional Parenting Service

Drummond St Logo.png

Click for Drummond Street Parenting Calendar

 

 

 

 

 

Need Support?

If you need help and support regarding youth issues, the following links can be useful:

  • Reach Out
    info on mental health issues, success stories and a community support forum
  • Youth Drug Support
    drug support info, chatline, news, fact sheets, an interactive poll, a forum, ask health professionals confidential questions
  • Kids Helpline
    Phone: 1800 55 1800
  • Youth Central
    School Leavers info, jobs & careers, money management, studying, relationship advice, safe parties
  • Headspace Barwon
    info on mental health and tough times - if you're 12-25, you can get health advice, support and info