Surf Coast Youth

Skate park

Youth Lounge Banner

Our shire is full of vibrant young people who do fabulous things every day. 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. You can also contact us on 5261 0600 or email youthdevelopment@surfcoast.vic.gov.au.

What's on 2023

For live updates, follow @surfcoastyouth on Instagram and Facebook

 FReeZA – Coastal Events

FReeZA will hold a combination of 6 events and professional trainings in 2023. The program is lead by multiple youth committees across the shire. 

In 2022 the following events and trainings ran:

Winchelsea Pool Party

Airies Open Mic FReeZA Stage

FreeZA Summit Collingwood Melb

Songbird Stories at the Torquay MAC

Lorne on the Lawn festival

Social media workshops

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 FReeZA tab and complete the online form. 

Possible events for 2023 could include: Airies Open Mic FReeZA Stage, Skate League Events, FReeZA Summit, Collingwood Melb, Torquay MAC event and more! 

Engage!

Torquay Youth Space is located in Kurrambee Myaring Community Centre in Torquay North. It is open Monday, Wednesday, 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. 

Youth for Climate Program and Celebration Event. We are partnering with Common Ground Project at Freshwater Creek to deliver this program. It is happening on Wednesday 11th & 12th of April. Contact mmeirelles@surfcoast.vic.gov.au for more information. 

Teen Mental Health First Aid for 12 to 18 year olds delivered in schools. If your sporting club or youth organisation would like your young people trained in Mental Health First Aid, please contact Jack Pearson: jpearson@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Employment Skills Workshops are happening again in 2023 

All course will be free and open to Surf Coast Shire residence aged 14 - 25 yrs. Course registrations are currently open. 

Torquay: White Card: 17 April: https://www.trybooking.com/CGAMN

Anglesea: RSA: 18 April: https://www.trybooking.com/CGAOS

Lorne: Food Handlers: 20 April: https://www.trybooking.com/CGHLV

Winchelsea: First Aid: 21 April https://www.trybooking.com/CGASN

Victorian Youth Fest

Arts and cultural event celebrating young peoples contribution to the industry. Dates to be confirmed.  

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. The first meeting for 2023 is on March 24. Contact jpearson@surfcoast.vic.gov.au for more information. 

New Headspace youth consulting group. If you are interested in having your say on a new Headspace near us, get in touch with jpearson@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

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

Surf Coast Shire partner with Barwon Child Youth & Family to deliver the following services. 

Tuesday - BCYF: Community Mental Health with Dan.

Thursday - BCYF: Family Drop-in Service with Tina.

Thursday - Headspace: Mates Space with Kasey.

Friday - BCYF: Step Up Program with Si.

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.

Council is part of the Good Times, Great Breaks harm minimisation strategy - see their Facebook page for more information about schoolies for parents/guardians and local residents.

2021 Surf Coast Youth Census

More than 1000 young people aged 10 - 25 completed the 2021 Surf Coast Youth Census. 

Find out how our young people responded(PDF, 1MB)  

 

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. 

Youth Spaces

Youth Lounge

The Youth Lounge 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 Lounge has a range of activities for young people, these include; table tennis, foosball, electric drums, a range of guitars, board and card games and free Wi-Fi. 

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

FReeZA

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

FReeZA 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 FReeZA program, please fill out the form below or email youthdevelopment@surfcoast.vic.gov.au

Surf Coast Youth Strategy 2022 - 2025

Parent Education

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

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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 (free call from landline)
  • 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