Surf Coast Youth

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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 - This program is funded by the Victorian Government 

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

2023 Events and Trainings

Aireys Open Mic FReeZA Stage - March

FReeZA Stage Cowrie Market - April 

FreeZA Summit Collingwood Melb - April 

Next Gen Art Exhibition Anglesea - June | July

A Fragrant Experience at the Torquay MAC -  July

Upcoming: Re-grouse the Dolls House - 1st September, Lorne

Upcoming: YMCA Skate League Comp - 16th September, Torquay

Upcoming: FReeZA Artist Public Relations and Social Media Workshops - Term 4 

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.  

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, 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 partnered with Common Ground Project at Freshwater Creek to deliver the program this year. The program ran in the April school holidays. What the event film via the link: https://youtu.be/HK2x2TGmbo0

Teen Mental Health First Aid: We are delivering Teen MHFA for 12 to 18 year olds in Surf Coast 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 were run in the April school holidays: Torquay: White Card | Anglesea: RSA | Lorne: Food Handlers | Winchelsea: First Aid. Keep an eye out for our 2024 schedule. 

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

Youth Fest is coming up in September and we're excited to announce that Rainbow Connections will be part of it.
If you're between 12-25 and looking to connect with other young people from the rainbow community, this is for you.

Plus, we're painting a mural at the Torquay Youth Centre as part of the program.
Stay tuned for more info and don't hesitate to reach out if you want to be part of the fun!

Email: dobrien@surfcoast.vic.gov.au for more information. 

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. 

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 - Meli: Family Brief Intervention Counselling with Kate

Thursday - Meli: Family Drop-in with Tina

Friday - Meli: Step Up, Building Healthy Relationships 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. 

Engage! is funded by the Victorian Government.

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

FReeZA is funded by the Victorian Government.

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 Meli, Drummond St Services, 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
  • 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