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Amplify (Formally FReeZA) - This program is funded by the Victorian Government
FReeZA will hold a combination of 6 events and professional trainings in 2025. The program is lead by multiple youth committees across the shire.
Proposed 2025 calendar under development.
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.
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, 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 2024 we partnered with Common Ground to deliver a fantastic program. Plans are being developed for 2025 with the program co-designed with young people who have an existing interest in the environment to incorporate their ideas and interest areas. The program will involve opportunities for young people to increase connections between each other as well as local environment and climate groups and the wider community. The program will consist 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.
Employment Skills Workshops: in 2024 we ran the following workshops, Torquay: White Card | Anglesea: RSA | Lorne: Food Handlers | Winchelsea: First Aid. This year we will continue to collaborate with external providers to deliver short courses that enhance young people’s hospitality skills and increase their employment opportunities. Tourism, hospitality and trades are the largest employment sectors in the Surf Coast. We have 130 registered cafes and restaurants. In May 2021, Council declared a key worker crisis. It would be great to give young people the skills to make the most of employment opportunities locally. Keep an eye out for our 2025 schedule via checking our Linktree on Instagram.
Finding Your Niche Program: Surf Coast Shire will collaborate with external providers to deliver the ‘Finding Your Niche’ program. This will involve running several ‘taster’ workshops for young people to engage in a range of different activities where they will be able to find an activity they enjoy and are passionate about that has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Program in development. Times and dates TBC.
Primary School Year 6 Transition Workshops: Surf Coast Youth staff (alongside Larry the therapy dog) will deliver evidence-based wellbeing workshops to year sixes transitioning to year seven. The workshops focus on managing stress and emotion during what can often be a challenging transition to high school. Our 2021 Surf Coast Youth Census revealed that COVID, mental health, anxiety and coping with stress were the top four issues of greatest concern for our young people. In response to these concerns, the workshops aim to equip young people with accessible tools to manage their emotions, and provide preventative and protective measures for mental health.
Contact youthdevelopment@surfcoast.vic.gov.au, for more information on the Engage! program.
Victorian Youth Fest - This program is funded by the Victorian Government
Youth Fest is coming up in September. Last year we partnered with Anglesea Art Space to run a youth exhibition and it was fantastic. More information to follow closer to the date.
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.
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
Thursday - Meli: Family Drop-in
Friday - Meli: Step Up, Building Healthy Relationships Program