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 (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 April 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.
Employment Skills Workshops: Our 2025 Employment Skills Workshops are now complete for 2025. This year we ran RSA, First Aid training and Pool Lifeguard courses.
Find Your Niche Program: Our Find Your Niche Program is underway for the September school holidays. Programs included Pottery at Dean Marsh, Mosaics at Light Box Torquay, Pot Painting at Winchelsea and Floral Arrangements at Anglesea. All programs are run by professional artists. To sign up, visit the the Surf Coast Youth Linktree.
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. This year we have partnered with Lorne P-12 to deliver an Indigenous Garden.
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