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Programs for Young People

Merri-bek Youth is here for you – a free local service all about supporting young people.

We’re all about creating safe and welcoming spaces where you can relax, meet new people, get involved in your community, and pick up new skills along the way.

You’ll find our team out and about every day – running programs and workshops in schools, hosting events and consultations at local festivals, and hanging out at Oxygen Youth Space, ready to listen, support, and help however we can.

Behind the scenes, we collaborate with youth services and community organisations, and we advocate in council to help make Merri-bek a place with more youth-friendly spaces and opportunities.

We welcome all young people from diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.

Our September School Holiday Program is here!

Book your spot at the Merri-bek Youth Eventbrite.
Poster for Merri-bek City Council Teen School Holidays program, titled “Teen School Holidays – Good Vibes.” It lists activities from 22 September to 3 October, including:  Basic Car Maintenance (22 Sep, Oxygen)  Baking Bliss (22 Sep & 1 Oct, Oxygen)  Intro to Singing & Songwriting (23 Sep, Glenroy Hub)  Screen Printing (24 & 29 Sep, Oxygen)  Zine Making with Frances Cannon (25 Sep, Brunswick)  Fawkner Game Time (25 Sep & 2 Oct, Fawkner Sports Hall)  Intro to Embroidery with Yen (30 Sep, Glenroy Hub)  3x3 Basketball Tournaments (1 & 2 Oct, Coburg)  Karaoke Party (3 Oct, Oxygen)  The poster has bright graphics, QR code for bookings, Merri-bek Youth contact details, and social media icons.

Monday 22 September

Basic Car Maintenance @ Oxygen Youth Space, 12-4 pm

Monday 22 September

Baking Bliss @ Oxygen Youth Space, 1-4pm

Tuesday 23 September

Intro to singing & songwriting with special guest facilitator Ximena Abarca! @ Glenroy Hub, 1-4 pm

Wednesday 23 September

Screen Printing Tote bags @ Oxygen Youth Space, 1-4 pm

Thursday 25 September

Self-Love Zine Making @ Counihan Gallery, 1-3 pm

Thursday 25 September

Fawkner Game Time @ Fawkner Community Sports Hall, 1-3 pm

Friday 26 September

Public Holiday - No session.

Monday 29 September

Screen Printing Tote bags @ Oxygen Youth Space, 1-4 pm

Tuesday 30 September

Intro to embroidery with special guest facilitor Yen @ Glenroy Hub, 1-4 pm

Wednesday 1 October

Baking Bliss @ Oxygen Youth Space, 1-4 pm 

Wednesday 1 October, Thursday 2 October

3 x 3 Basketball tournament @ Coburg Basketball Centre 
Register at https://coburgbasketball.org.au/basketball-programs
*costs apply 

Thursday 2 October

Fawkner Games @ Fawkner Youth Space, 1-3 pm

Friday 3 October

Karaoke Party @ Oxygen Youth Space, 1-4 pm

Register now at the Merri-bek Youth eventbrite.

Term 3 programs

Mondays

Drop in @ Oxygen (Drop-in Services)
An after-school space to hang out, make friends, study, snack & find support
For 12 -18s
3pm - 5pm @ Oxygen Youth Space
No booking required.

Helping Hoops Girls Basketball Program (Sport & Health)
For girls 10+
4.30 - 6pm @ Fawkner Community Sports Hall
Please book by calling Renee Clarke on 0407 201 868

Tuesdays

Girls & Women-Only Boxing Classes (Sport & Health)
For girls, women, trans and femme-identifying folk 
For 12 - 24s
5.30 - 6.30pm @ Oxygen Youth Space.
Please book here

Soundmakrz Music Mentoring Program (Music)
An after-school music program for musicians in Year 7-10
6pm @ Oxygen Youth Space.
Please book here

Wednesdays

Drop in @ Oxygen (Drop-in Services)
An after-school space to hang out, make friends, study, snack & find support
For 12 -18s
3pm - 5pm @ Oxygen Youth Space.
No booking required.

Amped Up Events Committee (Music)
Plan and organise live music events
For 12 - 25s
To find out more, or join, please visit the Amped Up page

Thursdays

Fawkner Fastbreak Basketball Sessions (Sport & Health)
For 12 -18s
3.15 - 5pm @ Fawkner Community Sports Hall
No booking required.

Fridays 

Drop in @ Oxygen (Drop-in Services)
An after-school space to hang out, make friends, study, snack & find support.
For 12 -18s
3pm - 5pm @ Oxygen Youth Space
No booking required.

Takeover Nights (Monthly) @ The Brunswick Library (Drop-in Services)
Youth get to "take over" the library while the library is closed for fun programs and yummy food.
For 12 -18s

Friday 12 September

6 - 8pm @ The Brunswick Library 
Please book here

Takeover Nights (Monthly) @ The Glenroy Library (Drop-in Services)
Youth get to "take over" the library while the library is closed for fun programs and yummy food.
For 12 -18s

Friday 4 July
Friday 1 August
Friday 5 September

6 - 8pm @ The Glenroy Library, Glenroy Community Hub
Please book here

My Rainbow LGBTQIA+ social group (LGBTQIA+)
MY Rainbow is a monthly social group for local young LGBTQIA+ people, best suited for 12 to 17-year-olds. We craft, eat, talk and hang out.
For 12 -17s
5.30pm @ Oxygen Youth Space
Please book here

Saturdays

Takeover Nights (Monthly) @ The Coburg Library (Drop-in Services)
Youth get to "take over" the library while the library is closed for fun programs and yummy food.
For 12 - 18s

Saturday 7 June
Saturday 25 October

6 - 8pm @ The Coburg Library 
Please book here

Monday - Friday

Oxygen Jam Room for hire (12 - 17s) (Music)
The Oxygen Youth Space Jam room is fully equipped for soloists and groups. Plug in, turn it up, and make some noise, with access to a full backline, amps, microphones, and more.
For 12 - 17s
9am - 5pm @ Oxygen Youth Space.
Please book by calling 1800 699 688 or emailing merribekyouth@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Monday - Sunday

Oxygen Jam Room for hire (18- 24s) (Music)
The Oxygen Youth Space Jam room is fully equipped for soloists and groups. Plug in, turn it up, and make some noise, with access to a full backline, amps, microphones, and more.
For 18 - 24s
8am - 8pm @ Oxygen Youth Space.
One-off practice: $6.70 per hour, or a 3-month membership is $76 (includes 1 x weekly three-hour session)
Please book by calling 1800 699 688 or emailing merribekyouth@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Monday - Sunday

Glenroy Jam Room for hire (16 - 24s) (Music)
The Glenroy Jam Room is a free space for working on sound and audio-visual creative projects, suitable for rehearsals, workshops, and instrument practice. Plug in, turn it up, and make some noise, with access to a selection of instruments including guitars & drums. The space also features a professional podcasting station for 4 people to record at a time. 
For 16 - 24s. New users must be inducted into the space.
Glenroy Library hours @ the Glenroy Community Hub.
Please book by calling 1800 699 688 or emailing   glenroyjamroom@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

School Holidays

September School Holiday Program (12 - 18s)
Free activities and workshops.
Monday 22 September - Friday 3 October 
Book your spot at the Merri-bek Youth Eventbrite.

Gigs, Events & Festivals

Merri-bek Meltdown 3 All-ages Skramz/Screamo show.

Saturday 20 September.
Follow Amped Up for more information

Annual opportunities

Pool Lifeguard training (17 - 24s) - 2025 intake has closed.
Do you want a job that saves lives, is flexible, fun, and helps people enjoy their time in the water?  Then you should apply for our free Pool Lifeguard course.
On completion of the 3-day course you will be awarded the Pool Lifeguard SISSS00111 & First Aid HLTAID003 accreditations, & the Merri-bek Youth team will support you in finding local job opportunities.

Youth Ambassadors (12 - 24s) - 2025 intake has closed.
Interested in creating change in your local community? Then apply for a role as a Merri-bek Youth Ambassador!

As a Merri-bek Youth Ambassador, you will work with a group of passionate young people to represent the voices of young people in Merri-bek.  The program runs for a total of 18 months, with weekly meetings and workshops designed to build your skills, confidence & networks, so you can create positive change in your community!

For Students

Student Placements
We are committed to the ongoing professional development of students preparing for a career in Youth Work, Community Services and Social Work.

We provide:

  • Placement opportunities for students at University and TAFE.

We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, cultures, sexualities, First Nations identities, and religions, with and without disability.

If you are interested, please email lwalsh@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Work Experience
We provide:

  • Limited work experience opportunities for secondary school students.

We welcome applications from people of all ages, genders, cultures, sexualities, First Nations identities, and religions, with and without disability.

If you are interested, please email lwalsh@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

For Schools

School engagement
We’re available to run activities and presentations at your school or the Oxygen Youth Space. 

If you are interested, please email lmatricciani@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.

Hire the Oxygen Youth Space

Your local venue for corporate events, private functions & creative workshops! Our vibrant and flexible spaces in central Coburg are perfect for a wide range of events, with easy access to public transport and parking. With breakout rooms, a ping pong table, audio-visual equipment, and a kitchenette, the venue can be set up to suit your needs - whether it’s for corporate training, wellness workshops, private functions, or community events.

Please email us at merribekyouth@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call 1800 MY YOUTH 1800 699 688 or drop by and chat with our team, Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm.

Stay up to date 

There are many ways to stay up to date with Merri-bek Youth. We promote our programs through Eventbrite, Instagram and Facebook. We encourage you to follow us on these platforms so you'll be notified as soon as we post something new:

Merri-bek Youth Eventbrite page

Merri-bek Youth Facebook page

Merri-bek Youth Instagram page