Programs for Young People
On this page:
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 within 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.
Term 4 programs
Mondays
Drop in @ Oxygen
An after-school space to hang out, make friends, study, snack & find support.
For: 12 -18s
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Oxygen Youth Space
Bookings: No booking required, just drop-in.
Contact: 1800 MY YOUTH (1800 699 688)
Helping Hoops Girls Basketball Program
For: Girls 10+
Time: 4:30 pm – 6:00 pm
Location: Fawkner Community Sports Hall
Bookings: Please call Renee Clarke 0407 201 868
Tuesdays
Girls & Women-Only Boxing Classes
High-intensity boxing class for girls, women, trans, and femme-identifying individuals. Run by pro coach Stephanie Mfongwot.
For: 12 – 24s
Time: 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
Location: Oxygen Youth Space.
Bookings: Book online
Soundmakrz Music Mentoring Program
A weekly after-school music program for young musicians. All levels, all genders, all instruments.
For: Year 7 - 10 students
Time: 5:30 pm (Year 7 & 8 students), 6:15 pm (Year 9 & 10 Students)
Location: Oxygen Youth Space.
Bookings: Book online
Wednesdays
Drop in @ Oxygen
An after-school space to hang out, make friends, study, snack & find support
For: 12 -18s
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Oxygen Youth Space
Bookings: No booking required.
Contact: 1800 MY YOUTH (1800 699 688)
Amped Up Events Committee
Meet weekly with a group of peers to plan and organise live music events.
For: 12 - 25s
Bookings: Visit the Amped Up page.
Thursdays
Fawkner Fastbreak Basketball Sessions
For 12 -18s
3.15 - 5pm @ Fawkner Community Sports Hall
No booking required.
Fridays
Drop in @ Oxygen
An after-school space to hang out, make friends, study, snack & find support
For: 12 –18s
Time: 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Location: Oxygen Youth Space
Booking: No booking required.
Contact: 1800 MY YOUTH (1800 699 688)
Takeover Nights @ The Brunswick Library (Monthly)
Youth get to "take over" the library while the library is closed for fun programs and yummy food.
For: 12 –18s
Dates:
TBC
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: The Brunswick Library
Booking: Book online
Takeover Nights @ The Glenroy Library (Monthly)
Youth get to "take over" the library while the library is closed for fun programs and yummy food.
For: 12 –18s
Dates:
TBC
Time: 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Location: The Glenroy Library
Bookings: Book online
My Rainbow LGBTQIA+ social group (Monthly)
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
Time: 5:30 pm
Bookings: Book online
Saturdays
Takeover Nights @ The Coburg Library (Monthly)
Youth get to "take over" the library while the library is closed for fun programs and yummy food.
For: 12 – 18s
Dates:
Saturday 25 October
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 pm
Location: The Coburg Library
Bookings: Book online
Monday - Friday
Oxygen Jam Room for hire
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
Time: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Oxygen Youth Space
Book: 1800 699 688 or email merribekyouth@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.
Monday - Sunday
Oxygen Jam Room for hire
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
Time: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
Location: Oxygen Youth Space.
Cost: One-off practice: $6.70 per hour,
or a 3-month membership is $76 (includes 1 x weekly three-hour session)
Book: 1800 699 688 or email merribekyouth@merri-bek.vic.gov.au.
School Holidays
Free activities and workshops during the school holidays.
Book your spot at the Merri-bek Youth Eventbrite.
Gigs, Events & Festivals
Merri-bek Meltdown 3
Saturday 20 September.
Fawkner Festa
Youth Zone + Makers Market
Sunday 26 October.
Sydney Road Street Party 2026
Youth Zone
Sunday 1 March.
Annual opportunities
Pool Lifeguard training
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.
For: 17 - 24s
Bookings: 2025 dates have closed.
Youth Ambassadors (12 - 24s)
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: 12 - 24s
Bookings: 2025 dates have closed.
For Students
Student Placements & Work Experience
For Schools
Our team is excited to run engaging workshops and activities, either at your school or right here at Oxygen Youth Space. We currently offer the following:
- Intro to Oxygen Youth Space
- Intro to Leadership
- Intro to Public Speaking
- Intro to Resilience & Confidence
- Social Awareness special event, for example:
- lunch time activities at your school
- incursions, ie, Youth Projects Mental Health. - Design your own!
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.
Bookings: Please email merribekyouth@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call 1800 MY YOUTH (1800 699 688).
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: