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 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.
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
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: Monday 22 September - Friday 3 October (12 - 17s)
Free activities and workshops for 12 - 17s. Program coming soon!
Gigs, Events & Festivals
Youth Consultants Meet-Up - Thursday 31 May (12 - 24s)
Are you interested in having a say on the issues that matter to young people in our community? Join us for the first Youth Consultants Meet-Up - a space to share ideas, learn about opportunities with council, and help shape what this group could look like moving forward.
For 12 - 24s.
Thursday 31 May (12 - 24s)
6.30pm @ Oxygen Youth Space.
Please email Lillian Dunn at ldunn@merri-bek.vic.gov.au or call 0429 268 305.
Digital Audio Production Workshops - Tuesday 12, 19, 24 August & 2 September,
Wanna learn to make beats, record a band, or start a solo project? Then this course is for you! Learn to record and produce a hit song over 4 weeks with our FREE Digital Audio Production Workshops!! These workshops are perfect for young musicians, beginners, and anyone interested in learning the basics of music production.
For 18 – 24s interested in music production. All skill levels welcome!
Tuesday 12, 19, 24 August & 2 September,
4pm - 6pm @ Glenroy Hub
Please book here
Merri-bek Meltdown 3 All-ages Skramz/Screamo show - Saturday 20 September
Save the date, bands to be announced soon.
Follow Amped Up for more information
Annual opportunities
Pool Lifeguard training (17 - 24s) (Jobs & 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.
July school holidays @ Coburg Leisure Centre. 2025 intake has closed.
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!
2025 intake has closed.
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: