Our programs

What is Amped Up?

Amped Up is a Merri-bek youth program where a group of young people aged between 16 and 24 plan and organise live music events that take place in Merri-bek.

This program is a part of FReeZA, which is an innovative youth development program initiated by the Victorian Government. This program enables young people to lead the planning, development and delivery of music and cultural events in their community, and for young attendees to enjoy fully supervised drug, alcohol and smoke-free events.

As one of 80 state-wide providers, Merri-bek City Council's FReeZA program, Amped Up, provides important performance opportunities for local musicians and emerging artists to showcase their talent.

Previous events organised by Merri-bek's Amped Up group include the Oxygen Stage at the annual Sydney Road Street Party, Move On Be Strong, Faraway stables, halloween parties, Oxygen movie nights, Flicks and Kicks at Harmony Park, DJ events in schools, Oxygen's Christmas parties, Amped Up goes Acoustic, and the Push Start Competition's local and regional finals. Our team has also assisted at Sunplugged festival Peppertree Place in 2014, Recognise Festival, Brunswick Better Block Party, Splashfest featuring Camp Cope, It Starts with Us and R We Ok?.

Amped Up 2020 to 2021

Originally the plan for 2020 was that the Amped Up team would be responsible for producing, promoting and evaluating five music/cultural events within the Merri-bek municipality. But like many others we were held back from this goal by COVID-19 and health advice and restrictions.

In March 2020 Amped Up were able to have their own stage at Sydney Road Street Party. Due to COVID-19 this was the only live event the group were able to host in 2020.

After COVID-19 restrictions began, the Amped Up team began bringing youth-led ideas online. This included Amped Up TV on the @ampedupfreeza instagram account, and their very own zine. These ideas helped to support artists, musicians, local youth and the general community.

In 2021 the Amped Up team hopes to get back to hosting live events. We are already meeting face to face again, but are mindful of restrictions.

If I joined Amped Up, what would I get to do?

Being a member of the Amped Up team requires a significant level of commitment. In exchange for this committment, each member gets the opportunity to develop event management skills and connections with the music industry with support and guidance from the Merri-bek Youth team.

Members of Amped Up meet up weekly at Oxygen Youth Space (4/8 Gaffney Street, Coburg North). At these weekly meetings you will get to develop your skills in an extensive range of areas including:

• choosing and contacting performers

• designing promotional material, such as flyers and social media posts

• sound and production

• photography and design

• managing budgets

• organising sound engineers and other suppliers

• organising risk management procedures

• stage management

• running an event's front of house (such as selling tickets, handing out programs and recruiting for new members)

Members of Amped Up also run events on the day, including managing performers, suppliers and crew and solving any problems that arise.You can find out about us and our upcoming gigs at the Amped Up Facebook page and on Instagram through our @ampedupfreeza account.

What are the time committments for Amped Up team members?

There is a significant level of committment involved with being a member of Amped Up, but in exchange you get invaluable experience in the live music industry. If you are considering joining the team, you will need to commit to attending:

• At least 80% of weekly meetings (these meetings stop over the school holiday periods)

• All Freeza events and training opportunities

When does the Amped Up team meet?

Our team for Amped Up meets regularly every Tuesday (excluding school holidays) from 4pm to 5:30pm in the Icicles Studio at the Oxygen Youth Space.

Want to find out a bit more about Amped Up?

If you're interested in Amped Up we're here to help answer any questions you may have or give you some more insight into what being a part of the team is like and what our members do.

You can contact Nicolaas Oogjes who is our Amped Up worker Nicolaas Oogjes at noogjes@moreland.vic.gov.au or by calling us on 0438 832 397.

Information for potential performers at an Amped Up event

We love supporting local artists (soloists, electronic artists, hip-hoppers, rappers, djs's and bands alike) by giving them the opportunity to showcase their skills at our events. Along with our annual Push Start Battle of the Bands event, we are always planning new opportunities for Merri-bek artists to perform at Amped Up events.  If are interested in performing at an Amped Up event and want to find out what's coming up, you can email noogjes@moreland.vic.gov.au or give us a call on 0438 832 397.

Registering for the Amped Up team

Before you register we ask that you read through the information above, particularly the section about the time committment for Amped Up members as we need a team that will commit to being there for our meetings and to run the events we plan.

Amped Up are always looking for new members. If you are between 16 and 24 and interested in the arts and supporting the community, we'd love to meet you.

If you think this is the right team for you, you can register by emailing our Amped Up worker Nicolaas Oogjes at noogjes@moreland.vic.gov.au or by calling us on 0438 832 397.

Our female-only boxing classes are designed as a complete workout for the body and the mind. With our instructors you can work up a sweat while having fun in a relaxed and friendly environment. These boxing classes are run by Victorian and Australian champion Stephanie Mfongwot, who will tailor each of our workouts so they are accessible for all skill levels.

Registering to attend a class

In order to attend one of our female-only boxing classes you will need to register. This allows us to make sure we have the right amount of equipment and space set up for everyone.

If you'd like to attend one of our classes please register using our google form.

When are the classes?

Our female-only boxing classes take place on Wednesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, during the school term.

Where are the classes held?

These classes are held in our multipurpose room at Oxygen Youth Space (4/8 Gaffney Street, Coburg North).

Who can attend?

This is a female-only class, so we ask that only female-identifying young people between the ages of 12 and 24 years old attend.

You do not have to have any prior boxing experience to join in with us, we welcome anyone from beginners to experts.

What should I bring to the class?

Make sure to wear exercise friendly clothing and bring a drink bottle and a towel.

Do I have to pay for the class?

This is a completely free class so you don't have to pay to attend.

Looking for more information?

If you'd like to get more information or ask any specific questions about these classes we are more than happy to help yopu out. You can contact Steve Huf by email at shuf@moreland.vic.gov.au or you can speak to a member of our team by calling 9389 8645.

Active Merri-bek is an initiative developed by Merri-bek City Council to make it easier for more people to be more active more often. They run a number of youth specific programs and also have information about sporting clubs where young people can get involved with a particular sport.

Active Youth

Icicles Studio is our rehearsal, recording and podcasting studio at Oxygen Youth Space. Membership for the studio is available for young people aged 12 to 24. There is a weekly rehearsal membership option. You can also access performance and promotional opportunities.

One of the great things about our studio is that is has a dedicated back-line. This means that you don't have to bring in amps or drum kits.

We also run beat making, sound production and other workshops at the studio. Details for these workshops are on our events page. You can also stay up to date by following the @iciclesstudio instagram account.

To find out more you can email Nic Oogjes at noogjes@moreland.vic.goc.aup call us on 0438 832 397.

We run a number of online programs for young people which were more important than ever in 2020 for keeping young people connected and giving them an outlet to express themselves and their talents.

Best Bad Jokes: sharing our best jokes on Facebook and Instagram

Do you have one of those dad jokes that is so bad but so funny?

To help us lighten up and have a laugh, we are looking for you to send us your "Best Bad Joke". Each week's winner will be awarded with a prize and their submission will be posted on our Instagram account @morelandyouth and on our Facebook feed for everyone to enjoy.

To submit your entry you can email Mim at mbilander@moreland.vic.gov.au or call us on 9389 8645. You can also get in touch with us to find out more information.

Picture Perfect: sharing artistic work on Instagram

Want to share your creative and artistic work?

Picture Perfect is a chance for the young people of Merri-bek to share their creative photos, poems, music or artwork to help keep each other inspired and share creative ideas. Each week we will share a piece of work that was submitted on our Instagram account @morelandyouth and the artist/s of the shared piece will be awarded with a prize.

Please note: to protect people's privacy we will not be accepting artwork that includes footage or photos of people.

To submit your entry you can email Mim at mbilander@moreland.vic.gov.au or call us on 9389 8645. You can also get in touch with us to find out more information.

Amped Up TV: online music performances, interviews and more

Our youth led music committee, Amped Up, have transitioned their all-ages, event production work online. The team would like to announce their new initiative "Amped Up TV". Expect online performances, interviews and other fun videos by emerging young talent and your favourite big acts.

You can access Amped Up TV on the @ampedupfreeza instagram account.

To submit a performance for Amped Up TV you can email Nic at noogjes@moreland.vic.gov.au

If you're interested in finding out more about the Amped Up team, check out our Amped Up production web page.

Icicles Studio: online beat making and sound production tutorials

Icicles Studio is providing online beat making and sound production tutorials. We have studio professionals delving into and explainign the things that you need to know to create sick beats and master new or different recording and mixing techniques.

Details for these workshops are on our events page.

To find out more about Icicles Studio you can email Nic at noogjes@moreland.vic.gov.au

At Merri-bek Youth we are committed to the ongoing professional development of students preparing for a career in Youth Work. We provide opportunities for placement for university students as well as placement/work experience for secondary students.

Professional placement program for university students

We provide an exciting ‘hands on’ Professional Placement Program (PPP) for third year university students who are currently enrolled in a bachelor of Youth Work Course to assist with their studies and help them gain practical experience.

Oxygen youth functions as both a venue for program delivery and a drop-in space for young people from 3pm to 5:30pm, Monday to Friday, and attracts approximately 20,000 visits annually.

In collaboration with Universities, we will provide students with relevant and meaningful experience and give them the opportunity to work directly with young people and gain essential skills.

What kind of experience will students get?

All students who participate in the PPP will get to:

• Plan a Youth Engagement Program
• Deliver a Youth Engagement Program
• Evaluate a Youth Engagement Program
• Supervise drop-in sessions with other staff members

What other opportunities are a part of this program?

Other opportunities when available will include:

• Attending Network Meetings
• Contributing to Policy Development
• Assisting with Funding Applications
• Industry Training and Development
• Research and Presentations
• Observation

How to apply

For more information eligibility, how to apply and intake periods please review our Professional Placement Program brochure for 2021.

• Professional Placement Program Booklet 2021 (PDF)

You can also contact us for more information by emailing oxygen@moreland.vic.gov.au or calling us on 9389 8640.

Placement and work experience for secondary students

We do also provide placement/work experience for Secondary students. If you are interested in finding out more about these placement and work experience opportunities for secondary students you can contact us at oxygen@moreland.vic.gov.au or call us on 9389 8640.

Moreland Youth Ambassadors

The Merri-bek Youth Ambassadors are a group of 12 young people aged between 12 and 24. They are from Merri-bek, and have diverse cultural backgrounds and gender identities.

The young people in this group aim to build links to the Merri-bek community. They also want to offer input into the decision making of their local council.

In this program the group gets to discuss, debate and solve issues that are important to them.

Some of the goals of this program are to:

• Create links between young people and the community
• Be the voice of young people in Merri-bek to assist in Council decision making
• Discuss, debate and solve issues that are important to them. These can be either practical or an aspiration.
• Provide Council and other organisations with their thoughts on policies and projects
• Create and put in place a series of youth-led projects. Then report to Council on these projects.

Moreland Youth Consulants

Alongside the programs we offer at Merri-bek Youth, there are also a number of external youth programs run in the Merri-bek community.

Singing and music workshops with Outer Urban Projects (OUP)

These singing and music workshops are run by Outer Urban Projects (OUP). At these singing and music workshops young people have the chance to work with professional tutors across a range of performing genres, including dancehall, break and hip hop, rap and beatbox, singing, writing, music and spoken word. Develop social, creative and life skills, collaborate with artists and other young people and get a start in the performing arts industry.

Who are Outer Urban Projects?

Outer Urban Projects is a not-for-profit youth arts performing arts company that creates new forms of contemporary performance imagined from the life experiences of young emerging artists from the outer northern suburbs. They give voice to the unexpressed aspirations and creative potential of ghettoised, culturally diverse emerging artists whose origins span five continents.

Beat boxing and rap workshops

This free program is focused on rap and beat box tutorials with MC Yung Philly.

Who can attend: 13 to 27 year olds. No experience necessary. All welcome.

When is it held: Mondays during the school term.

Where is it held: Oxygen Youth Space, 4-8 Gaffney Street, Coburg North

Cost: Free

How to register: If you're interested in joining in with this workshop you can register by calling Outer Urban Projects on 9350 6517. You can also register by visiting the Outer Urban Projects website and completeing their online form.

Singing tutorials

This free program is focused on singing turorials with Stephen Valeri.

Who can attend: 13 to 27 year olds. No experience necessary. All welcome.

When is it held: Tuesdays during the school term.

Where is it held: Oxygen Youth Space, 4-8 Gaffney Street, Coburg North

Cost: Free

How to register: If you're interested in joining in with this workshop you can register by calling Outer Urban Projects on 9350 6517. You can also register by visiting the Outer Urban Projects website and completeing their online form.

Other Outer Urban Projects workshops

Outer Urban Porjects also hold workshops for Hip Hop and Breakdancing weekly in Reservoir and Hip Hop Dance workshops in Broadmeadows. Visit their website for more information on any of the workshops run by Outer Urban Projects.

 

YGLAM Queer Youth Theatre

YGLAM Queer Youth Theatre group is a prgram delivered by Merri Health. It is a great place to flex your creative muscles and to be a part of creating some of the most powerful and important youth focused LGBTQI+ theatre in Melbourne. YGLAM is for everyone, no matter whether you were born to perform on a stage or want to work with the backstage team.

Registering for YGLAM

If you're interested in being involved with YGLAM, either on stage or backstage, then get in touch with Merri Health.

You can register or find out more about this group by emailing Russ Pirie for Merri Creek Communittee Health at russp@mchs.org.au

You can also find out more and check out some of what this group has been up to on the YGLAM Facebook page.

YGLAM Queer Youth Theatre 2020 to 2021

In 2020 YGLAM collaborated with Safe Schools Coalition Victoria to create an exciting new theatre piece with the aim of building safer, more inclusive schools for young people. 

YGLAM moved to online delivery in 2020 due to COVID-19. They are hoping to return to face to face delivery in 2021, but are mindful of restrictions.