Minister for Local Government the Hon. Shaun Leane, Senator for Victoria the Hon. Sarah Henderson and Bannockburn & District Grants representative Brett Cunningham were joined by Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Gamble to officially open the Golden Plains Youth Hub, Milton Street, Bannockburn.
The Youth Hub project transformed a portable office building into a dedicated youth facility located opposite the Shire’s only high school, Bannockburn P-12 College. The building underwent a significant exterior and interior renovation to create a purpose-built, accessible and inclusive Youth Hub.
The $562,000 project was delivered with $271,032 from the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, $100,000 for the Australian Government’s Local Roads and Community Infrastructure (LRCI) Program, $100,000 from Bannockburn & District Grants, and Council’s $90,720 in-kind contribution of the portable building. In addition, a further $77,000 from Round 3 of the Australian Government’s LRCI Program was allocated to the interior fit out of the Youth Hub, including furniture and technology.
The Golden Plains Youth Hub hosted its first ‘come and try’ open session for youth on 22 March 2022, with a range of programs available in the April school holidays include a Smart Phone film-making course. Council’s Youth Development team has formed three youth-led leadership groups that will meet regularly at the Youth Hub in 2022: Youth Activation Committee, FReeZA Youth Events Crew and the Pride LGBTIQA+ group. The Youth Hub will be open several days a week after school and will run a wide range of interactive programs related to music, film, art, entrepreneurship and employment pathways. The Youth Development team will also continue to hold programs for young people in locations across the Shire.
The new Golden Plains Youth Hub is a vibrant facility that will provide inclusive, innovative and accessible programs and services for young people in our Shire. It will support improved health, social, education and employment outcomes, and provide stronger connections between the local community and services young people need.
A long-held vision, the Youth Hub has been delivered in partnership with the Victorian and Australian Governments, as well as local community group, Bannockburn & District Grants. We thank them for their generous commitment to supporting youth in Golden Plains Shire.
The Youth Hub has been developed in collaboration with the dedicated Community Reference Group, including community representatives from Council, Victoria Police, YMCA Bannockburn, Bannockburn District & Grants and Bannockburn P – 12 College. The group is dedicated to activating an inclusive and accessible space where a diverse range of young people aged 12 to 25 years can access the services, programs and activities they need to be healthier, happier and better connected.
Located in the Shire’s largest town and across the street from the only high school in Golden Plains, the Youth Hub is a valuable addition to the wide range of youth services that Council offers around the Shire.
Pictured above (left to right): Mayor Cr Gavin Gamble, Senator Sarah Henderson, Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane and Bannockburn & District Grants representative Brett Cunningham at the official opening of the Golden Plain Youth Hub.