Who are Valley Youth?
Our mission is to celebrate youth culture, promote equity
and participation for all young people in Moonee Valley.
At Valley Youth, young people are the centre of our work.
We are passionate to ensure young people are heard, engaged and empowered to live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Our Vision
OUR VISION IS A MOONEE VALLEY WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE THRIVING
The voices of young people guide our work, and are embedded into MV2040. This is Moonee Valley City Council’s long-term plan for the next two decades.
MV2040 was shaped by the community and the kind of future they hope for in Moonee Valley. It also considers trends, specific objectives and consultation findings from young people.
Our work will focus on the following MV 2040 Themes and Strategic Directions:
Theme: Fair
Strategic Direction 1: A city that celebrates diversity. Moonee Valley’s diverse young people are celebrated as one of Moonee Valley’s greatest strengths.
Strategic Direction 2: A city with a dynamic network of accessible community facilities and services. Young people have services that meet their needs now, and in the future.
Strategic Direction 3: A city where people are healthy and safe. Young people feel great in body, mind and spirit, feel safe, and know how to access services that help.
Strategic Direction 4: A city where residents can engage, participate and influence change. Young people are involved in community life and have a say in important decisions.
Strategic Direction 5: A city with housing for all. Young people can access safe housing.
Theme: Thriving
Strategic Direction 6: A city with opportunities to learn and work. Young people can learn, develop, get experience and get jobs.
Strategic Direction 8: A city with things to see and do. Young people can participate in the arts, sport, culture and local community-run events.
This takes over from our previous strategy, Thrive Strategy for Young People.
We ask young people who live, study, work or spend time in Moonee Valley about what makes a good life for them. We do this regularly via forums, consultations and our programs on an ongoing basis. These responses, and the Fair and Thriving Action Plans, shape the things we work on each year. Our previous report card is here Action Plan 1 Highlights - PDF but you can check out our latest report card below!
Our Statement of Commitment:
At Valley Youth we are committed to uplifting and empowering our community by providing safe, inclusive and accessible programs, activities and events for young people of all identities and abilities, particularly those who are marginalised.
We are accountable to these commitment’s by continually engaging with community and developing our practice through training as well as seeking out knowledge and resources. If you feel that there are ways we can improve our access and inclusion practices we encourage open and respectful conversation.
Our Team
Young Communities
Madi Vandersluys
Youth Participation and Projects Officer
PRONOUNS: SHE / HER / HERS
- What I do is I support our Young People's Committee, which has recently been relaunched! The Young People's Committee is a representative group of young people from Moonee Valley who provide consultation on Council matters as well as advocate on issues that affect young people. I work on projects that ensure young people have opportunities to participate and have a say in our community. I'm also working supporting the delivery of Rainbow Valley, our monthly rainbow meet ups.
- I’m into reading, seeing live music, travelling, gaming, drinking tea, caring for my plants.
- My go-to place to hang in Moonee Valley is Queens Park! This is my go to spot for having a nice walk, often coupled with having some tasty lunch under a shady tree.
- When I’m not at work you’ll find me all over! I might be hanging with friends, at a gig, cooking up a storm in the kitchen, studying, walking my dog or playing some games!
- I love working with young people because young people are capable of making big things happen. Whether it’s wider change in the community, or in their personal lives, I continue to be inspired by young people every day. Working with young people is fun, exciting and incredibly rewarding.
Madi has been a youth worker for three years, with experience in out of home care, youth mental health, homelessness and supporting local government programs. Madi loves planning and delivering programs and events where young people can make new connections, learn new skills and have fun. Madi is currently in her final year of her Bachelor of Youth Work and Youth Studies and is keen to finish up and say goodbye to student life!
Emma Phillips
Community Development Programs Officer
PRONOUNS: SHE / HER / HERS
- What I do is coordinate the L2P and DriveLink programs. Both programs match learner drivers with volunteer mentor drivers to support them to gain experience on the road and take their driving test.
- I’m into exploring new places, drinking coffee, and fostering animals.
- My go-to place to hang in Moonee Valley is Queen’s Park, or somewhere along the Maribyrnong River.
- When I’m not at work you’ll find me catching up with friends for a walk or a coffee, or trying to practise my photography.
- I love working with young people because I think every young person has so much potential, and I love their enthusiasm and creativity.
Emma joined Moonee Valley City Council in 2022. She has a background in community development and youth engagement work.
William Tremain
Youth Support Officer
PRONOUNS: HE / HIM / HIS
- What I do is support the young muso’s taking part in our Valley Sounds Studios program. Here I work with young local artists to record and mix their own original songs at Valley Youth’s own music studio. I also help facilitate the Young People’s Committee and other general programming across Valley Youth.
- I’m into making music, collaging, going for long bush walks and learning new card games.
- My go-to place to hang in Moonee Valley is Queens Park. I love soaking in the green and making friends with the ducks.
- When I’m not at work you’ll find me pointing a microphone at random things to make music with later.
- I love working with young people because I’m always learning something new! I really enjoy hearing young peoples perspectives and have big respect for the authenticity they show.
Will has a Diploma in Youth Work and experience working as both a youth worker and workshop facilitator in high school environments. Will is passionate about engaging young people with their creative potential and uses his own background in music to connect with the young people he works with.
Molly Jessop
Youth Development Officer
PRONOUNS: SHE / HER / HERS
- What I do is support our Rainbow Valley Youth Program and oversee Valley Youth's employment, education and cultural diversity portfolios.
- I’m into travelling, going to gigs and playing sport.
- My go-to place to hang in Moonee Valley is walking along the Maribyrnong River or eating out on Union and Racecourse Road!
- When I’m not at work you’ll find me going to festivals and other events, playing netball or at the gym.
- I love working with young people because I love young people's unique outlooks on life and their ability to do anything they put their minds to! I'm always impressed by young people's authenticity and love helping them find ways to express their true selves.
Molly has worked in youth work for over five years and previously worked in the live music and events industry. She has a passion for community development and enjoys developing partnerships to support young people to increase their social connection, employment outcomes and wellbeing.
Alex Veljanovski
Youth Development Officer
PRONOUNS: SHE / HER / HERS
- What I do is support our Avenue Productions crew to run creative events in the local community and develop their skills. I also do lots of other bits and bobs like school engagement, our school holiday program and social media.
- I’m into reading, making art and adventuring.
- My go-to place to hang in Moonee Valley is Parco Ramen. Queen's Park is a close second tho!
- When I’m not at work you’ll find me attempting to cook something new (and mostly failing but sometimes succeeding!)
- I love working with young people because we are passionate, creative and are changing the world for the better.
Alex has worked in youth services for five years, and was once a Valley Youth program participant herself! She's held roles in community development and visual communications, and currently supports the delivery of youth-led creative events. Alex is passionate about creating opportunities for young people to engage in the arts as a way to express themselves, improve their wellbeing and foster connection and community.
Join our network
Looking for an opportunity to meet other youth organisations and services in the local area?
Sign up to our network to come along to our quarterly meetings to connect with other workers and find out what's happening near you.
SERVICE PROVIDERS NETWORK
Valley Youth Service Providers Network is an alliance of youth service providers that support young people who live, work, study, or spend time in Moonee Valley. It is composed of representatives of agencies, organisations and schools who are committed to sharing information and working collaboratively in the area. The network holds regular meetings and provides email updates.
Want to join the network? Complete our form at the bottom of this page and we will get in touch with you soon.
