Young people across the Latrobe Valley now have access to a purpose-built youth services hub in Morwell to connect with community, education and employment opportunities.

Minister for Youth Ros Spence today joined Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing to open ‘the Zone’, a permanent home for Latrobe Youth Space.

The Andrews Labor Government has provided $5.6 million since 2017 to support Latrobe Youth Space to deliver services connecting young people to employment, training and community life in the Latrobe Valley.

Government funding supported Latrobe Youth Space’s move to the Zone — a multipurpose space designed in close consultation with local young people, featuring kitchen facilities, a green screen room, a parents’ area and quiet study spaces.

Programs run out of Latrobe Youth Space include a young parents’ group, a rainbow club for LGBTIQ+ young people, learner driver training for recently arrived young people, and sport and recreation activities.

Latrobe Youth Space is managed by a consortium of local youth service organisations to best meet the needs of young people living in the Latrobe Valley. It is advised by a youth governance committee to ensure its programs and supports are tailored to the young people it services.

More than 20,000 young people have participated in Latrobe Youth Space activities since it opened in 2018.

Through initiatives such as Latrobe Youth Space, the Labor Government is working to ensure young people living in rural and regional Victoria have access to a full range of supports to achieve the same employment, education and wellbeing outcomes as their metropolitan peers.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Youth Ros Spence

“It’s so important for young people to have a safe space to get support and feel part of their local community. I am delighted to see so many young people benefit from the youth hub that the Labor Government has supported.”

“These upgrades will ensure young people can enjoy these dedicated spaces for many years to come.’’

Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing

“Latrobe Youth Space supports young people in the Latrobe Valley to thrive. By designing youth spaces with local young people, for local young people, we’re ensuring services respond to their unique needs and aspirations.”