Youth-led initiatives and Meetups

Meetups are designed to be a supportive and safe space for senior students in years 10, 11, and 12. For two terms a year, we partner with high schools to offer these weekly 1.5-hour sessions, where students can connect, share, and support one another through their lived experiences. Our aim is to create a community where students can find understanding and camaraderie during the highs and lows of their senior years.

Who Attends Meetups?

Each Meetup is open to 15 senior students, providing an intimate and focused environment. These sessions are delivered by Peerlink, a group of Macquarie University students trained in youth mental health first aid and mentoring. These mentors commit to attending Meetups for one term, sometimes two, ensuring continuity and a consistent support system.

Interested in Partnering with Us?

If you're a high school in our local government area (LGA) and interested in partnering to bring Senior Student Study Support Meetups to your school, please email our youth development officer, Renee Simpson, at renee.simpson@willoughby.nsw.gov.au. We look forward to creating a supportive community for your students!

Willoughby City Council proudly sponsors an annual student exchange program to Bingara for their Orange Festival, located in the Gwydir Shire Council area, just 600km northwest of Sydney. As part of this partnership, Gwydir students visit our Emerge Festival a few months later, reciprocating the hospitality.

For over two decades, our sister city bond has flourished,. offering students from Willoughby and the Gwydir region a unique opportunity to foster lasting connections and create cherished memories through this exchange initiative. Youth services works with local school wellbeing teams to recruit young people in Years 9, 10 and 11 across the LGA annually.

A unique tutoring initiative spearheaded by Rebecca Ju from Willoughby Youth Action Group that benefits Macquarie university students and supports the educational needs of young people in regional NSW.

This initiative aligns with the goals of our Meetup group and provides Macquarie Uni students, who are trained in youth mental health and mentoring, with additional opportunities to get involved in meaningful projects.

If you attend Macquarie University as a student and would like to apply to be a tutor please email renee.simpson@willoughby.nsw.gov.au

Are you looking to enhance your community and make a real impact? If you're aged between 12 and 24, the Willoughby Youth Action Group (WYAG) is the place for you! This dynamic group empowers local young individuals to shape the future of the Willoughby LGA. Whether you live, work, study, or play in the area, your voice matters here.

WYAG collaborates with Council staff and local organisations to understand the needs and dreams of young people across the LGA. By participating in this youth-led initiative, you can work on projects that address these issues directly. With fortnightly meetings, training sessions, and volunteer opportunities, you'll not only develop essential life and job skills but also forge new friendships and enjoy free access to Council youth events.

Currently, our vibrant group comprises of 12 members aged 15 to 21, representing various high schools, universities, and employment backgrounds. We value flexibility and understand the busy lives of young individuals. That's why our doors are always open for new members. Feel free to join us, take a break whenever needed, and leave whenever you're ready. Your voice matters, and we can't wait to welcome you to the WYAG family. Apply now to embark on this exciting journey with us!

Download flyer(PDF, 699KB)

Attention all young leaders aged 16-24!

Are you passionate about driving positive change in your community? Do you have innovative ideas to enhance support and social connections among local youth? If so, we want to hear from you! Our doors are wide open to youth-led club leaders who are eager to develop exciting initiatives, events, and opportunities for the youth in our area.

Here are some ways we can support your vision:

• Financial assistance to bring your ideas to life.
• Access to free venue hire at locations like the Library, Chatswood Youth Centre, and The Concourse outdoor space.
• Promotion of your projects on our extensive social network and mailing lists, reaching both the local youth sector and parents.
• Subsidised employment skills-based courses, such as RSA, first-aid, and barista training, at a 50% discount for students.
• Participation in the Global Leadership Program project hours and PACE work placement opportunities.
• Funding available for community youth training workshops.

No matter how big or small your ideas may be, we are here to support you every step of the way. If you have an event in mind or simply want to explore how we can collaborate, reach out to us at youth@willoughby.nsw.gov.au. Let's work together to create a brighter future for the youth in our community!

Download flyer(PDF, 238KB)

In 2021, we launched Mates, dates and everything in-between, a youth-produced podcast series that ignites conversations among young adults around domestic abuse in a relatable and engaging way. Young adults interested in producing podcasts were invited to apply for a paid position to help bring this idea to life. Over a series of 16 workshops, successful applicants learned the foundations of domestic abuse awareness, explored podcast concepts and themes with NSHP Youth Consultants, local youth advisory groups and other young people, as well as developed podcast production skills as they created a 6 episode podcast series.

Workshops were co-led by working group members and a seasoned podcast expert, as well as supported by a domestic violence counsellor.

The podcast is now available on popular podcast platforms and promoted to young adults across Northern Sydney.

This project was initiated in response to anecdotal reports from Northern Sydney services of an increase in young people experiencing intimate partner or family abuse. Intimate partner violence remains a leading contributor of death, injury and illness among Australian women aged 18-44.

Led by the Northern Sydney Youth Relationship and Family Abuse Working Group which includes representatives from Northern Sydney Local Health District (Health Promotion Service, Child Protection Service, Sexual Assault Service), North Sydney Council, Willoughby City Council, NSW Department of Communities and Justice and the Lower North Shore Domestic Violence Network.