Banyule Youth Services are a generalist youth service who support young people ages 12-25 years who live, work, study or spend time in the area of Banyule. Our team includes qualified youth workers and facilitators. As well as Staff who are experienced sound engineers, musicians, artists, disability support workers, events coordinators & advocates for young people.
To find out what about what the team can offer you, head to our Get Involved page
Leonie Farrell - Coordinator Youth Services
She/Her pronouns
Leonie oversees the whole youth service team, supporting staff and young people strategically to achieve great outcomes.
Leonie created the Banyule Youth Services Youth Plan 2018-2022, which oversees all actions the service undertakes.
Leonie is a great contact for local services and organisations who want to connect with our team or young people in Banyule.
Email: leonie.farrell@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9457 9939
Mobile: 0439 395 967
Bec Lonie – Jets Team Leader
She/Her pronouns
Bec oversees the running of Jets Studios. She supports the Jets Staff, creative arts programs, pathways, community groups and events. Bec is responsible for creating a positive culture so that all staff, community groups and young people have an awesome experience when they visit Jets Studios.
Bec oversees our yearly youth festivals, including YouthFest and 2020's LiveFest.
Chat to Bec if you want to learn more about Jets Studios or education & training opportunities for young people.
Email: rebecca.lonie@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9098 8001
Lisa Said – Youth Outreach Team Leader
She/Her pronouns
Lisa supports all casual staff members who work in the youth service, including our Youth Outreach & Program Support team. This team of youth workers head into the Banyule community regularly to say hi to young people, promote our opportunities and offer support and information.
Lisa runs our Wellbeing portfolio. She runs events and workshops for young people about taking care of your mental health and wellbeing. Lisa also runs our school holiday events, which include free, cheap and fun things to do in Banyule for young people ages 12-25 each school holidays.
Lisa is also available for catch-ups with young people who need support one on one over the phone, in-person or via message.
Email: lisa.said@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9457 9897
Mobile: 0427 833 321
Naomi Simmonds – Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Naomi co-ordinates the biennial Banyule Youth Summit which is a chance for young people to discuss what matters most to them and provides the opportunity to make recommendations to Council. Naomi also makes sure the recommendations are heard and acted upon.
Naomi is also creating a new Youth Advisory Committee for Council, is developing supports for young entrepreneurs, oversees the Banyule 100 project and provides support for young carers.
Email: naomi.simmonds@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9457 9902
Mobile: 0422 560 109
Jess Sayers – Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Jess works with Nillumbik Shire Council Youth Services to facilitate the BNYSN Executive Committee & Network meetings/training.
Jess works with young people who live or spend time in Heidelberg West. She also has a focus on our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and young people who have a multicultural background. Jess regularly works alongside our Australian Somali young people in Banyule.
Jess is also available for catch-ups with young people who need support one on one over the phone, in-person or via message.
Email: jessica.sayers@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9457 9983
Mobile: 0428 522 656
Sadia Ali - Family Support Worker (Diverse Communities)
She/Her pronouns
Sadia is responsible for delivering high-quality, evidenced-informed, strengths-based, and community-led capacity building activities, support programs, workshops and events for parents, carers and families with a specific focus on CALD and Somali-Australian community members.
Email: Sadia.Ali@banyule.vic.gov.au
Kieran West - Youth Program Officer
He/Him pronouns
Kieran oversees our Communications portoflio, running our website and social media pages to give young people information and support.
Kieran runs our Street Art and Hip Hop program called New Hope that runs on Wednesday evenings at Jets Studios.
Kieran also runs opportunities for young people to get involved in recreation activities such as Skate, BMX and Scooter Jams and Comps.
Email: kieran.west@banyule.vic.gov.au
Simon Eszeky – Jets Inclusion Officer
He/Him pronouns
Simon looks after our inclusive programming at our creative arts space Jets Studios. This includes band, arts crew & DJ’s. He ensures that young people with a disability are supported to attend our programs and events. Simon uses his artistic and musical talents to run a DJ Program on Tuesday evenings at Jets.
Simon also works with our Band Jam group for young musos on Thursday evenings and support student placement opportunities at Jets.
Email: simon.eszeky@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jets Studios: 9098 8000
Ruqia Mohamed – Youth Programs Assistant (Diverse Communities)
Ruqia helps run and organise events for our diverse communities alongside our Youth Programs Officer and Family Support Officer.
She also runs programs and events for AWAG, our African Women’s Action Group meant to empower and educate the young African women in our community.
Email: Ruqia.Mohamed@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jay Mifsud - Jets Youth Programs Officer
They/She pronouns
Based out of Jets Studios, Jay facilitates the Jets Events team with tasks such as conceptualising, developing and managing all ages events and projects. Jay works with Jets Crew Members who are interested in a career in the creative industries to collaborate on events and projects to build up their skills and networks - this can also include regular posting of opportunities on the Jets Crew Member Noticeboard. Interested in chatting with Jay about Jets Events, or other Jets offerings? Find them around Jets weekly on Monday and Tuesday 4:00PM to 7:00PM, or contact them at the below.
Email: jay.mifsud@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jets Studios: 9098 8000
Mobile: 0434 187 511
For artists interested in playing at Jets Events, click here
Jafar Hussein – Youth Programs Officer (Diverse Communities)
He/Him Pronouns
Jafar oversees the effective engagement of young Somali-Australians in Banyule and works with them to build their skills and ability to positively engage in learning, employment, social and recreational opportunities.
Jafar works on the delivery of targeted programs and workshops that seek to increase community awareness and access to services around mental health, alcohol and drugs, positive employment outcomes and inter-community restorative justice approaches.
Jafar also provides individual support and is accessible for young people who need support one on one over the phone, in-person or via message.
Phone: (03) 9455 8809
Mobile: 0435 479 035
Leza Cullen - Jets Intake & Program Officer
She/Her pronouns
Leza takes care of enrolments at Jets Studios. Leza works with young people at Jets to support them into finding a weekly group or activity that is a good fit for them depending on the young persons skills, interests and abilities.
Leza also facilitates our IncArt visual arts group. IncArt brings young people with all abilities together in a fun group setting to learn about the visual arts by exploring art and trying out art techniques, playing art games and working with local guest artist. Sessions are facilitated every Monday 4pm - 7pm.
To get involved complete the Join Jets form HERE or give Leza a call she loves a chat.
To get involved email Leza directly at Leza.Cullen@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jets Mobile: 0411 267 427
Jets Studios: 9098 8000
Leza's facebook
Caitlin McKimm – Jets Youth Programs Officer
She/Her pronouns
Works Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays
Caitlin facilitates our Jets Production Crew, the Jets MixTape Project, and our Podcast Program.
Jets Production Crew undertake a variety of projects during the term covering all things production, including live sound and lighting, AV, broadcast and live streaming, studio recording and more! This group meets at Jets on Tuesdays from 4-7pm. To find out more or join, contact Caitlin directly at caitlin.mckimm@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jets MixTape Project supports young emerging musicians in Banyule who would like to promote their work more broadly in the community. Artists have the opportunity to record a track at Jets to contribute to a Jets MixTape release. To find out more and get involved, contact Caitlin directly at caitlin.mckimm@banyule.vic.gov.au
The 'NoteWorthy' Podcast facilitates young people to tell their stories, share their insights, and champion the causes important to them. If you would like to find out more, or have a story you would like to share, visit here: https://www.banyuleyouth.com/stories-you
caitlin.mckimm@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jets Studios: 9098 8000
Maddi Cooper – Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Maddi is available for catch-ups with young people via supported referrals and facilitates the Rainbow Space program for LGBTQIA+ young people, friends and allies aged 14 – 24 years.
Maddi supports local secondary schools by delivering workshops for students and also organises consultation opportunities for young people in Banyule.
Email: maddi.cooper@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9490 4222
Mobile: 0481 003 524
Kate James – Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Kate is currently on maternity leave and will return to work in late January 2022.
Please contact leonie.farrell@banyule.vic.gov.au for general enquiries regarding work Kate usually does with our team. Kieran West is now the contact for any social media or website related work with our team.
Duncan Stephen - Sound Engineer & Program Assistant
He/Him pronouns
Duncan takes care of the Jets facility and all of our amazing resources and equipment. Duncan overseas the live stream of Jets & Banyule City Council events and activities.
Duncan uses his industry skills as a musician and sound engineering to support young people in the Jets Production / Live Events crew & the Jets music production program, MixTape.
Email: duncan.stephen@banyule.vic.gov.au
Jets Studios: 9098 8000
