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Gary Lee inducted into the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll! < Back Multicultural Honour Roll of The Huddle's Advisory Committee Member Don Doughty 16 Dec 2024 Gary Lee inducted into the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll! On December 4, Seddon resident, and international student advocate Gary Lee was inducted into the Victorian Multic ultural Honour Roll at Government House, receiving the accolade from the Governor, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Miss Ingrid Stitt. This was the third year the Victorian Multicultural Honour Roll which recognises the efforts of individuals who have made exceptional and lasting contributions to multiculturalism in Victoria, recognising the vital role that multicultural individuals have played to keep communities safe and connected. From international student, Senior Fellow of the International Education Association Australia (IEAA) to being recognised as the Australian Day Council ‘New Australian of the Year’ and just recently, an Order of Australia Medal, Gary has long been a passionate member of the international education community. Originally from Malaysia, Gary started his journey in Melbourne as an international student and quickly discovered his passion for multicultural communities, dedicating his life to ensuring all international students feel welcomed, supported and motivated. His empathetic approach and tireless efforts have made a significant impact on the lives of students, creating a home away from home for many. Dynamic, creative and visionary, he has over 20 years’ experience in the areas of high level strategic planning and design; policy development and advice; design and delivery of complex projects and student wellbeing initiatives. Currently, Gary leads the international education portfolio at the City of Melbourne in delivering the Council Plan 2021–25 and the Economic Development Strategy 2031. He also oversees City of Melbourne’s collaboration with State Government on the International Education Recovery Plan 2025. Gary is a member of numerous advisory committees including the North Melbourne Football Club’s The Huddle, the Victorian Multicultural Commission (VMC) Regional Advisory Council, Crime Stoppers Cultural Inclusion Reference Group, African Music and Cultural Festival and the Australian Government’s Best Practice in International Student Engagement Project. He is also an ambassador for the AFL Multicultural Program, Melbourne Victory, Welcoming Australia and the Bully Zero Australia Foundation. Gary Lee is not just an advocate; he is a beacon of hope for many international students navigating the complexities of being in a new country. Previous Next

< Back Game Day VIP Event The Huddle unveil the new Game Day Program at this Grand Opening Previous Next

Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women < Back Cultural Exercise Empowerment Asli Abdullahi 24 Aug 2022 Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women Women’s Workout is a group fitness program designed exclusively for women. Facilitated by our female instructors, our Women’s Workout program encourages women of all ages and fitness levels to keep active and meet new, likeminded women in a safe and inclusive environment. Iskufilan is a monthly support forum for women and mothers from multicultural communities that is held monthly in Footscray. This month, The Huddle combined these two successful programs to create a very special Iskufilan Women’s Workout. The focus of this group was on teaching Somali women the importance of physical activity and all its accompanying mental health benefits. It was an environment where they can be themselves, and they can work out in a culturally sensitive environment where there were no men present – an incredibly important cultural difference to mainstream gym and workout environments and regimes. The challenge that was outlined and addressed with this session was a lack of exercise among Somali mothers. An obstacle that most of these women expressed that they faced was insufficient spaces for modest women to work out that is catered to only women. The Huddle was able to overcome this obstacle and aid these women in learning basic exercise skills that they can continue going forward with in their own homes. As well as this, the session provided a safe space for the women to socialise, be themselves, and gain an authentic support network with different women from the community. The support the women received with the exercise was as important as the delivery method - one that is as easily digestible and empowering as it is suited to their needs. The Iskufilan Women’s Workout provided a space for women to put themselves first, spend time working on themselves and improving their key health indicators, as well as socialise and forget about their home-life responsibilities for a short while. I really enjoy the program and seeing the people. - Fatima Ali Gass This special group of Somali women are now taking initiative with their self-care, overall health, and wellbeing which was initially a large oversight in the community. Many women from the sessions experienced noticeable improvements and are maintaining the importance of exercise for their health and wellbeing. Previous Next

Helping young people in their career development and teaching them transferable skills. < Back Changing the game with Game Changers! 12 July 2024 Helping young people in their career development and teaching them transferable skills. Changing the game through Game Changers! Game Changers offers participants the chance to acquire employability, transferable, and project management skills through workshops, one-on-one Career Coaching, and supported Employment Experiences. Additionally, participants engage in educational workshops and forums with industry professionals to enhance their skills, knowledge, and networks. Game Changers is a collaborative initiative with youth-led cultural groups in our communities to cater to the needs of local youth. It also enables The Huddle to support these groups in developing skills, knowledge, and networks for a collective impact. We express our gratitude to the Ubuntu Project for their assistance and support throughout the program. Previous Next

How mentorship and experience helped Moukhtar grow into a community leader. < Back From Game Changer to Community Leader John King 31 Jan 2025 How mentorship and experience helped Moukhtar grow into a community leader. Moukhtar Dahir participated in our first Game Changers cohort in Spring 2023, working as a casual to support the development of an Alumni program at The Huddle as part of his Employment Experience. In March 2024, Moukhtar successfully applied for a Multicultural Development Officer role through the Bachar Houli Foundation, housed with the Sports & Recreation Team at The Huddle and would support delivery of our Huddle Up, Welcome to AFL, Huddle Holidays and AFL Victoria programs in a part-time capacity, while he completed his studies. “Moukhtar has been an incredible asset to our team, he brings a passion, dedication, and most importantly a genuine connection to the community. His ability to engage with young people and create meaningful connections with them has had a lasting impact, empowering them and fostering a sense of belonging,” said Xavier Smith, Head of Sport & Recreation of Moukhtar’s contribution to the team. “Not only did working part-time with The Huddle provide me with the flexibility to manage my studies but I was also mentored throughout the role helping me develop experience in the workforce, build up my confidence, improve communication skills and learn how to deal with uncomfortable situations head on.” Moukhtar said. In October 2024, a role within The Huddle’s Community Development team became available and Moukhtar was encouraged to apply. He was appointed to the full-time position of Coordinator Community Engagement, which focuses on developing and implementing initiatives that foster interaction, participation, and a sense of belonging among our community members, stakeholders, and the broader organisation, primarily with the Somali community in the Cities of Melbourne and Wyndham. “Because of the skills, knowledge, and confidence I had developed in the part-time role, it allowed me to grow and be in a position where I was encouraged to apply for and appointed for the Coordinator Community Engagement role, which was only possible because of the valuable work the Game Changers program does for young people,” Moukhtar said. Moukhtar’s journey from Game Changers participant to Community Engagement Coordinator shows the power of mentorship, experience, and opportunity. His story highlights how programs like Game Changers empower young people, build confidence, and create meaningful career pathways. Previous Next

Cultivating Skills and Building Lasting Confidence < Back Mastering Confidence: Unleashing Your Inner Game Changer John King 24 Aug 2023 Cultivating Skills and Building Lasting Confidence New research released from headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation (2023) shows only one in two young people feel confident when it comes to succeeding in their current or future career aspirations. The headspace National Youth Mental Health Survey found only 54 per cent of young people felt fairly or very confident in applying for a job. The same survey found only 52 per cent of young people felt they have the necessary skills to succeed in their current or future career. Game Changers supports young people to be critical thinkers, develop transferable skills, define their career pathways, and gain employment with organisations that are welcoming and inclusive. Delivered through collaborative partnerships with youth led cultural groups located within our communities, participants are also brought together through various education workshops and forums, including with industry professionals to grow their confidence, skills, knowledge and networks. Weng Hei Chan (Vanessa) participated in Game Changers in Autumn, joining nineteen other young people to develop and expand on these skill sets. Participants were given a central question during the Game Changers workshops and tasked with creating innovative solutions using ideation and problem-solving frameworks. Working in collaborative groups, participants had to create a media plan and presentation which answered, “how can we tell the stories of elite athletes in a unique and engaging way?". “This program incorporates my two interests: sports and media. It was exciting to think about these two things together every day. Getting to work with something I am passionate about, plus with people sharing the same interest, I enjoyed all the happy, sometimes tough, and brainstorming moments in the program.” While moving through the activities within Game Changers, staff from The Huddle and Ubuntu Project work with groups to identify the various transferrable skills they are using to complete tasks, overcome challenges and solve problems. There is also a focus on how participant’s experiences within Game Changers can be used to demonstrate skills, characteristics and talents that are highly desirable for employers looking to hire young people. “An attitude or behaviour can determine the impression others have of me. And of course, there's no need to hide my personality and differences, because this makes me stand out from others.” After completing their group activities, participants are given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to a panel of industry professionals. This also affords them an opportunity to meet with people who are succeeding in the career fields they are interested in, build their professional networks and gain insights into what it takes to get employment in particular industries. At the conclusion of the Pitch Event portion of the Game Changers Programs, The Huddle offer five paid Employment Experiences to participants, who get the opportunity to incorporate their innovative ideas into a program or initiative being delivered by The Huddle. As a result of her participation in Game Changers, Vanessa was able to build her confidence, showcase her talents and gain real-world experience and advice that would benefit her on her career journey. Vanessa was also offered and Employment Experience with The Huddle to help create the next series of True North videos with our AFL and AFLW players. “Game Changers has provided an insight into what workplaces, employers and HR expect in Australia. The information is important to make me more competitive in the job market. Especially, as an international fresh graduate, it's tough to find a job that I like. It also provides an opportunity to apply the skills that I learnt to a media pitch. Through it, I feel I am closer to a real working environment than before. This program has prepared me to become more mature to face the challenges in my future career… and now our team is making True North videos, we participated in and we contributed to every part of the production. The program has allowed me to convert my knowledge into reality, which the university cannot provide.” Game Changers will continue to provide unique and engaging opportunities for young people to gain experience, grow professionally and build their confidence to ensure they have the skills and resilience needed to succeed to the current employment climate. To learn more about Game Changers, please contact: Emily Maiorana, Careers Coordinator at The Huddle. emily.maiorana@nmfc.com.au . Previous Next

Over 330 young people came together to learn new skills, build friendships, and grow together. < Back Learning, Playing, Thriving at Huddle Holidays Spring 2025 Patrick McPhee 24 Oct 2025 Over 330 young people came together to learn new skills, build friendships, and grow together. Huddle Holidays Spring 2025 has officially wrapped up after an incredible couple of weeks that saw over 330 attendances across seven activities in both our Junior and Senior programs! Huddle Holidays provides children and young people with opportunities to try new experiences, build confidence, and develop skills across areas such as social inclusion, health and wellbeing, leadership, education, and careers. Junior Program (8–12 years old) Our juniors made lasting memories this spring through a range of engaging and fun activities. They explored the underwater world at Melbourne Sea Life, connected to land, sky, water, and community through our First Nations Art Workshop and NMCC Mural activity, tested their athletic abilities at the Wyndham Multi-Sport Clinic, and discovered something new with Welcome to Netball. Many participants shared that their favourite part of the holidays was experiencing “different activities,” highlighting the program’s value in providing opportunities that might not otherwise be available to them. Melbourne Sea Life The Junior program launched with a hugely popular trip to Melbourne Sea Life, which booked out within hours! Participants created new memories while learning about marine life and ways to contribute to ocean sustainability. For many, it was their first-ever aquarium visit — their excitement was clear throughout the self-guided tour. A parent from Wyndham shared their appreciation for the program’s inclusiveness: “The inclusiveness. Coming to pick up kids in outer suburbs so we can attend.” Belonging is a core value of Huddle Holidays, and ensuring families feel supported and included is a key part of what makes the program special. First Nations Art Workshop & NMCC Mural Next up, participants got creative and connected with community through the First Nations Art Workshop and NMCC Mural. The session was led by Emma Bamblett, a proud Wemba Wemba woman with connections to the Ngadjonji, Gunditjmara, and Taungurung peoples. Emma shared the Dreamtime story of Bunjil the Eagle and invited participants to reimagine and interpret it on canvas, exploring key themes such as connection to Country (land, sky, and water) and community. Alongside this, participants helped begin painting a mural at the North Melbourne Community Centre, using paint and supplies generously provided by Dulux. Allysha Morris from the Centre guided the group in designing their own individual bricks to represent their personal connection to community. Participants later shared that their favourite parts were “connecting to the community” and “learning about Aboriginal art.” Wyndham Multi-Sport Clinic Our next stop was the Wyndham Multi-Sport Clinic at Mainview Boulevard Reserve, Truganina. This event welcomed many new young people to Huddle Holidays for the first time! Despite strong winds, participants had a fantastic time learning Aussie Rules Football and Soccer. One participant shared: “I learnt a new sport and made friends.” This activity supported Huddle Holidays’ goal of enhancing health and wellbeing by encouraging physical activity and social connection. The clinic also marked the launch of Huddle Up! Junior Truganina — a free weekly multi-sport program for primary school students held at the same location. For more information and to register, click here HERE. Welcome to Netball Our Junior program wrapped up with Welcome to Netball, facilitated by our friends at Netball Victoria. Four community coaches led participants — many trying the sport for the first time — through foundational skills, reaction challenges, and teamwork exercises. It was wonderful to see participants’ confidence grow as they became more comfortable with the game and their teammates. Senior Program (13–18 years old) The Senior program kicked off with a free First Aid and CPR course delivered by Hero HQ, a company that specialises in teaching young people vital lifesaving skills. Participants gained valuable, accredited qualifications that enhance both their community contribution and career prospects. Offering free, job-relevant training is one of the many ways The Huddle supports young people’s career development. Huddle Volleyball Tournament Next came the return of the much-loved Huddle Volleyball Tournament, one of our most requested activities! This year, 16 teams competed in a day-long event showcasing our young people’s athleticism, teamwork, and sportsmanship. A regular participant shared: “I loved how many people showed up to the tournament and how much volleyball has grown over the past few years. I find Huddle a great place to play — and it costs nothing, giving everyone a chance to join in.” Providing free, inclusive sporting opportunities is made possible thanks to the generous support of our partners, particularly the Victorian Department of Education and Community Bank Seddon. Laser Tag & Arcade Session The final Senior activity was a Laser Tag and Arcade session in the Docklands. This event helped young people transitioning from the Junior to Senior program build new friendships while having fun in a team-based environment. Participants collaborated to win Laser Tag rounds and supported one another to reach for high scores in the arcade. A huge thank you to all our participants, families, activity providers, volunteers, and partners — we couldn’t have done it without you! Huddle Holidays will return in January 2026 with a brand-new lineup of exciting activities for both Junior and Senior age groups. For more information or to join our mailing list for registration updates, please contact huddle@nmfc.com.au . Previous Next

Game Changers helped Tigist develop skills, connections and community impact < Back Community Impact Through Game Changers Previous Next

Using all the learnings from Game Changers and using them for the Pitch event. < Back Pitch night with Game Changers! 16 July 2024 Using all the learnings from Game Changers and using them for the Pitch event. Creating an inclusive community sports event 🗣️ During the school holidays, our Game Changers participants went through a myriad of workshops, mentoring sessions and coaching to help them develop transferable skills and create an inclusive sports program with a chance to turn it into a reality. Using the skills and learnings from the course, they pitched their inclusive community sports programs to three panelists where they also had the opportunity to receive employment as well as develop their programs into something tangible. Game Changers run every school holidays! Stay tuned for the next one and join us to develop your skills for the future! We would like to acknowledge our partners Ubuntu Project, Paving the Way Forward and the Victorian State Government Previous Next

Footy to first aid—200+ young people grew, connected, and thrived this Autumn. < Back Autumn Adventures that Build Belonging Patrick McPhee 9 May 2025 Footy to first aid—200+ young people grew, connected, and thrived this Autumn. As everyone settles back in at school, The Huddle invites you to look back at what was a massive school holiday period at Huddle Holidays! Huddle Holidays is a school holiday program offered at the end of each school term for primary and secondary school students aged 8-18. The program provides children and young people with opportunities to try new experiences, developing their skills and capacity across social inclusion, health and emotional wellbeing, leadership, education, and careers. These holidays our Juniors (8- to 12-years-old) participated in a Footy and Teamwork Super Clinic, a trip to Bounce Inc., and a Wildlife Day at The Huddle North Melbourne. As always, our Junior programs provided many opportunities for young people to build connections within the community, with the staff, with local clubs and, of course, with each other. One participant shared that their favourite part of the program was that they “… enjoyed spending time with new people (and) got to make new friends”. Such a great way to explain what the Junior activities provide! The first activity for the Juniors these holidays was the Footy and Teamwork Super Clinic at Galvin Park Reserve. This program was facilitated with support from the North Melbourne Football Club and Werribee Football Club. The Clinic provided young people of all skill levels the opportunity to develop their abilities in the game of Aussie Rules while also exploring what it takes to be a good teammate! One participant expressed that their favourite part of this activity was that “everyone was friendly and willing to help” and a parent shared that “it was a perfect introduction to footy for my son”. These reflections demonstrated how The Huddle leverages the power of sport to help young people in the community develop a sense of belonging. Our next Junior activity was a trip out to Bounce Inc in Essendon Fields. This activity was fully booked within days of opening, showing the importance of registering early for activities when they launch with The Huddle. At Bounce, the participants were led through an hour of facilitated programming delivered by Bounce staff before spending an additional hour jumping, hopping and running around the many available areas and obstacles. One young person shared that they enjoyed “the kind people and the kids are ranged between the same age”. The Huddle aims to ensure young people have opportunities to mingle and try something new with others of similar ages, growing their networks with local peers. As this participant identified these holiday activities are a safe and welcoming environment for new connections to develop! The final Junior activity for Autumn was the Wildlife Day held at The Huddle North Melbourne. Participants were invited into our classroom on Arden Street, where they were greeted by our partners at Reptile Encounters with their animal friends. The facilitators were very engaging and taught the young people about each animal while also providing opportunities for participants to interact with them! Our Juniors and their parents shared that they loved getting to try something new and that they had the “best time ever!” This was a great way to finish the holidays for our youngest attendees, with everyone excited for what is yet to come in Winter! Our Seniors (13- to 18-years-old) these holidays challenged each other at the return of The Huddle Volleyball Tournament, developed life skills by participating in a CPR course and just for the girls enjoyed an afternoon Sisters Pool Party! Our Seniors showed up in big numbers these holidays and we believe the environment The Huddle provides creates this space that is easy to come back to. One young person shared “I liked how welcoming and friendly everyone was. The activities were fun, engaging, and gave me the chance to work with new people, learn new skills, and build confidence. It felt like a safe and positive space to be myself and connect with others.” We are so proud to hear such positive reflections! The return of The Huddle Volleyball tournament was highly anticipated these holidays. Over 100 young people headed into Eagle Stadium in Werribee to participate in the full day tournament. The competition highlighted both the amazing athletic prowess of our talented young people (many of whom have honed their craft weekly on Friday afternoons at Huddle Up! – click here to learn more ), but also the beautiful community environment that has been created and fostered at all tournaments hosted by The Huddle. Young people demonstrated amazing sportspersonship and as a result established new relationships with people on opposing teams. One young person shared they enjoyed “building new relationships and enhancing trust with my teammates”. This tournament will definitely be back! Next up for the Seniors was a free Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) course delivered by Hero HQ at The Huddle Werribee. This company specialises in supporting young people to develop important lifesaving skills. The participants learnt all the key information necessary to try and preserve someone’s life. The Huddle sees the value in providing these opportunities to support young people becoming positive contributors to their community, while also supporting them with learning new skills that they can add to their resumes. Participants identified that their favourite part of this program was it was free, and that staff were friendly and supportive of their learning. Huddle Holidays looks to offer courses like this one regularly and will offer a full First Aid Level 2 course in the September Holidays. Our final activity for the seniors was the Sisters Only Pool Party at Melbourne City Baths. This activity was set aside for females only, aimed at providing an opportunity for our senior participants to develop their knowledge of water safety and their water confidence. The facilitators took the participants through an extensive session about water safety and important information to consider, before jumping in the water to play games and have some free time. Our participants identified what they enjoyed about the program was that there was “friendly staff (and they got to) try something new.” The next step back into the water for the Huddle Holidays participants will be our return to Anglesea in January 2026. Thanks to our participants, their families, activity providers and partners – Victorian Department of Education and Community Bank Seddon. We couldn’t have this much fun without you! Huddle Holidays will return in July 2025 with an all-new, exciting range of activities across both junior and senior age groups. If you would like and further information or to join our email list to be notified when we launch registrations, please email huddle@nmfc.com.au . Previous Next

The Huddle's 2023 Iftar Dinner involved members from the local North Melbourne public housing estate, community leaders, program participants and their families < Back The Huddle holds community Iftar Previous Next

< Back GOAL! Kangaroos Takes Over Arden St! Ascot Vale West PS students got the first crack at GOAL! Kangaroos Jasper Menor Previous Next