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< Back Diamond Days: Huddle Holidays Hits a Home Run Building confidence and teamwork, one pitch at a time. Previous Next

< Back Game, Set, Match: Huddle Holidays Takes on the AO Take a look back at the excursion to the Australian Open. Previous Next

Young voices, real impact — a youth-designed space built on trust, creativity, and community. < Back Youth-Led Transformation at NMCC John King 25 June 2025 Young voices, real impact — a youth-designed space built on trust, creativity, and community. In 2024, The Huddle, in partnership with The Y and the City of Melbourne, established a Youth Advisory Group (YAG) with the goal of strengthening trust between young people who engage with the North Melbourne Community Centre (NMCC) and the staff and managers who operate the facility. Participants in the YAG undertook a tailored capacity building program, which included The Huddle’s Game Changers program, to enhance their career development and guide the design of a project to create an accessible Games Room for community use, while also establishing and communicating Conditions of Entry and Standards of Behaviour for users. Paving the Way Forward, a Victorian State Government initiative, provided funding to operationalise the Game Room project. These partnerships provided the young people participating in the YAG an opportunity to manage a real-world project which would have immediate impact within the community, while also providing valuable career experience and skill development. When asked to reflect on her time as a YAG member, Inas Adil said, “The Youth Advisory Group offered me an opportunity that proved to be deeply meaningful and transformative. It was in this space that I was not only heard but valued as a young person who is able to make decisions about our societies. Participating in discussions, giving feedback, and taking part in even creating new projects made me learn how to advocate for change and gave me my needed self-confidence.” Allysha Morris, Centre Manager for The Y at the NMCC worked directly with the YAG to help shape and bring their ideas to life. “The Games Room Project has been a powerful example of what youth led community spaces can achieve when built on trust, accountability, and creativity,” she said. “Collaborating with the young women as they developed their survey questions and helped shape ideas for the bookings and open day was inspiring. Watching the young men cheer on their mates as they cut the ribbon, and seeing the smiling children creating, playing, and connecting, was genuinely wholesome. It was a reminder of why inclusive, safe, and engaging spaces like this matter.” The initiative also aligned closely with the City of Melbourne’s values of youth engagement, inclusivity, and community driven solutions. David Rowe, Melbourne City Baths Manager at City of Melbourne was involved in the collaborative project and said, “Over the course of 10 weeks, the YAG process fostered strong partnerships between the YMCA, the City of Melbourne, and the broader community. The collaboration was marked by mutual respect, shared goals, and a genuine commitment to youth-led outcomes. The Games Room, which now contains comfortable couches, a PlayStation 5, kids games, tables, chairs, computer access, table tennis, card games, lockers, a quiet Study Room and Makers Space is now available for use by the community who helped create it. The YAG hopes it will be evidence of what strong young voices can achieve when given the chance. “Seeing our ideas taken seriously and implemented was one of the most fulfilling aspects of being a part of the group. The concrete results of our efforts and knowing that young people's opinions were influencing actual results was empowering. My conviction that youth participation in decision-making spaces is crucial has been strengthened by this experience. It has motivated me to keep up my advocacy efforts and keep trying to improve my community,” Said Inas. Previous Next

Young leaders took the reins — and redefined what’s possible. < Back Game Changers in Action: Driving Ubuntu African Australian Career Expo John King 20 June 2025 Young leaders took the reins — and redefined what’s possible. Ubuntu Project’s African Australian Career Expo, held on 17 May 2025 and attended by more than 100 young people, was created to provide young people from African backgrounds with a space where they could see themselves reflected in a wide range of careers. The goal is to break down barriers by connecting youth with African Australian professionals who have navigated similar challenges and succeeded in their fields. “What makes this year’s expo different is that its youth led and culturally grounded,” said Abubaker Okud, Employment Coordinator at Ubuntu Project. “It’s designed by young people for young people. Five participants from the Game Changers program helped shape and run every aspect of the event, from program design and logistics to speaker outreach and managing the event on the day.” While working on the expo, participants gained valuable hands-on experience in event planning and professional communication. They developed leadership and teamwork skills by assisting with coordination of various elements of the expo, including logistics, outreach, and on the day operations. They also gained insight into time management, problem solving, and how to adapt in a fast-paced event environment. Overall, the experience helped them build confidence in their abilities and gave them a real-world understanding of what it takes to deliver a large-scale community event. “At first I was thinking, how it was my first time [coordinating] events, am I able to do that? The outcome was great. And it was easy! I'd like to [be involved] in more events like this one, and organising events in the future,” said Game Changers participant Madina Omar. To support participants, Ubuntu Project and The Huddle provided mentoring, regular check-ins, and clear role delegation while still giving them space to lead. “We walked them through key elements of event planning and supported them in building confidence when communicating with professionals or managing parts of the expo. We made sure they felt included, valued, and supported throughout — not just as helpers, but as co-creators,” said Abubaker. “I did a lot of things I said I couldn’t do,” said Yusra Abdulkarim, who also worked in the project team. “I was interested in studying project management, but I wasn't sure. After I did Game Changers, now I'm sure I want do it.” A highlight for Abubaker was seeing how the participants took ownership of their roles and worked collaboratively to deliver such a successful event. “Whether it was helping to coordinate activities, managing staff on the day, or confidently approaching speakers and attendees, each participant contributed meaningfully and brought their own strengths to the table,” he said. “It was clear that they were proud of the event they helped shape, and it was inspiring to see their growth and leadership in action throughout the process.” Liam Jansen was another Game Changers participant who worked on the African Australian Careers Expo and found great value in getting outside his comfort zone to get the most out of himself and take the next steps on his career journey. “My most enjoyable aspect was I got to work in a group and be a part of a project,” he said. “That was great. I got to meet people, like Fraser (Careers & Volunteers Officer with The Huddle) who helped me with developing my resume. He really supported me and even directed me to a Certificate in Engineering course, which I’ll be studying at Victoria University.” Game Changers and the partnership between The Huddle and Ubuntu Project was made possible thanks to the support of Paving the Way Forward and the Victorian State Government. Previous Next

Yasseen Musa OAM works closely with The Huddle to help migrant families settle into life in Australia. < Back Mazda Learn 2 Drive Program Previous Next

The inaugural Huddle Holidays Multi-Art Super Clinic < Back Multi-Art Super Clinic - Huddle Holidays Winter 23' Previous Next

< Back Volunteer profile - Tess Beagley No one can deny that in the past two years, every member of the community faced challenges like never before Riley Goodwin Previous Next

A Journey of Personal Growth and Community Connection < Back The Huddle's Annual Iftar: A Time of Reflection and Unity Asli Abdullahi 1 Apr 2025 A Journey of Personal Growth and Community Connection The Huddle held its annual Iftar event for 2025 on 13th March, aiming to create a space for reflection, renewal, and community connection. Held in North Melbourne, it brought together 180 members of our community including families and community leaders, government and other key partners of The Huddle, and North Melbourne Football Club players. The event featured local poet Idil Ali as the MC, guiding attendees through moments of spiritual reflection and self-renewal. Many Muslims face the challenge of mentally and spiritually preparing for Ramadan, seeking to purify their hearts and eliminate distractions before the month begins. This process of self-reflection can be overwhelming, as it requires deep commitment and awareness. The Iftar event addressed this challenge by offering a structured environment for reflection. Throughout the event, participants engaged in reflection moments led by community leaders, focusing on their journeys, progress, and renewing their commitments. The presence of diverse figures, including MP Natalie Suleyman, Ellen Green, Sheikh Isse and football players Will Phillips, Libby Birch, and Brynn Teakle, strengthened the sense of community. The impact was evident in the feedback: 90% of attendees felt more connected to their community, and 85% reported that the event helped them reflect on personal goals. Many participants shared that the Iftar wasn’t just about the meal, but about the meaningful conversations and reflections shared. One participant noted, “The Iftar event helped me reconnect with myself and others. It gave me the space I needed to reflect on my journey and embrace the renewal that Ramadan brings.” In addition to the Iftar, The Huddle’s kids' activities were also a success, with one child stating, "This is the best activity ever." The event proved to be a powerful opportunity for spiritual and personal renewal, reinforcing the community’s sense of belonging. The Huddle is already planning next year’s Iftar, aiming to create an even more inclusive and impactful experience. The team is committed to enhancing the event to foster deeper reflection, connection, and growth for a larger, more diverse group of attendees. Previous Next

< Back A day at the Australian Open Watching tennis superstars up close! Jasper Menor Previous Next

Bella is Shaping Her Future Through Skills, Community, and Opportunity < Back A Game Changer in Wyndham Previous Next

We had a chat to former participant Nyaguich about her experience at The Huddle with all our awesome volunteers < Back Participant Q&A: Nyaguich Riley Goodwin 10 Jan 2022 We had a chat to former participant Nyaguich about her experience at The Huddle with all our awesome volunteers We had a chat to former participant Nyaguich about her experience at The Huddle with all our awesome volunteers. She has been involved with The Huddle for many years and is currently on the team as an amazing Administration Intern. How long have you been coming to the Huddle? Since 2013, when I was doing my hospitality course I came here to get help. I heard about it from a friend who knew The Huddle. She told me North Melbourne had a football club and in there was a place that helped you with studying [Study Squad]. So you’ve been to Study Squad and you’ve also been involved with our volunteer, Heidi, through Game Changers? I worked with Heidi to help me get a job and then I worked with other volunteers who helped me with my studies. Are there any volunteers that stand out in your mind that you’ve worked with? I worked with Tim, Heidi and then David. And plenty more volunteers but I don’t remember their names. A few of them are quite like family, because when I got my citizenship here in 2014 they came along. You originally came here when you were studying hospitality, and then did you go on to study something else? Yes, I did hospitality from 2013 and then I finished in 2015. In 2017 I started an accounting course from Certificate IV, then a Diploma, and then an Advanced Diploma. The team helped me through this course. Are you studying anything now? At the moment I’m doing a Certificate IV in Disability because I didn’t get a job in accounting and because I don’t have experience, so now I do the course one day a week. You’re going to be very educated getting a lot of qualifications! This is a Plan B for me, because if I get a job I can work. I’ve been working as a waitress for almost nine years, I want to change it. I think I deserve to change to another new job in accounting but I had no experience before I got this internship [with The Huddle]. What kept bringing you back to The Huddle for all those years? What was it that you were getting out of coming? I live close to here, not very far away and the help from The Huddle is amazing. And now I have an internship here at The Huddle, which is amazing. When you come in to Study Squad, do you normally work with volunteers, or do you work on your own? Yes, before my internship I came here for my disability course to get help because English is my second language. I come here to get help. Did you speak any English before moving to Australia? What year did you move here? No. I moved to Australia in 2009 from Ethiopia. I learnt from The Huddle. What have you gotten out of coming to The Huddle? What I get from here, I don’t know how I can express my feelings of The Huddle. From 2013, I learnt how to go through school, now I got this internship opportunity. It has given me more confidence, especially in my accounting course. When I finished it, I was thinking “oh what am I going to do?”. I kept applying and got no jobs, because when you don’t have experience no one knows who you are and then this internship will give me the opportunity. I can put it on my resumé and it can help me to build my career. I feel like I’m ready, ready for an accounting job! I know what I’m doing, I’m confident about the data entry, data analysis, it’s amazing. Did the volunteers make you feel welcome? Yes, people here are very welcoming. I feel confident, I feel Study Squad is home for me. When I come here I feel safe and relaxed. I know everyone here, I know everyone’s name, it’s amazing. Do you have a thought in particular that stands out to you in your time coming to The Huddle? I think friendly. I feel like they are friendly and give me opportunity here. The help I receive is amazing. For me I recommend this place to anyone I know, whether they’re struggling to find a job or for help with study. I can recommend The Huddle is a good place to go if you need any kind of help. Previous Next

Over 200 young people joined us these school holidays for new sports, real-life skills, and unforgettable fun across Melbourne. < Back Winter School Holiday Activities for Young People Patrick McPhee 31 July 2025 Over 200 young people joined us these school holidays for new sports, real-life skills, and unforgettable fun across Melbourne. Huddle Holidays Winter 2025 has come to an end and what an awesome way to beat the cold it was! 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. This time around the juniors (8- to 12-years-old) participated in a Welcome to Tennis clinic, an exciting day of activities planned by The Huddle and a trip to Ice HQ for our annual Ice-Skating activity! These holidays the Junior program focused on providing the opportunity to try something new, build social connections and demonstrate resilience! One junior participant shared that their favourite part of the program was “meeting new people and making good friends”, meeting a key focus of the program to increase a sense of belonging in the community! The first Junior activity, ‘Welcome to Tennis’, was based at the North Melbourne Recreation Centre. Here the young people engaged in a cardio tennis session, one participant shared that “playing tennis was amazing, good and first time experiencing for me.” For many of cohort this was their first experience playing tennis and even holding a racquet! The activity was supported by the Australian Tennis Foundation who provided amazing coaches that facilitated the session as well as supporting a group of young people from Wyndham to access transport to the activity. Providing the opportunity to try new things is always a key focus of Huddle Holidays and introducing a new sport is just one example of how The Huddle achieves this! Next up for the juniors was the Huddle Activity Day! This session was also run at the North Melbourne Recreation Centre with a bus being provided for young people coming from the Wyndham region. The Activity Day provided young people the opportunity to engage in a range of different games and activities facilitated by staff from The Huddle such as Rock, Paper, Scissors Evolution, Sprout Ball, I’ve Got a Letter and many more! These activities aimed to support the young people to communicate with each other and through this, foster deeper connections and sense of belonging. One participant shared “it's safe, it makes me familiar and fun”. The value of playing fun games that encourage communication between participants was a highlight of this activity. Days like this encourage young people to have fun while feeling welcomed and safe at programs provided by The Huddle. Ice-Skating was the final event for the Juniors; this year it was run as a merged event with senior participants also attending the same session, providing a nice opportunity for siblings who cross age groups to attend together. This activity was extremely popular booking out in hours! Ice-Skating is an activity that Huddle Holidays aims to do annually, providing the chance to engage in something you might not otherwise, while also demonstrating great resilience as participants learn a challenging new skill, but show that they can get back up and keep trying after they fall. This year the session was run at Ice HQ, whose staff provided a brief intro to skating before supporting the young people to feel safe on the Ice. One participant shared about Ice- Skating, "it was my first time doing and it was really fun” and another identified that “the staff were so inclusive and kind”. We are sure there are plenty of participants ready to sign up for this activity again next year! The senior programming (13- to 18-years-old) saw two additional activities to Ice Skating, these included a competitive 3 v 3 Basketball Tournament and a Barista Course. One explained their experience as “very engaging, I had a lot of fun, I learnt some new skills and made some new friends.” As well as providing opportunities for young people to build connections the senior program tries to include opportunities like the Barista course that support young people develop skills they can use in their everyday lives and add to their resumes. The Basketball tournament was held at Eagle Stadium. It saw many returning players compete and great sportspersonship was demonstrated throughout the day! The winning team on the day featured young people who regularly attend our Huddle Up! Senior program. They had all competed before, but this was their first time winning a tournament run by The Huddle. To learn more about our free Sport and Recreation program head to the link here . The Barista session was run at The Huddle classroom in North Melbourne. Participants learned about the history of coffee, the different types of coffee and how to make them as well as some of the basics behind why coffee works as a business. The general key take away for each person as summed up by one participant was that “It gave me a real-life skill I can apply to my life. I learnt many new things, and it was a great experience overall.” As well as just enjoying “learning how to make coffees and hot chocolates and drinking the hot chocolates”. Another highlight of the activity was inviting staff from the North Melbourne Football Club to stop by and enjoy a free cuppa made by the young people. The Huddle was also lucky to have 3 volunteers attend from the Community Bank Seddon. These workers add so much to the program and are big reason as to why so many young people can attend the program, with their support there was over 200 attendances these holidays! 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 September 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