Calling all young people: jam with your friends in a converted bunker
Published on 17 February 2023
Phoenix Youth Centre is back better than ever with improved bookable spaces, including a unique sound-proof room for young people to flex their musical talents.
The municipality’s dedicated space for young people aged 12-25 has reopened after pandemic related closures and more recently, a complete face lift to the interior.
Originally an Air Raid Precautions Centre designed to protect civilians from danger in World War II, the Youth Centre offers multiple casual and bookable spaces for young people in our municipality to meet, create and socialise. This includes casual lounge spaces, and meeting rooms – alongside an auditorium, which is used for forums, workshops and performances, and a gallery space, which is used for art exhibitions.
As part of the facelift, the bunker room has also now been converted into the perfect space for band rehearsals, recording and production – complete with a fresh lick of paint, new carpet and furniture.
As well as these spaces, the Centre offers a range of fun and exciting programs young people can enjoy and become involved in, including a Street Art mentorship with acclaimed local street artist Heesco, who is well known for his large-scale silo art across regional Australia and more recently the large mural at Footscray City Primary School.
Music lovers and emerging musicians can also enrol in an eight-week mentoring program to learn the musical ropes, taking part in composition workshops and recording sessions to create their own songs.
New gender-neutral amenities were also created, and the various meeting rooms have received new flooring, paint and furniture.
The Air Raid building, designed by British-born architect Joseph Plottel (who also designed the iconic Footscray Town Hall), was adapted into a space for youth activities in 2009.
For more information or to hire a space, call 90901 4700, visit phoenixyouth.com.au, or email phoenix@maribyrnong.vic.gov.au
The Phoenix Youth Centre refurbishment was funded by Council and a Creative Victoria Grant.
Are you a young person looking to be involved in the community?
Expressions of Interest are also being invited from young people aged 12-25 for the 2023 Maribyrnong Youth Advisory Committee (MYAC), which represents the diverse voices of young people within the City of Maribyrnong by advocating for issues affecting them.
For more information and to apply, visit Maribyrnong.vic.gov.au/MYAC
Quote attributable to Mayor, Councillor Sarah Carter
We understand how important it is to the health and wellbeing of young people that they have an accessible, inclusive and safe space to come together to connect and socialise.
At Phoenix they are able to foster meaningful relationships with other likeminded individuals right here in their neighbourhood
I hope young people across Maribyrnong and visitors to the area take the time to enjoy this wonderful space – including hunkering down in the new bunker – and all of the programs and activities on offer.
Maribyrnong News
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