Youth services and support
If you’re a young person living in our shire, there are a range of services and support available for you. Check out the info below for what’s available for people aged 12-25.
The ‘Buzz It’ card lists contact details for a range of services you may need including: emergency help, financial help, education, finding a job, health issues, mental health, alcohol and drug issues, legal support and housing.
The Buzz It card is available at Council offices, the Castlemaine Library, Castlemaine District Community Health, community organisations, local businesses and education providers.
If you’ve gotten your learner’s permit but are having trouble finding a supervising driver to get your driving hours, we’re here to help.
It’s difficult for lots of people to chalk up the necessary 120 hours of supervised driving. If you’re aged between 16 and 21, have your L plates but don’t have access to a car and/or qualified driver - this could be the answer!
In the L2P program, learner drivers are matched with specially-trained driver mentors and have access to our vehicles.
For more information, please contact Lisa Cavallaro at lcavallaro@cdch.com.au, phone 03 5479 1000 or visit Dhelkaya Health website.
The Youth Mentoring Program matches trained adult mentors with a young person (aged 12 to 24 years) in need of extra adult support and friendship. Mentors can help you learn resilience and feel more confident - we all need someone when we’re growing up.
Mentors can meet at school if preferred, or outside school hours doing a variety of fun activities together. This can be worked out with your mentor on what suits you best.
This program is a proud partnership between Castlemaine Secondary College, Dhelkaya Health, and Mount Alexander Shire and is funded by the Victorian Government's Engage! Program.
If you’re interested in being a mentor now or in the future, or want to find out more, contact Lisa Cavallaro at Dhelkaya Health on 03 5479 1000or via emaill cavallaro@cdch.com.au.
The Bulortj Children and Youth Network brings together organisations that provide services to 8-24 years olds in the Mount Alexander Shire.
The network meets bi-monthly and aims to:
- Develop and implement strategies to meet the needs of young people in Mount Alexander Shire.
- Facilitate the sharing of resources and professional capacity building.
- Steer the implementation of the Mount Alexander Middle Years Plan 2020-2023.
- Advocate for local child and youth priorities at a regional, state and federal level.
- Source resources and funding for initiatives.
The network is facilitated by Council and member organisations include:
- Dhelkaya Health
- Castlemaine Secondary College
- Local Primary Schools
- Victoria Police
- Anglicare Bendigo
- School Focused Youth Service
- Nalderun Education Aboriginal Corporation
- Bendigo Health
- Goldfields Local Learning and Employment Network
Bulortj is a Dja Dja Wurrung word for the Cherry Ballart, a symbol of cooperation and community. It is still in use today in age old Dja Dja Wurrung ceremonies of cleansing and renewal. Its use draws on the knowledge that, like children in their communities, the Bulortj cannot flourish unless it is attached to another tree.
It is a reminder of the importance of cooperation between people if all are to thrive.
For more information about the network, contact Council's Youth Development Team at youth@mountalexander.vic.gov.au.