Banyule Youth Services
We 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.
Our Team
This is who we are and how to get in touch with us.
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 supports the team to create and deliver our annual Youth Action Plan 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
Maddi Cooper
Jets Team Leader
She/They pronouns
Maddi oversees the running of Jets Studios. She supports the Jets Staff, creative arts programs, pathways, community groups and events. Maddi 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.
Maddi oversees our yearly youth festivals, including YouthFest.
Chat to Maddi if you want to learn more about Jets Studios or education & training opportunities for young people.
Email: maddi.cooper@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9490 4222
Mobile: 0481 003 524
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 coordinates our school holiday events, which include free, cheap and fun things to do in Banyule for young people – make sure you check out www.banyuleyouth.com/schoolholidays to book in!
Lisa runs our successful Dungeons & Dragons program which has continued to grow and has a large community of young people ranging from beginners to Dungeon Masters. Check out the latest at www.banyuleyouth.com/dd
Lisa can also be found presenting at school workshops – specialising in Wellbeing & Self care. She also does a “Youthwork 101” presentation for new youth workers, teachers & community groups. These presentations can be adapted to fit the audience, time & experience.
Lisa is also available for catch-ups with young people who need support
Email: lisa.said@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9457 9897
Mobile: 0427 833 321
Sadia Ali
Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Sadia supports young people and their families through referrals, overseeing the cultural diversity portfolio and strategic/partnerships. Sadia leads the Somali women’s action group (SWAG), empowering young Somali-Australian women with recreational activities. Sadia focuses on supporting CALD families and the delivery of programmatic responses to support CALD families and intergenerational events.
Email: Sadia.Ali@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0479 191 838
Kieran West
Youth Engagement Officer
He/Him pronouns
Kieran is available for catch-ups with young people via supported referrals and oversees our Communications portoflio, running our website and social media pages to give young people information and support.
Kieran runs regular consultation opportunities for young people to provide feedback on a range of things like new services, plans and local issues.
Kieran also has oversight of our Schools Portfolio where we deliver a range of engaging workshops on topics that affect young people. Our workshops are free, fun, discussion-based and include various practical activities.
Email: kieran.west@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 0402 389 862
Jay Underwood
Youth Programs Officer (FReeZA & Pathways)
They/Them pronouns
Based out of Jets Studios, Jay facilitates the Jets Events & Production Team.
Jay supports the Jets Events team with tasks such as conceptualising, developing and managing youth-led, all-ages events and projects, and facilitates musicians to meet their career goals. Jay is also responsible for the Creatives for Hire directory and resources, helping your people get paid for sophisticated skills.
Email: jay.underwood@banyule.vic.gov.au
Landline/Teams: 03 9422 6138
Mobile: 0434 187 511
Leza Cullen
Jets Inclusion Officer
She/Her pronouns
Leza is our Jets Inclusion Officer and oversees our Jets disability programming and advocacy. This includes ensuring our facility, resources and program delivery is inclusive, welcoming, and educational. Leza’s goal is to ensure all young people who attend Jets do so feeling comfortable and included.
Leza uses her art industry skills to facilitate Jets Express our Monday night all abilities program. Express is a fun and welcoming night where young people with all abilities can get together in the community to develop life skills and connections with peers, whilst exploring art and music through weekly artist facilitated workshops.
Leza also oversees the BYS’s Market Space portfolio, supporting Banyule’s up and coming young, makers, designers, and visual artists to engage in entrepreneurial market and sales opportunities in the community.
To get involved email Leza directly at Leza.Cullen@banyule.vic.gov.au
Mobile: 0411 267 427
Zianeb Ramadan
Jets Youth Intake Officer
She/Her pronouns
Zianeb is the Intake Officer at Jets Studios. She sets young people up with a positive experience by completing an intake and assessment to identify their goals and their suitability within our weekly programs. Zianeb also manages the onboarding process of our participants and conducts tours to welcome young people to the space.
Email: zianeb.ramadan@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9242 3436
Abdirahman Hassan
Youth Outreach & Programs Officer
He/Him pronouns
Abdi is part of Councils Inclusive Employment Program. During his time in the Youth Services Team Abdi will be working with the Somali-Australian community through recreation programs/events, social opportunities, workshops, and employment support events.
Email: abdirahman.hassan@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: 9422 6188
Duncan Stephen
Jets Facility & Technical Administrator
He/Him pronouns
Duncan is an experienced sound engineer and musician who takes care of the Jets facility and all its amazing resources and equipment. He uses his skills to support young people in the Freeza program to produce their music, as well as managing production for live events.
Email: duncan.stephen@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9422 6123
Mobile: 0468 567 605
Madi Vandersluys
Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Madi oversees our biennial Youth Summit, where we bring together 100 young people from across Banyule to talk about issues that matter to them such as climate change, youth voice and mental health. Madi supports the team to deliver the Youth Summit recommendations provided by young people to create positive change in Banyule.
Madi also oversees the LGBTQIA+ portfolio, including running our weekly Rainbow Space group at Jets Studios. Rainbow Space is a fun, welcoming environment for LGBTQIA+ young people and allies be creative, learn new skills and to connect to the Queer community.
Email: madison.vandersluys@banyule.vic.gov.au
Mobile: 0481 053 420
Sebastian Fransz
Youth Engagement Officer
He/Him pronouns
Seb is the lead worker for the New Hope street and graffiti art program, where young artists can improve their skills and develop their creativity in a safe and supportive environment. Seb also oversees the Banyule Mural Project and supports recreational initiatives such as skate, scooter, and bike events.
Email: sebastian.fransz@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9490 4222
Mobile: 0466603751
Jess Sayers
Youth Engagement Officer
She/Her pronouns
Jess is one of our youth engagement officers and loves catching up with young people for supported referral. She supports the Banyule Nillumbik Youth Services Network which works to provide connection and training for professionals who work with young people in the area. Keep an eye out for free online parent workshops to! Jess also loves to support our First Nations community within Banyule.
Email: jessica.sayers@banyule.vic.gov.au
Phone: (03) 9457 9983
Mobile: 0468753812
Cheyanne McRae
Jets Facility Support Assistant
She/They pronouns
Cheyanne is part of Councils Inclusive Employment Program. During their time in the Youth Services Team they will be supporting Jets Studio as a direct assistant for admin tasks and programs. Cheyanne is a proud contributor and design assistant for the Banyule Disability Newsletter and she’s excited to be assisting young people with creative projects.
Email: cheyanne.mcrae@banyule.vic.gov.au