About us

Cherry Grimwade (she/her)
Coordinator Youth Engagement and Pathways
CherryG@hume.vic.gov.au

Cherry started at Hume in June 2021 and leads the Youth Engagement & Pathway Unit.  She has been working in the youth sector for over fifteen years in the local, State and community sectors. She works closely with schools, service providers, community agencies and community leaders to plan and deliver responsive programs for young people in Hume. 

Cherry is into organic gardening, walking her two energic pups, reading and binge-watching Netflix shows!  

Rita Del Pizzo (she/her)
Business and Program Support Officer
youth@hume.vic.gov.au

Rita is the Business and Program Support Officer and started at Hume in December 2021. Her role provides administrative and program support to the Youth Engagement and Pathways Unit; and can be contacted for any inquiries regarding programs offered by the YEP Unit.

She has over 15 years’ experience working in various administrative roles within the education and local government sector.

In her spare time Rita enjoys catching up with family and friends.

Lorence (Cruz) Bakri (he/him)
Team Leader Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership 
LorenceB@hume.vic.gov.au

Cruz is the Acting Team Leader Mental Health Wellbeing and Leadership since August 2023.

Cruz has been working with young people for over 13 years, predominantly from the Hume region and has been with Hume City Council since 2011, moving through multiple roles during this time.

When not working, Cruz loves spending quality time with friends and family, watching a good movie or series and spending time outdoors. 

Meet the staff within your local region:

Broadmeadows & Central Region

Anna Lewenhagen-Allvin (she/her)
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Development Officer
AnnaL@hume.vic.gov.au

Anna is the Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Development Officer in Broadmeadows and Central Hume region which includes both Broadmeadows Youth Central and Roxburgh Park Youth Centre.  She leads a team of Youth Support Officers providing engagement and development opportunities for local young people through youth centres, local schools, and various community spaces.

Anna completed a Bachelor of Youth Work and Youth Studies at RMIT University and has been working and volunteering in the youth work sector for the last 7 years. Anna has experience in the design and delivery of early intervention programs, homelessness, disability, pathway support and supporting young people who have recently arrived in Australia. Anna is the program lead for the Youth Action Committee, which aligns with her passion for community, connection and advocacy. Anna enjoys drinking coffee, travelling and dancing (badly) 

Natalie Spear (She/Her)
Youth Support Officer
nataliebi@hume.vic.gov.au

Natalie is a Youth Support Officer within the Broadmeadows and Central Hume Region which includes Broadmeadows and Roxburgh Park Youth Centres.

Natalie has over 10-years’ experience in the youth sector working in Out of Home Care, homeless and community development.

She is passionate about providing opportunities for young people to be heard and giving skills to aid them in their future.

Personally, Natalie loves to play tabletop games, cooking and spending time with her friends and family.

Sunbury & Craigieburn Region

Tyronne Gietzmann (he/him)
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Development Officer 
TyronneG@hume.vic.gov.au

Tyronne is the Acting Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Development Officer responsible for the Sunbury and Craigieburn region which includes both Sunbury and Craigieburn Youth Centres. He leads a team of Youth Support Officers providing engagement and development opportunities for local young people through youth centres, local schools, and various community spaces.

Tyronne has been working in the youth sector for over eight years, both in metro and regional Victoria across a diverse cohort of young people ranging from custodial, employment and community services. Tyronne is a driven, passionate and empathetic professional with a wide range of experience, having worked varied roles throughout his career as a youth worker.

Outside of work, Tyronne is an established visual artist, musician and social justice advocate, combining all these to strive for a better tomorrow. He is also a self-confessed geek who loves anything Sci-Fi, Anime or Lord of The Rings.

Melinda Xeres (she/her)
Middle Years & Transitions Officer
melindax@hume.vic.gov.au

Melinda is Hume City Council’s Middle Years & Transitions Officer. She works with schools, service providers and families across the region to support young people aged 6-12 to thrive, connect and stay engaged with school. A key part of Melinda’s role is to understand gaps and explore what supports can be offered for young people embarking on the crucial transition from primary to secondary school.

Melinda has been working with young people and families for over 11 years. She is currently completing her Masters of Social Work and some of her roles include homelessness sector both in Victoria and the UK, working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, youth and family support in local government.

Melinda’s passions include spoken word and poetry, bike riding, trying new and interesting cuisines, quality time with her family and friends and playing basketball.

Vanessa Petridis (she/her)
Team Leader Partnerships, Engagement and Pathways
VanessaP2@hume.vic.gov.au

Vanessa is the Partnerships, Engagement and Pathways Team Leader. She has been working with Hume City Council for 12 years moving through multiple roles, and in the youth sector for over five years.

Vanessa works across the municipality and is responsible for the development, delivery and evaluation of skill-building and pathways to education, training and employment for young people predominantly aged 18 to 24 years.

Vanessa loves being creative and having fun exploring different art techniques and styles. She also loves going on long walks with her dogs! 

She is also a passionate Collingwood supporter…. only when they win! 

Richard Craig (he/him)
Youth Engagement and Pathways Officer
richardc@hume.vic.gov.au

Richard is one of the Youth Engagement and Pathways Officer. Richard has been working in the youth work sector for 10 years across multiple different roles and started with Hume City Council in April 2022.

Richard supports with the planning, development and delivery of programs that support young people to engage and build positive pathways that can help them find employment or engage in education.

Richard loves football (real football!) and is a passionate supporter of Liverpool FC, and spending time with his family and friends. 

Roukaya Hassoun (she/her)
Hume Empowering Communities Project Officer
roukayah@hume.vic.gov.au

Roukaya is the Hume Empowering Communities Project Officer. Roukaya supports the planning, development, and implementation of the Hume Empowering Communities grants program, working closely with community organisations to facilitate community designed and delivered initiatives.  

Roukaya has been working across the community and education sectors for almost 10 years, with both local and international experience. She is passionate about community led development and the empowerment it brings, with particular interest in projects that are culturally inclusive and responsive, and abolitionist in design and impact. 

Outside of work, Roukaya runs a community film initiative, which produces free monthly screenings of Arabic language film and cultural outreach around Melbourne. She also loves playing backgammon and learning languages.  

Emilia Todaro (she/her)
Youth Engagement & Support Officer
EmiliaT@hume.vic.gov.au

Emilia is the Youth Engagement & Support Officer and has been a youth worker for over 10 years.

Emilia works with the Youth Engagement & Pathway Officers to deliver recognition, leadership and pathway programs for young people aged 18 to 24 years. Emilia is passionate about empowering young people to identify their strengths and give them the opportunity to be the amazing people that they are and reach their full potential.

Dance, music and reading and having a bash on her electric drumkit makes her heart sing!

Youth Central is open for programs and activities at set times. Please see 2023 Term 4 Programs

Youth Central is a recently refurbished facility that has been set up with open space as the key feature that allows for multiple uses. The main venue space has vinyl flooring throughout with a lounge space, dining space and kitchenette incorporated close together. This venue allows for the potential of multiple suitable bookings taking place at the same time.

The facility can be hired from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

This centre offers:

• Kitchen
• Dishwasher
• Commercial Kitchen
• Meeting Rooms
• Wall mounted TV
• 4 computers
• Wi-Fi
• Air Conditioning
• Heating
• Toilets
• 10 Tables and 60 Chairs
• Dining area space for estimated 12 people
• Parking adjacent to the centre
• Pool table
• Table tennis table
• Couch space for estimated 16 people
• Studio B estimated 24 people

Venue Capacity

Main Venue Space - Maximum of 100 people

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Please visit the Youth Central hire page for more information.

The centre is available for community use, as well as use by Youth Services, agencies and groups.  

Roxburgh Park Youth Centre is open for programs and activities at set times. Please see 2023 Term 4 Programs

Roxburgh Park Youth Centre is a newly renovated facility that has been set up with open space as the key feature. The main venue space has both a vinyl floored space with access to a kitchen and a carpeted lounge area.

The facility can be hired from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

This centre offers:

• Main activity space
• Kitchen
• Wall mounted TV
• 3 computers
• Air Conditioning
• Heating
• Toilets
• 4 Tables and 20 Chairs
• Parking adjacent to the centre
• Pool table
• Table tennis table

Venue Capacity

Main Venue Space - Maximum of 60 people

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Please visit the Roxburgh Park Youth Centre hire page for more information.

Craigieburn Youth Centre is open for programs and activities at set times. Please see 2023 Term 4 Programs

Craigieburn Youth Centre has an entry foyer that opens to one main room with capacity to separate into two spaces via a movable wall. This allows for a training room or formal meeting space to be set up in one area.

One half of the room is set up as an activity space with pool table, couches, TV, meals area with vinyl flooring and access to the kitchen. The majority of the space has carpet throughout.

The facility can be hired from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

This centre offers:

• Entry foyer
• All abilities access
• Activity space
• Meeting rooms
• Air conditioning
• Heating
• Kitchen (microwave, fridge, stove, oven and kettle, dishwasher)
• Toilets
• 10 x tables
• 20 x chairs
• 2 x couches
• Television
• Pool Table
• Parking

Venue Capacity

Youth Activity Space - Maximum of 25 people

Training Room Space - Maximum of 25 people

Main Venue Space (used as one space and not divided) - Maximum capacity of 50 people.

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Please visit the Craigieburn Youth Centre hire page for more information.

The Sunbury Youth Centre is open for programs and activities at set times. Please see 2023 Term 4 Programs

The Sunbury Youth Centre front entry is located on Evans Street, Sunbury. The main activity space is at the front of the youth centre and connects to an open plan kitchen. The main space opens to an outside courtyard which has an outdoor table and seating. The youth centre also offers a rear venue space which includes a stage and access to a kitchenette. The centre has carpet throughout.  

The facility can be hired from 9am to 10pm, Monday to Sunday.

Counselling rooms on site: 

Two counselling rooms with two access doors are available for services to book and host client meetings. These can be booked on a casual or ongoing basis.

This centre offers:

• Entry foyer
• All abilities access
• Activity space
• Venue space with stage
• Air Conditioning
• Heating
• Kitchen (microwave, fridge, stove, oven and kettle, dishwasher)
• Toilets
• Tables
• Chairs
• Couch
• Television
• Pool table
• Table tennis

Venue Capacity

Front Activity Space - Maximum of 60 people

Rear Venue Space - Maximum of 100 people

Courtyard - Maximum of 12 people 

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Please visit the Sunbury Youth Centre hire page for more information.