Youth events

The City of Casey has a variety of programs and activities for Casey youth including: 

• Autumn School Holidays
• Casey 360 Bus
• You can join IGN!TE Entertainment to help deliver our FReeZA events
• Plus groups for young writers, arts and music

Expand the panels below for more information

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Casey Creations - Youth Arts Competitions August 2025

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Casey Creations - Youth Arts Competition 2024 has been postponed until August 2025. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and look forward to your participation next year.

In the meantime, we encourage you to continue exploring your artistic passions. Keep drawing, painting, creating digital art, taking pictures, or making short films and animations. We can't wait to see what you create!

Casey Fresh Words - Young Writers Workshops 2025

Join the City of Casey Youth Services and Connected Libraries for a fun day of workshops and Q&As with popular Australian authors.

Date: Tuesday 15 April 2025
Time: 9.30am-3pm 
Venue: Endeavour Hills Library  (10 Raymond McMahon Blvd, Endeavour Hills)

Workshops are FREE and open to young people in grade 5 – year 12 who live/study in the City of Casey.  

Workshop Schedule

WORKSHOP 1
TIME: 9.30AM-11AM  
Author: Danielle Binks  
Creative Writing Session: All-you-need-to-know about short-story writing 

Have you ever wanted to draft a short story but did not know where to start? This introductory session, designed for students, covers the fundamentals of short story writing, and encourages creative exploration to boost communication skills and imagination. Danielle Blinks will guide you through key concepts, including the differences between short stories and novels, the essential characteristics of a short story, the universal secrets of storytelling, and how to generate ideas by sparking your imagination. You will discover how all stories, big or small, can improve your writing!

WORKSHOP 2
TIME: 11.30AM-1PM  
Author:  Joel McKerrow  
Session: Poetry Writing Process - for STAGE (slam poetry) and PAGE (written works)

Ever wanted to ditch the "boring" label on poetry? Meet Joel McKerrow! He's not your average poet – he's an award-winning writer, speaker, and performance poet who's rocked stages around the world. Imagine someone who can actually make poetry cool!

For over fifteen years, Joel's been dropping mind-blowing insights in schools, libraries, and festivals, showing young people that words can be powerful and fun. He's got a seriously energetic style that can even crack through that "too cool" vibe.

Whether you're into poetry or just telling awesome stories, Joel's workshops will help you unlock your creative superpowers. He'll show you how to blend writing with performance, so you can make your words jump off the page. Think: spoken word poetry that lets you explore who you are, what you care about, and how to make a difference. Get ready to find your voice and tell your story like never before!

WORKSHOP 3
TIME: 1.30PM-3PM  
Author: Amelia Mellor  
Creative Writing Session: Solving the Plot Puzzle  

Want to write an ending that resonates? Why don't all stories have "happily ever afters"? And can a story be gripping without explosions? Author Amelia Mellor will coach aspiring writers beyond the basic "beginning, middle, end" structure, showing them how to craft cohesive plots with compelling setups, development, and resolutions. Participants will learn about internal and external conflict, the difference between happy and satisfying endings, the importance of stakes, and explore various resolution techniques like The Face-off, The Mystery Revealed, The Grand Final, and The Sacrifice. Topics include why "it was all a dream" falls flat; plotting as problem-solving; the nuances of satisfying endings; what stakes are; the Dark Night of the Soul; and eight common resolution types.
 

PLACES ARE LIMITED. BOOK NOW

Workshops are FREE and open to young people in Grade 5 – Year 12 who live/study in the City of Casey.  

For workshops information or questions, please contact tmcmanus@casey.vic.gov.au

 

Casey Fresh Words Young Writers Competition 2025

Put your writing skills to the test and let your imagination soar in the Casey Fresh Words Young Writers Competition 2025 for the chance to win some amazing prizes!

The Fresh Words Young Writers competition is open to students in Grade 5 – Year 12
in the following categories:

• Creative Writing - Maximum 750 words (any topic/theme)
• Poetry/Lyrics - Maximum 1 page (any topic/theme)
• English as an Additional Language - Maximum 750 words (any topic/theme, open to students who are currently enrolled in EAL studies)

How to enter

Entries open Monday 24 February and close on Monday 21 April 2025

• Submit your Casey Fresh Words Young Writers Competition entry online.
• Please review the terms and conditions on the form before submitting

For more information

• Check out the 2025 Fresh Words Young Writers Competition Flyer
• Read about the 2024 Fresh Words Young Writers Competition Winners
• Check out the Fresh Words Young Writers Booklet 2024 to see the winning entries in creative writing and poetry/lyrics
• For any questions, please contact tmcmanus@casey.vic.gov.au

FReeZA Committee – IGN!TE Entertainment 

FReeZA is a Victorian Government initiative that supports young Victorians to get involved in the community by planning and running drug, alcohol, and smoke-free events for other young people.

FReeZA Youth Committee - IGN!TE Entertainment is looking for Casey young people aged 12-25 to join the committee. 

As a committee member, you will be able to:

• Learn about event management from planning to delivery, with a focus on creating safe and fun events for your peers.
• Gain hands-on experience in all aspects of event management, including artist liaison, stage management, and technical production.
• Meet other young people from your community and make a difference.
• Develop valuable skills that you can use in your future career or to make a difference in your community.
• Network with other young people and professionals.
• Support local musicians, artists, and performers.

FReeZA program delivers every two weeks during the school term. 

• When: Tuesdays, every two weeks
• Time: 5:30pm - 7:30pm
• Location: Narre Warren Youth Information Centre
• Cost: FREE

Interested in becoming an IGN!TE Entertainment committee member?

Complete your Expression of Interest form.

Submissions must be completed by January 31st 2025. 

For further information about FReeZA please check out www.freeza.vic.gov.au or If you would like speak to Casey FReeZA team please contact the City of Casey 9705 5200 or email Veronica Stanley at vstanley@casey.vic.gov.au.

Music and art groups

The City of Casey has purpose-built performing arts rehearsal centre called The Factory. 

The Factory is home to more than 25 performing arts groups that host dance, theatre, chorale, tutorial, film and many other forms of performing arts activities.

It features a range of rehearsal and practice rooms for hire and a recording studio and video production services for hire.

Casey Young Performers - Call Out

Shine On Stage!

Do you have a talent or skills to share?

City of Casey Youth Services is looking for young performers aged 12-25 years to feature on our upcoming youth events. 

We offer paid opportunities for performers of all types and skill levels, including singers, musicians, dancers, comedians, spoken word poets, magicians, and more.

What are the requirements?

• Performers must be aged 12-25 years old
• Performers must live, work, study, or have a significant connection with the City of Casey

How can I get involved?

Please register your interest by completing the online form.