Our Street Peace Christmas night in Bendigo was truly special, filled with fun, laughter, and great energy.
On Wednesday 17th December, the Nest in Frankston was full, not just with noise and colour, but with belonging. Around 75 young people filled the space as we celebrated our Street Peace Christmas Party, each one welcomed, seen, and deeply valued.
It’s been a massive couple of months for our Gippsland Street Peace crew. Every Wednesday, we’re still out on the buses and trains, meeting young people right where they are, opening conversations with nothing more than a smile and a donut.
Our weekly pizza nights continue to be a highlight at Street Peace Bendigo, and it’s been so encouraging to welcome many new young people through our doors. With those who attend regularly, we’re seeing real breakthroughs—youth are beginning to open up, share their stories, and trust our team . A standout moment has been our prayer circle , which the young people themselves have started leading! During this time, we share short stories, testimonies, and messages, sparking meaningful conversations and deeper connections . To guide these discussions even further, we’ve recently introduced weekly themes . This approach is helping to bring focus and depth to our time together, creating space for youth to reflect, grow, and feel a stronger sense of belonging. At Street Peace, these moments remind us that trust, community, and a listening ear can make a real difference in the lives of young people. ~ Holly Phillis & Bendigo Team
In September, we came together to celebrate Multicultural Day at Street Peace — and what a feast it was! Food has an amazing way of bringing people together, reminding us that every culture, every dish, and every story has value. A huge thank you to everyone who made the day possible: · Anita – for the heartwarming lasagna · Anna – for the sweet chocolate ripple cake · AJ – for her baked goods · Aunty Jay – for her support in the kitchen · Aunty Pari – for the steam puddings · Wade – for the banana keke · Nat – for the Peruvian chicken · Aunty Lilly – for the chop suey & rice, raw fish, raro donuts, banana poke, and sticky date pudding A special shoutout to Island TYM and Nandos for joining in the celebrations! Multiculturalism matters deeply for disenfranchised youth because it shows them that identity is not lost — it’s celebrated . When young people see their cultures honoured and shared, it builds pride, belonging, and unity . At Street Peace, we believe that every culture reflects God’s creativity, and together, we make up a richer, stronger family.
At Street Peace, this September we walked alongside our young people through the powerful theme of accountability. We explored thought-provoking questions with the youth: What choices did you make? Did you own them? Were you controlled by the choices of your past? Did you live in freedom? Did you live without shame? For many disengaged youth, accountability wasn’t just about saying “my bad.” It was about building trust, owning their path, and stepping into a future defined not by mistakes, but by growth. It was a journey of taking responsibility, learning, and discovering the freedom that comes from being honest with themselves and others. Testimony Spotlight One young person we support took steps to turn their life around. Together with a Street Peace advocate, this youth engaged with services and authorities, working through their past charges, growing in maturity. By embracing accountability, this youth is learning to take responsibility for their actions and is focused on building a brighter future. Thank you for standing with us as we created safe spaces for these conversations to happen. Together, we helped young people realise that accountability led to freedom.
Wednesday night pizza nights in Bendigo have quickly become something special. Each week, between 15 and 40 youth have been coming through the doors—many returning regularly, with new faces showing up all the time.
Massive thanks to Brendan and Serena for the incredible groundwork they built in Moe! As they take some time to focus on family and health, we (Brionhey and Josh Hagen) have stepped in to lead the Street Peace team across the wider Gippsland region.
This month at The Nest Youth Night and In-Reach Hub, we’ve been leaning into a theme that hits close to home for many of our young people: TRUST.
During the school holidays, Street Peace ran powerful programs for our girls and boys, creating safe spaces for connection and care.
