Kombiz - History

For many decades local churches lead the way in providing services and supports for disadvantaged young people. South Port Uniting Church in particular had been running Clarendon Drop In and providing youth workers and material aid for generations of young people in difficult circumstances.

In 1990, local Anglican and Uniting Churches decided that what they individually offered young people could be done better if they worked together. Creating SPAUMAY - South Port Ministries Among Youth, the churches were intentional about forming authentic relationships and meeting real needs. Young people were not our "clients" and we did not presume to have all the answers. While the name was somewhat clumsy, the choice to be in ministry among young people rather than to or for was intentional.

SPAUMAY conducted discussions with the (then) City of Port Melbourne who supported the trial of a Friday night recreation program. "Kombiz" became the place to meet with friends and adults who cared. For some these were the only adults in their lives who showed respect towards them and each other. A combination of Drop in and outings gave young people something to do, places to go and people to be with.

Over the years Kombiz Youth Network has enabled thousands of young people to connect with each other, positive adult role models and the wider community. Programs and supports have grown and changed to meet the changing needs of the young people and their schools.

Previous programs and projects have included:

SAVAGE
42Q
Adventure camps
Arts projects
Family film nights
Generation L
Joy Club
Kombiz
Leadership programs
Seminars on youth spirituality, body image, resilience, etc.
The Berry Stringer Show
The Big Chill
The Friday Thing
This Is Our Place
Under Under Over Festival
Values for Life

The end of 2006 marked a dramatic change for young people with the closure of Albert Park College. Needing a place to call their own, we worked with them to create a new space at Sol Green recreation Centre in South Melbourne.

In 2007 our name changed to Kombiz Youth Network - the name change marked some major changes that had occurred including relocating our office to Sol Green to be more accessible for young people, creating 5 new programs at the centre and the growing number of churches and agencies in partnership with us.

In 2010 our church partners were unable to maintain the auspice of Kombiz Youth Network and a new owner was required. South Port Uniting Care with its historic involvement of SPAUMAY and Kombiz was the natural choice. On 1st October 2010 Kombiz Youth Network finally became a South Port Uniting Care program.

Kombiz Youth Network operates now with broad support from local church and community organisations as well as the City of Port Phillip .