HEY Grants

Transforming the Narrative - $5,000

‘Transforming the Narrative’ is a 6-month creative writing program for young trans and gender diverse (TGD) writers. Through a series of creative writing workshops facilitated by Trans and Gender Diverse author Matt Ivy Richardson, these young people will create a book of short stories that explore themes of their lived experience being TGD.

‍‘Transforming the Narrative’ has been designed by and for trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people aged 16 - 25 and places their voices, experiences and decision-making at the centre of the project.

The final book will be released at a book launch event at the conclusion of the program, and shared across Melbourne’s Western suburbs and beyond, providing a meaningful platform for these young people’s stories to be told. 

About Moonee Valley City Council

Moonee Valley City Council is a local government authority in Melbourne's inner north-west. Council's Young Communities team promotes youth culture, equity and participation in Moonee Valley. Council is dedicated to empowering young people by delivering safe, inclusive, and accessible programs, activities, and events for individuals of all identities and abilities.

Positive Resources for Youth that are co-Designed and Engaging - (PRYDE) videos - $6,600 (statewide)

'PRYDE videos' is a series of short, animated videos for trans and gender diverse (TGD) young people and carers! These will be an alternative to lengthy, non-neuro-affirming information sheets/discussions. Workshops will be held with children, adolescents and carers to shape themes and information included in the videos. Audio recordings from TGD young people will be used to voice animated characters.

We want to create youth-friendly, neuro-affirming, and engaging resources about gender affirmation. This will empower young people to understand their options and preferences. It is important for young TGD folks to experience healthcare as accessible, equitable and collaborative.

About the Royal Children's Hospital

The mission of the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) Gender Service is to improve the physical and mental health outcomes of trans, gender diverse, and non-binary children and adolescents.

Wodonga TAFE Pride Bonanza - $8,000

The 'Wodonga TAFE Pride Bonanza' is a free lunchtime celebration of diversity, inclusion and belonging. The event will create a safe and visible space for LGBTQIA+ students and staff to connect, access support services and celebrate their diversity through a variety of interactive activities, storytelling, live music and the creation of a mural by a local emerging artist. The event will provide a means of connection, support and meaningful experiences for the LGBTIQA+ community and the broader TAFE Community.

About Wodonga Institute of TAFE

Wodonga TAFE as part of Northern Victoria’s Institute of TAFE’s purpose is ‘Realising potential’. We accomplish this through offering quality education and training to equip and empower young people and adults through education to achieve their educational and employment goals.

Worldbuilders: Queer Cosplay and Creature Creation - $10,000

'Worldbuilders' connects LGBTIQA+ young people (12-18) from Bendigo with professional artists from Arena Theatre Company across four workshops in the January school holidays.

Taking inspiration from this cohort's love of fantasy cosplay, young people will build costumes, props and augmented-reality creatures, culminating in a professional photoshoot to celebrate what they've made.

Beyond skill-building, the project creates consistent peer connection during the school-holiday period that can be especially isolating for this cohort and gives participants creative ownership over how they express identity. The young peoples' AR creatures may also be shown publicly, extending visibility and pride beyond Bendigo.

About Arena Theatre Company

Arena Theatre Company is an independent arts organisation based in Bendigo — and one of Australia’s longest-running professional companies making work for young audiences.

Our vision is a world where every young person has access to live, meaningful creative experiences and the confidence, creativity and voice that comes from them.

Hey Let's Celebrate - $9,975 (Statewide)

Our LGBTQIA+ peer youth mentors will deliver inclusive youth events creating safe, welcoming spaces where LGBTQIA+ young people can connect, socialise and celebrate their authentic selves. Designed with and for young people, events will reduce isolation, strengthen peer connections and promote belonging, key protective factors for mental health and wellbeing. Activities provide opportunities for young people to meet others with shared experiences, build confidence, develop friendships and participate in joyful, affirming experiences without fear, judgement or exclusion. Our peer-led approach ensures lived experience shapes the program, creating environments where LGBTQIA+ young people feel valued, respected, visible and connected to community.

About Different Journeys

Different Journeys supports autistic people, unpaid carers and families to build connection, confidence and wellbeing through peer support, social connection and practical assistance. For young LGBTQIA+ autistic people, it provides safe, affirming spaces to connect with peers, strengthen identity and belonging, and access support that recognises their intersecting experiences.

Darebin Youth Queer Planning Committee - $5,500

The Darebin Youth Queer Planning Committee will take place across two terms, facilitating weekly meetings with a group of LGBTIQA+ young co-designers, supporting them to develop, plan, and deliver two dedicated events for local LGBTIQA+ youth. This project seeks to respond directly to the feedback and experiences of LGBTQIA+ young people within Darebin, who have directly requested more LGBTQIA+ youth-led events in Darebin. This project will scaffold social connection and develop community-building skills for young people, empowering the youth committee to develop both their events in response to the needs and desires of their own peers and community.

About Darebin City Council

Darebin Youth Services values a responsive and empowering approach to supporting young people of all backgrounds and experiences. Our programs focus on development, belonging and connectedness; recognising that strong social connections, identity and safe spaces for self-expression improve young people’s health and wellbeing and strengthen their hope for the future.

All Welcome? - $10,000 (Melbourne)

'All Welcome?' is a short documentary made with young LGBTQIA+ international students and migrants, particularly for the trans, gender diverse and non-binary (TGDNB) community. Five young people will share what it takes to feel safe and visible in everyday public space: walking home, eating out, using a library, speaking their own language. Filming sits inside co-design storytelling workshops delivered with the City of Melbourne libraries, facilitated by young people from our community. Feifei Curiosity provides creative direction and production. The film premieres at a free community screening. Participants build confidence and connection; libraries, councils and services hear directly what belonging asks of them.

About Out Point 3 Inc.

Our Point 3 is Victoria's first not-for-profit for LGBTQIA+ international students and migrants. We create belonging through storytelling, community gatherings and creative projects, and we work for systemic change so young people who hold both queer and migrant identities are visible, safe and heard.

Let’s Talk Queer Relationships (Working Title) - $10,000 (statewide)

'Let’s Talk Queer Relationships' is an interactive workshop for LGBTIQA+ young people aged 12–25 years, designed to build understanding of healthy relationships and identify and respond to intimate partner violence. Developed and facilitated by FVREE’s Youth LGBTIQA+ Lived Experience Advocate, with support from our LGBTIQA+ Practice Lead, the workshop will be co-designed with FVREE’s lived experience advocates and young people from Family Access Network. Participants will gain knowledge and confidence to identify family violence in LGBTIQA+ relationships (in their own life and others), challenge harmful LGBTIQA+ relationship norms, and strengthen their understanding of how to access appropriate support.

About FVREE

FVREE is the leading specialist family violence service, working with women, children and young people, people from marginalised communities, their families, pets and animals in Melbourne’s Eastern Metropolitan Region. We work across the continuum of family violence, including investing in primary prevention and education.