Rebecca Ferris (she/her)
Team Leader Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership
rebeccafe@hume.vic.gov.au
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.
Meet the staff within your local region:
Broadmeadows & Central Region
Adam Forman (he/him)
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Development Officer
adamf@hume.vic.gov.au
Adam is the Acting Mental Health and Wellbeing Leadership Development Officer leading a team of Youth Support Officers providing engagement and development opportunities for local young people through youth centres, local schools, and various community spaces in Broadmeadows and Central Hume region which includes both Broadmeadows Youth Central and Roxburgh Park Youth Centre.
Adam completed his degree in community and youth studies in 2009 in the UK, following that he worked across a variety of spaces supporting young people. Including youth justice, schools, community centres and homelessness support services.
Adam loves soccer and specifically (unfortunately) Leeds United. He is also unbeaten at FIFA since 2019. So, challenge away.
Emilia Todaro (she/her)
Youth Support Officer
EmiliaT@hume.vic.gov.au
Emilia is Officer is a Youth Support Officer within the Broadmeadows and Central Hume Region which includes Broadmeadows and Roxburgh Park Youth Centres and has been a youth worker for over 13 years.
Emilia works with the Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Team to deliver programs for young people age 12 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!
Tyronne Gietzmann (he/him)
Youth Support 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.
Sunbury & Craigieburn Region
Lorence (Cruz) Bakri (he/him)
Mental Health, Wellbeing and Leadership Development Officer
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.
Natalie Spear (she/her)
Youth Support Officer / Middle Years & Transitions Officer (until April 2025)
natalies@hume.vic.gov.au
Natalie is a Youth Support Officer within the Sunbury and Craigieburn Region which includes Sunbury and Craigieburn 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.
Larni Blythman (she/her)
Youth Support Officer
larnib@hume.vic.gov.au
Larni is a Youth Support Officer in the Hume Region which includes Sunbury and Craigieburn Youth Centres.
Larni graduated with a Bachelor of Youth Work from Victoria University. While studying she completed her placement with Hume City Council Youth Services. She has worked with young people as a mentor in a volunteer capacity.
She is a passionate and empathetic youth worker who is dedicated to empowering young people by helping them recognise their inner strengths to showcase their unique qualities.
Outside of work, Larni loves to spend time outdoors especially at the beach, cooking new dishes, and attending concerts with her friends.