Earlier this year, the Matu Community of Queensland opened the Matu Community Hub Centre providing document support, homework help and much more. We spent some time with them to hear about how they did it, and the challenges along the way.
1.What is the story behind establishing your community space; what need or vision brought it to life?
The Matu Community initiated the community space to address the growing need for a safe, trusted, and welcoming place for people to connect, access support, and build stronger relationships. While the vision began within the Matu Community, it aimed to be inclusive, community-focused, and open to all local communities.
It’s about creating a shared community hub where that aim to meet the needs of all community members:
- young people could feel a sense of belonging,
- families could access practical support,
- and people from different backgrounds could gather, learn from each other, and grow together.
The belief is that when communities have a place to connect, support each other, and participate meaningfully, stronger and more resilient communities are built.
2. What does youth engagement look like in your community, and how has that shaped the programs you’ve developed?
Youth engagement is at the heart of how our community programs, such as the homework club and youth social nights are shaped, delivered, and sustained. Young people are not just participants; they play an active and meaningful role in initiating and driving these programs forward.
By creating a platform where youth contribute their ideas, skills, and lived experiences, we ensure that programs remain relevant, inclusive, and responsive to their needs. From planning and development to weekly delivery, young people are involved at every stage, which strengthens both ownership and impact.
A key example of this approach is the Matu Community Youth Development and Wellbeing Team, made up of eleven dedicated youth mentors. Youth mentors regularly check in with participants, gather feedback, and identify concerns or areas for improvement. This feedback is then brought into collective discussions, where ideas are shared, refined, and implemented collaboratively.
This structure not only empowers young people but also fosters leadership, teamwork, and accountability. The strong volunteer spirit within the youth community ensures that programs run smoothly, with everyone contributing to a shared vision. Ultimately, this co-designed and youth-led approach is a major reason why the programs are successful, engaging, and continuously evolving.
3. How do different generations within your community contribute to or participate in these activities?
Participation and support are built around an inclusive model that welcomes families and individuals from across the local community.
Elders and senior community members play a vital role by offering guidance, wisdom, and encouragement, helping to shape values and provide cultural or lived-experience insight.
Parents and adult volunteers contribute through practical support, supervision, and care, ensuring activities run smoothly and safely while fostering a supportive environment.
Young people bring energy, creativity, and fresh perspectives, often stepping into emerging leadership roles and helping to shape activities in ways that are relevant to their peers.
This intergenerational involvement creates engaging and meaningful programs grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and collective responsibility. It strengthens relationships across age groups and fosters a deeper sense of belonging and community connection.
4. What have you seen change for young people since these initiatives began?
Since the introduction of these initiatives, there has been a noticeable shift in how young people engage with the programs. They have increasingly taken on greater responsibility and accountability, showing a strong sense of ownership over the activities.
By embedding the importance of cultural values and collective effort, participants are encouraged to contribute meaningfully to the running of each program. Young people, alongside other volunteers, take on a variety of roles such as setting up the field and goal posts, preparing food for attendees, and packing up at the end of the night.
These responsibilities are coordinated with guidance from the youth development and wellbeing team, but the shared approach ensures that everyone plays a part. This has helped foster teamwork, leadership skills, and a deeper understanding of community responsibility.
Overall, young people have become more confident, engaged, and proactive, contributing not just as participants but as active leaders within the programs.
5. What role do culture and community values play in how you design and run your programs?
Culture and community values are the foundation of both the design and execution of the program. Matu culture strongly emphasises connection, empathy, and collective responsibility, which are reflected in all aspects of the initiatives.
One guiding principle is the idea to “rejoice with those who rejoice and mourn with those who mourn.” This encourages community members to remain connected to one another’s experiences, avoiding indifference and instead sharing both joy and hardship. It fosters a strong sense of unity, where achievements are celebrated together and challenges are faced collectively.
Serving others before self is another key cultural value that underpins the program. Respect for elders and attentiveness to the needs of others help shape the attitudes and actions of volunteers and participants. This is evident in the commitment of community members who consistently contribute their time and effort in planning and delivering activities alongside the community leadership team.
Overall, these cultural values create a program environment built on mutual support, respect, and shared purpose. They guide not only what is done, but how it is done, ensuring that all activities are meaningful, inclusive, and community-driven.
6. Have there been any challenges and how have you navigated them?
Engaging young people does come with its challenges. Like many grassroots initiatives, sustaining programs over time requires consistent resources, committed volunteers, strong coordination, and ongoing community support. It is also important to ensure that activities remain relevant, accessible, and welcoming to all participants.
A key way we have navigated these challenges is by walking alongside young people through shared experiences and journeys. Staying grounded in the needs of the community, actively listening, and building strong rapport with participants have been essential in maintaining engagement.
We have also focused on fostering openness, collaboration, and volunteer support, while developing meaningful partnerships with others who share a commitment to community wellbeing. These relationships have helped strengthen the sustainability of the programs.
Most importantly, by remaining flexible and inclusive in our approach, we have been able to adapt to challenges and continue building programs that grow in both relevance and impact over time.
7. What advice would you share with other communities looking to strengthen intergenerational connections and youth engagement?
One of the most important lessons is to begin with genuine listening. Strong initiatives grow when communities take the time to understand the needs, hopes, and ideas of their own people, especially young people. It is also important to create spaces that are safe, welcoming, and consistent, because trust and participation are built over time.
Another key lesson is to be intentional about inclusion. Even when an initiative begins within one community, it can still be designed in a way that welcomes others and builds broader local connection. Involving elders, parents, leaders, volunteers, and young people together help strengthen intergenerational relationships and creates a shared sense of ownership.
Most importantly, focus on belonging. When people feel respected, included, and valued, stronger communities naturally begin to form. That is often where the most meaningful and lasting impact begins.
To read more about the Matu Community of Queensland,
- check out their website
- email the team at info@matucommunityqueensland.org.au
- or visit them at their new Matu Community Hub Centre at 35 Tamarind Street, Marsden QLD 4132
