What are the opening hours?

Tuesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm Wednesday 3:30pm - 5:30pm Thursday 3:30pm - 5:30pm Friday 3:30pm - 5:30pm Saturday 1pm - 5pm

The Venny Inc

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The Venny Inc

The Venny runs free supervised communal backyards in Kensington and Fitzroy and The Venny To You pop-up play service. For children and young people 5-16.

Children under 5 welcome with supervision. The Venny is a supervised playground and communal backyard located adjacent to the Kensington public housing estate in Melbourne’s inner North. It is a unique community space that supports intercultural play, therapeutic support and social cohesion. Children are free to come and go and participate in self-directed play. The Venny delivers early interventi

on and prevention programs that build children’s resilience. With this support, children are able to maintain their engagement in education, form stable relationships and develop positive community connections. Please donate and help The Venny deliver programs and services that have real impact on the lives of children. By donating to The Venny:

You help us design and deliver excellent early intervention and prevention programs that meet the needs of children who come to The Venny
You support interventions that change the lives of at risk children
You strengthen the local community
You contribute to the maintenance and revitalisation of a wonderful communal backyard
You validate the development of therapeutic play practices in Australia
You can make a one-off donation or become a regular donor

27/08/2026

52 boys. One room. BIG energy. 🔥

Last week, 52 boys walked through the gates for The Venny’s Boys Group — and for 22 years, this program has been creating a place where boys aged 8–15 can belong, connect, have fun, be heard and simply be themselves.

But this night was something special. ❤️

We welcomed back Zayd Safi— once a young participant at The Venny, now an incredible youth worker and mentor doing powerful things with young people and communities.

Alongside him was the inspirational Mahamed Ahmed from Think Village sharing his story, experience and wisdom.

And the boys? They were all ears. 👂

For us, there was something incredibly special about seeing Zayd back at The Venny.

As a young person, Zayd faced some tough hurdles and challenges. But through it all, he carried an incredible brightness, positivity and strength.

And now, here he was — back at The Venny, standing alongside the next generation, sharing his story and giving back.

That’s the power of a place to belong.

Sometimes you don’t realise the impact of a program until years later, when someone walks back through the gates — not as a child, but as a mentor.

22 years on, Boys Group is still going strong.

And Zayd?

You’ll always belong at The Venny. ❤️

A huge thank you to Zayd Safi and Mahamed Ahmed for sharing your time, stories and wisdom with our boys. And massive appreciation to Tapped In for the merch and pizzas

Our hearts are FULL. ♥️ with David Kutcher Hala Isyouokay big thanks Paula Butcher and Drummond Street Services YMCA Victoria

20/08/2026

At The Cubbies in Fitzroy, the tools are out and the ideas are BIG! 🔨🏠

Kids are building cubbies, dens and shelters — measuring, hammering, sawing, problem-solving, negotiating and turning big ideas into something real.

There’s something powerful about trusting children with real tools, real materials and the freedom to create. Sometimes it works perfectly. Sometimes it wobbles. Sometimes it gets pulled apart and becomes something even better!

That’s play. That’s learning. That’s confidence, capability and creativity being built — one nail, plank and big idea at a time. 💪🛠️

At The Cubbies, managed by The Venny, children don’t just play in the space… they help shape it.

Yarra City Council

14/08/2026

🔨🔧 Hammer time at The Cubbies! 🪚

Big ideas, little builders and plenty of *bang bang bang!* 💥

At The Cubbies in Fitzroy, kids get the chance to roll up their sleeves, use real tools, practise hammering nails, building, fixing and creating — with support from our team and plenty of room to figure things out for themselves.

It’s not just about making stuff. It’s about confidence, problem-solving, persistence, coordination and that brilliant feeling of saying: “I made this!”

Sometimes the best learning comes with a hammer in your hand and a few wonky nails along the way. 😄🔨

The Cubbies is managed by The Venny — where kids get space to play, make stuff, take positive risks and have a go.

12/08/2026

On this International World Youth day we celebrate all of the wonderful young people we engage with across all of our sites. Today We celebrate You !

Last night The Venny was proud to be part of a reference group that helped develop Play Australia's new National Risky Play Position Statement for children and young people aged 9–15.
The statement recognises that healthy development needs opportunities for challenge, exploration, uncertainty and managed risk.
Risky play isn’t unsafe play. It’s about giving young people the chance to test themselves, make decisions, build confidence, develop risk literacy and gradually become more independent — while serious hazards are minimised and risks are managed thoughtfully.
Much of the existing risky play research has focused on children aged 0–8. This statement helps fill an important gap for 9–15-year-olds, a time of huge growth, increasing independence and transition from primary to secondary school and beyond.
At The Venny, we see every day how powerful these opportunities can be.
Because growing up isn’t about removing every risk. It’s about learning how to navigate the world.

Thanks to Play Australia and Western Sydney University for this world first initiative.

11/08/2026

A big Venny welcome to our new CEO, Russell Shields.

Russell brings more than 15 years of leadership experience in the for-purpose sector. He founded The Community Grocer, delivering affordable fresh produce to public housing communities across Melbourne, and has held executive roles at SecondBite, the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and South Port Day Links. He has spent his career building organisations that show up for communities that need them most, developing innovative programs and championing community-led solutions. We could not think of a better fit for The Venny.

We also want to warmly acknowledge our outgoing CEO, Carolyn Webster, for her significant contribution and her generosity in supporting a smooth transition by providing some ad-hoc consultancy support over coming months. Thank you Carolyn.

Welcome to the team, Russell - let's play!

06/08/2026

A big thank you to Jo Briskey, Federal Member for Maribyrnong, for dropping by yesterday to say hello and check out our new website.
We’re so grateful for the Australian Government funding, secured through Jo’s office, that helped bring our new website to life. It’s a fantastic way for community to connect with The Venny, explore our programs and keep up with everything that’s happening.

31/07/2026

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28/07/2026

There's something pretty special about coming full circle. 💚
We're excited to welcome Harrison as one of our newest volunteers at Cubbies. Harrison grew up just around the corner and has great memories of spending time playing at Cubbies as a child.
Now he's giving back to the next generation by volunteering his time to service and repair our bikes—keeping them safe, running smoothly and ready for the many kilometres they're ridden each week by children.
Thank you, Harrison, for sharing your skills and helping keep the wheels turning at Cubbies! 🚲👏

22/07/2026

Sharing a nesting box on these cold mornings is a great way to stay warm.
There must be something special about this particular box too—it's the only one our ducks and hens choose to lay their eggs in.
Why have a nesting box all to yourself when you can squeeze in together?

21/07/2026

The Venny has systems in place to ensure that the voice of children and young people is heard at all levels of the organization. From co-design and leading their play through to presenting ideas to the Board. Last night Hannad spoke to the Board about his ideas for The Venny which included regular news items on our website and ensuring we had enough wood for kids to build with.

Address

85 Kensington Road
Melbourne, VIC
3031

Opening Hours

Tuesday	3:30pm - 5:30pm
Wednesday	3:30pm - 5:30pm
Thursday	3:30pm - 5:30pm
Friday	3:30pm - 5:30pm
Saturday	1pm - 5pm

Telephone

+61393760589

Website

http://www.thevenny.org.au/

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