Brunswick's Heart at Stake: Community Rallies to Save Historic Youth Centre from Sale

A passionate group of parents in Melbourne's inner-north is urging state and local governments to intervene and protect a beloved local youth centre that has offered free accommodation, entertainment, exercise, and mentorship to the community for nearly 90 years.

The Don Bosco Youth Centre and Hostel, situated on Sydney Road in Brunswick, has been a local institution since 1939. Over the decades, it has provided short-term housing for young men alongside free or low-cost activities including indoor trampolines, basketball, birthday parties, and even a popular resident rabbit.

However, the future of the venue has been thrown into doubt after a "For Sale" sign was erected outside the property, sparking widespread concern. A community petition calling on the state government and local council to step in has rapidly garnered more than 3,300 signatures in just a few days.

"Free and low-cost programs aren't a nice-to-have," the petition states. "For many kids, they're the difference between taking part and missing out."

A Vital Backyard for High-Density Living

Local father Joel Ma, who has been bringing his six-year-old daughter to the centre since she was two, described the potential loss of the site as "heartbreaking."

"Don Bosco is part of the fabric of Brunswick," Ma said. "[It is] the soul of Brunswick. It connects old Brunswick to new Brunswick."

Ma explained that the centre helps young children learn valuable social skills, such as sharing, thanks to the system of bells that signals when a child's turn on the trampoline has concluded. He also highlighted its importance for families living in nearby apartments.

"There's a lot of young families that live in apartments that don't have backyards," he said. "We might have a balcony but a space like this is our backyard."

Site Listed Amid Compensation Claims

The triple-fronted property is owned by the Catholic organisation the Salesians of Don Bosco, which is advertising the land through real estate agency Melbourne Acquisitions. Described as an "iconic Brunswick landmark," the site spans nearly 3,000 square metres over three titles, featuring 74 metres of street frontage and vacant possession. It is expected to fetch about $10 million.

The listing comes as the Catholic order faces outstanding compensation claims. The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse previously found that more than 20 per cent of Salesians were alleged perpetrators of abuse. The Salesians did not respond to requests for an interview.

Generations of History on Sydney Road

For many local residents, the centre represents a lifelong connection. Paul Villani, who grew up in Brunswick during the 1970s and now works as a lawyer in an office adjacent to the centre, recalled the safe environment it provided.

"Growing up there myself, there was always supervision, and you got a bit of moral guidance," Villani said, adding that the young men staying in the accommodation would regularly help local kids with their homework.

"I'm not aware of anywhere in Melbourne where you can go and just hang out after school and it doesn't cost you anything," he added. "My father, who migrated to the area, used to go there as a kid and play around there, spend time there on the weekends, and then I went there as a child."

Political and Council Responses

Merri-bek City Council stated that it does not currently hold a formal position on the sale of the site or the requests for a local government buyout.

"Council is aware the property has been listed for sale, and that the community feels strongly about the centre remaining open," a council spokesperson said.

Political candidates for the upcoming Victorian state election have also weighed in. Labor candidate for Brunswick, Gabe Steger, described the sale as "highly disappointing."

"I'll engage closely on the future of Don Bosco," Steger said in a statement. "I am keen to work with the community to make sure its future is given the attention it deserves."

Meanwhile, Greens candidate Adam Pulford shared on social media that the Merri-bek Greens intend to "seek to work with the Victorian Government on how we can save this incredible community asset."

"With so many people barely affording the essentials, having free and cheap community space where kids and families can spend time together and have fun is more important than ever," Pulford wrote on Instagram, adding, "We need more spaces like Don Boscos, not fewer."

Parents Ready to Volunteer

If the state government or local council can purchase the land, Ma believes local parents would be more than willing to step up to keep the facility running.

"I can only imagine that parents who have been coming here since their kids have been really young would want to chip in and give back," Ma said. "Not just for us, but for the next generation of parents who have kids in Brunswick and discover the joy of Don Bosco."