Kids Works offers a variety of safe and dynamic programs for kids of all ages. On Sundays the Kids Works team creates a lively environment for children to learn about biblical values and morals. The teaching provided also supports and reinforces family values.

All families are welcome.

Click here for Playgroup, Cherish and Eltham Eagles Soccer programs... 

Youth

Salt is the youth ministry of Yarra Plenty Church. We have a passion to see young people empowered to be all they can be and fulfil their God given purpose. We believe that as we do this together we are able to bring positive change to our community.

To achieve this we run our Friday night Salt event at our Lower Plenty campus and and Manic Fridays at our Heidelberg campus. Added to this we are involved in local schools work and have small groups of teenagers that meet together fortnightly. Check out below for more info all of this. You can also check out our Facebook page.

Salt

Salt is a great night that is about meeting new people and having a fantastic time together, while exploring God & his relevance to our lives today. We have an hour of music, games & just hanging out which then moves into our meeting time. This includes some music from our amazing band as well as teaching from the Bible in a contemporary and relevant way.

These nights are brilliant and you'll definitely have a great time!

Lower Plenty

6:00pm - 8:30pm Fortnightly on Fridays (Visit our Facebook page to find out what is happening when)

YPC aims to communicate the gospel message in powerful and contemporary ways. The creative arts area offers people opportunities to use their talents in the areas of music, singing, drama, dance, multi-media, art and more.

Performing Arts 

Yarra Plenty Performing Arts offers quality tuition in singing, dance (funk and jazz), guitar and piano. Tuition is available for students of all ages and skill levels. 

Yarra Plenty Counselling is a community service that aims to provide professional and accessible counselling to a diversity of clientele. Our mission is to assist people toward health and wholeness in spirit, soul and body, always respecting individual views and values.  

Click here to download our brochure.

We are in our 10th year of operation and are now operating from a modern centre with a large foyer and 5 counselling rooms. We have a team of 6 counsellors and a psychologist all fully qualified and accredited as clinical members of professional organisations.

Our aim is to provide high quality service at affordable rates. We all share a Christian faith but respect all faiths and belief systems and welcome anyone who wants to use our services.

To make an appointment, please contact reception on (61 3) 9439 5555 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it   for further information. Appointments can be made on 9439 5555 for the following counsellors. For a profile on each counsellor, click on their name:

Debbie Buesnel

Gary Heraud

Simon Murray

Julie Young

Appointments can be made for the following on the numbers provided:

Vicky Booth 0425 700 406

Kerri Towers check number on 9439 5555

Sue Dangerfield check number on 9439 5555

Single Adults get together a couple of times a month for both social events and sessions/talks relating to doing life as a mature single adult. Social events have included day outings, movies, dinners, bowling and trivia nights. Session talks cover specific topics of interest to this group. This is open to all single adults aged 35-50.

Click here to see 2010 Calendar of Singles' Events

For further information contact Helen Lomen
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
Phone: (61 3) 9439 555 or 0409 400 546

How can we see injustice in the world and not be moved to action?

YPC has been moved with donations of over one million dollars toward overseas projects to date, and intends to continue to give generously. 

Eltham Eagles Soccer Club

Eltham Eagles provides a friendly, encouraging and fun environment for children, youth and adults to play soccer. The Eagles welcome players of all skill levels and we try to ensure that all players get match-time each game. Parents are strongly encouraged to be involved, including as coaches and team managers.  

The club participates across all age groups in the Victorian Churches Soccer Association league, during the winter season.  

Cherish is a series of informal events for first-time mums with babies aged 0 – 12 months. It is designed to support and encourage mums through the challenges of the first year of motherhood. 

Cherish provides opportunity to focus on the life-changing experience of motherhood through mentoring, helpful information and ideas, and a safe place to share personal experiences.

Topics include organisation and routines, postnatal depression, healthy lifestyle, family relationships and self care. Experienced mothers and professionals provide input and share their wisdom.

We welcome new mothers at any time throughout the year. Each stand-alone topic repeats over a 12 month period.

Entry is by donation, with afternoon tea provided.

For further information, please contact Angela Hicks on 0431 895 836 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Venue

Yarra Plenty Church,
360 Centre,
360 Main Road,
Lower Plenty

Coming Up Soon:

Structuring your Baby's day

June 21

Discover the benefits of a flexible routine in creating a predictable flow and rhythm to your day.

Guest Speaker: Georgina Papp from Growing Families Australia

Blue Days

Mothering is one of the most challenging situations that we will ever face. We need a plan for what to do and who totalk to when we are having a tough time. A representative from PANDA will be speaking.

July 19

Aug 16

Sep 20

Oct 18

Nov 15

Pencil in the following date (more details to follow soon...)

Friday evening Nov 19 

Purpose 

• To equip business people to succeed and reach their full potential.
• To provide encouragement, support, challenge and assist the development of relationships between business people.
• To motivate excellence in giving to the local church.
• To enable business people to set an example of financial leadership to others.

Prime exists for the 50+ age group in the church and wider community.

Our emphasis is on “Life Beginning at 50” – we continue to grow to maturity in Christ, serving Him, caring for each other and reaching out to others.

Pastoral Care

YPC’s pastoral care extends beyond church members to caring for the wider community. YPC conducts weddings, funerals, prepares couples for marriage, and visits people who are sick in hospital.  

If you would like help in any of these areas, please contact Yarra Plenty Church on (61 3) 9439 5555. 

Simon is the director of the centre. He is a professional counsellor registered with PACFA. He is married with three adult children and one grandchild. Simon has a teaching background, teaching at primary and secondary levels for 22 years.

He is also an ordained minister and licensed marriage celebrant.

As well as general counselling Simon specialises in

• Marriage counselling
• Sexual issues
• Sexual abuse
• Trauma
• Spiritual abuse

He is also available for weddings, funerals, dedications and other ceremonies.

My name is Vicky Booth and I am a fully qualified psychologist. My education includes a Bachelor of Behavioural Science from Latrobe University, fourth year in Child and Education from Monash University and a Master of Counselling Psychology from La Trobe University. I am a full member of the Australian Psychological Society and a Registered Psychologist in the State of Victoria.

I have over 18 years experience in the provision of individual and family therapy and have been a consultant to the Department of Family and Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Facsia) and the Attorney General’s Department on issues such as carer issues, parenting, separation, domestic violence and its impact on children. Other areas of specialty involve working as an Adolescent Specialist with the Department of Human Services as well as a Family Support and Behaviour Intervention Therapist with Facsia.

I also have vast experience in working with men and relationships and fathering; working within the mental health sector and the drug and alcohol sector.

I have experience in psychological counselling of individuals, couples and families with children, adolescents, adults and elderly. I specialize in issues such as anxiety, depression and bipolar disorder, relationship issues, sexual dysfunction, anger management, men’s issues, parenting, carer issues, drug and alcohol dependence, family separation and divorce. I have also facilitated therapeutic groups covering issues such as anxiety, depression, shyness, domestic violence, building stronger relationships, and parenting after separation.

I am a registered Medicare, Workcover and TAC provider.

In order to access the Medicare system patients will need to consult with their local G.P. and if they are eligible the G.P. will give them a Mental Health Care Plan (Item number 2710). The fee above the Medicare rebate will be $50. However, this can be negotiated with me in cases of financial hardship.

Appointments can be made through me directly on 0425 700 406 during business hours. If calls go to voicemail, I will return them as soon as possible as I am consulting at that time.

 I am a qualified psychotherapist and counsellor and have been practicing for 20 years.

My qualifications include BA(psych), Graduate Diploma(counselling) and I am currently completing my Masters in Counselling. I am also a member of the Australian Counsellors Association. I have worked in both public and private settings, assisting adolescents and adults with a broad range of issues.

My work is influenced by a transpersonal framework and incorporates cognitive and dynamic approaches, and is characterised by the valuing of the individual and their life experience. It focuses upon personal development and self knowledge and seeks to mature and clarify a person’s behaviour and relationships, and to open a road to self-discovery.

I specialize in assisting people cope with anxiety, depression, anger, grief and loss, relationship issues and life transitions and am particularly experienced in adjustment after divorce.

I also have many years experience running groups, in particular for Grief and Loss and Separation and Divorce.

My “calling” is counselling and I am passionate about the uniqueness of each of our healing journey towards wholeness and inner peace.

I have been working in pastoral counselling centres and private practice for the past 11 years. My nursing background is also most useful in my holistic approach to healing: physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Formal qualifications include Graduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Human Services @ Latrobe Uni. This formal training and employment experience has provided me with the grounding to work with a wide range of client issues including:

• low self esteem
• grief & loss
• stress/anxiety/depression
• marriage & relationship issues
• family breakdown
• anger management
• exploration of dreams for personal meaning
• sexual & sexuality issues
• abuse (physical/emotional/sexual
• eating disorders
• addictive behaviours
• adolescents
• spiritual issues
• children (predominantly “play therapy” *trauma & dissociation

My work is strongly influenced by a psychodynamic approach but I also have the eclectic ability to recognise and incorporate other modalities should they be of benefit to clients.

Whilst I am a committed Christian and work within a Christian framework, counselling is available and I welcome all, regardless of religious belief.

I have clinical membership registration with both APC and PACFA.

 My name is Gary Heraud, I am a qualified Clinical Counsellor. I have been practicing at Yarra Plenty Counselling since 1999. I am a clinical member of ‘Association of Personal Counsellors’ and ‘PACFA’. I have a current ‘Working With Children Check’ and have worked within two schools in recent years as a counsellor.

I specialize with people with life-controlling problems including Anger Management and Addictions. I am passionate about Relationship Counselling.

I have also been involved with facilitating many and varied Life Groups over the last 20 years within the community and also in the church environment.

My general approach is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy coupled with Solution Focused and goal setting strategies where necessary.

Over a number of years, I have had the privilege of working with people in a variety of settings: school, industry, community and church who have been facing a range of issues: ages and stages, communication skills, conflict resolution, loss and grief, personal growth, redundancy, relationship/ family, stress, anxiety, depression, and trauma.

I am registered as a counsellor with the Association of Personal Counsellors and with PACFA.

My qualifications include: Master of Counselling, Grad Dip in Pastoral Counselling, Grad Dip in Career Counselling, Grad Dip in Education. I have also completed a Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training and training in mentoring, supervision and theology.

I believe that

• we are created to be the best we can be and that we have the resources within us to manage our lives, but that sometimes we need help to get in touch with these resources.
• the way we think about things often affects the way we feel. If we can look at what is happening in our minds we can begin to manage our feelings better.
• the things we believe often affect the way we behave.
• as we work together we can unravel the challenges and develop a way of managing the situation.
• no issue is too difficult to manage.

Simon is the director of the centre. He is a professional counsellor registered with PACFA. He is married with three adult children and one grandchild. Simon has a teaching background, teaching at primary and secondary levels for 22 years.

He is also an ordained minister and licensed marriage celebrant.

As well as general counselling Simon specialises in

• Marriage counselling
• Sexual issues
• Sexual abuse
• Trauma
• Spiritual abuse

He is also available for weddings, funerals, dedications and other ceremonies.