The Member for Western Victoria, Gayle Tierney today announced two years’ worth of music and cultural event funding for Colac Otway Shire, which will be music to the ears of the region’s younger residents.
Ms Tierney said the Colac Otway Shire Council would receive $38,900 to run events in 2008 and 2009 through the Brumby Government’s FReeZA program.
Colac Shire will host 8 music events including:
• Two DJ/Techno party gigs,
• Two Battle of the Band competitions,
• Two Youth stages at local “Otway Idol Youth Festival” (coinciding with National Youth Week)
• Two Youth stages at the Apollo Bay Music Festival) and;
• Two cultural events (2 Youth Art workshops led by professional artists inspiring design and creation of the official logo for the Apollo Bay Music Festival).
“This funding is a great boost for the area and I’m looking forward to this group planning and delivering even more great events for young people in the area over the next two years.”
Ms Tierney said FReeZA grants encouraged young people, particularly in regional and outer metro areas, to organise and perform at drug, smoke and alcohol-free music and cultural events.
“The FReeZA program offers young people a chance to not only put on music and cultural events for their friends and peers but provides great opportunities for individual skill development.” she said.
Up to 150,000 young Victorians across the state attend FReeZA events and about 800 participate on a FReeZA committee each year.
The Minister for Youth Affairs, James Merlino, said young Victorians can become involved in all aspects of organising FReeZA events, including selecting and booking bands, negotiating agreements, promoting events, managing venues, budgeting and administration.
“Over its 10-year history the popular FReeZA program has provided opportunities for tens of thousands of young Victorians to participate in the artistic and cultural life of their local communities,” Mr Merlino said.
“And the recent shift to two-year funding will assist FReeZA groups to better plan the delivery of events in their local communities,” he said.
For more information visit www.freeza.vic.gov.au.