FReeZA Contact:
Cara Johnstone
Ph: 5461 0615
Email: caraj@cgoldshire.vic.gov.au
Web: www.centralgoldfields.com.au (new window) and www.myspace.com/freeza_amplify (new window)

Bio – Committee members are from 12 years to 19 years, some in school and some finished school, all with different interests and ideas. We aim to have fun, eat food and put on events!

Crew – Amplify Productions committee ranges in age, interests, and well just everything. It’s a group of young people from 12 to almost 19. Interests in food rank highly within the committee and range from books and movies to music, more food and fashion design, computer games especially PS3 and more food. We put on events for other youth in the shire and have lots of fun doing it.

Events – Events can be expected to be big, regular and fun.

Highlights - We ended the year with a bang on new year's eve with a climbing wall, jumping castle, guitar hero competition, Maryborough Idol comp and outdoor movie among other activities. It was an enjoyable night with lots of people there, heaps of give-a-ways and prizes and a good night. We managed to put the screen up after lots of effort and climbing and clips to hold it in place, then through the night the PS3 didn’t work and we ended up with a PS2 and Wii to play Guitar Hero on. There were so many helium balloons that we could have all floated away from the whole event. There was some contemplation about the band being able to turn up or not. But in the end all things worked out and none of the public would have suspected the antics behind the scenes ... much…

Benefits - So like everyone else, there is not that much to do here. FReeZA means something to do. The committee has also learnt lots of things and made new friends and have enjoyed ourselves.

Community Support – There are many local businesses that have contributed to FReeZA events.

FReeZA Contact:
Helen McCourt
Ph: 5018 8283
Email: helen.mccourt@mildura.vic.gov.au 
Web: www.mildura.vic.gov.au (new window)
www.myspace.com/freezamildura (external link)

Bio - The current FReeZA Mildura has been running since the beginning of 2006, following a long break and changeover of hands to our current committee. This committee has revamped the way FReeZA is run locally and the type of events we have, concentrating on live, local, original music and giving young bands ago, along with providing opportunities for young people interested in working in the music industry. We also include cultural events involving sports, arts and fun days.

Crew – We have a constantly growing committee of local young people with a common interest and passion for pushing the music scene in our town. Jo Koutlis, Jess Johnson, Nikki Allen, Mitch Brackman, Bridget Ward, Mick Lowes, Maddison Miles and Sam Murdoch. Helen McCourt and Rachel Kendrigan work together at the local Youth Services Centre and together co-ordinate the committee. The committee is flexible around its membership, directly relating to the interest of those to the proposed event. Helen is the Youth Services Community Worker and Rachel began as a volunteer on the committee when it first revamped back in 2006. She is now undertaking a traineeship that includes the FReeZA program.

Events – You will always find great local talent at our events. The committee is dedicated to supporting our local young bands and giving them a chance to show their stuff. Not just performing but running the events, and working alongside professionals to learn the tricks of the trade. Our events include FReeZA PushStart Battle of the Bands, Splashdowns, music and skate festivals such as The Grind, as well as arts events. The calibre and variety of events is a credit to the open mindedness of the Committee.

Highlights - The Grind 2008 has been our most successful event so far. With an attendance of around 1400 people, feature of five local bands on stage and over 30 young skateboarders and BMX riders competing. The feedback from the community proves it’s worth of an annual event. Also we are very proud of local boys Monkey Chops for winning our regional heat for FReeZA PushStart Battle of the Bands, and going on to represent us at the PushOver festival grand final, as well as recording their tunes at Studio 52.

Benefits - Being an isolated rural town, the youth of Mildura often feel as though there is nothing to do. FReeZA provides entertainment and opportunities to keep busy and have fun. It also shows the older people of the community how talented and resourceful our youth are. It lifts the profile of young people and their value to the development of their community.

Community Support – We have wonderful community support in the form of local businesses providing sponsorship, such as AntiSocial Clothing, Planet X, The Edge Hotel local media support, schools, Mildura Rural City Council, the team at Youth Services, and our partners in keeping live music alive in Mildura, Sunraysia Musicians Club, Greg Harrison Sound, The Soundtrap music store, Giffo’s sound and lighting. FReeZA locally is lifting its profile as a professional and reliable organisation and in turn local businesses and community groups are more willing to support its efforts.