Calling all young people - help shape youth events in Baw Baw

Published on 20 April 2021

Baw Baw’s Springboard FReeZA committee wasn’t deterred by Covid-19, delivering more music and cultural events and reaching more young people than ever before during 2020 – and young people are invited to get involved again this year to make 2021 even bigger.

Supported by Baw Baw Shire Council, Springboard delivered eight events between November 2019 and October 2020 – two in-person and six online - reaching more than 15,000 people.  

The pivot to online events provided new opportunities to reach youth audiences in remote communities and the committee will continue to deliver a mix of in-person and online events this year.  

Springboard FReeZA is a youth leadership program for young people aged 12-25, providing opportunities for healthy social, civic and economic participation in music, arts and cultural events that are supervised and drug, alcohol and smoke-free. Committee members are supported by Council’s Youth Officer to select, design, plan and deliver events and activities for youth audiences in our communities.

The committee is seeking new volunteers to assist with the planning and organisation of youth events in Baw Baw – a great opportunity to meet new people, learn new skills, add some experience to your resume.

To get involved, go to www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/FReeZA 

Alongside Council's contribution to resourcing the Youth portfolio, Council received $73,500 in funding from the Department of Premier and Cabinet for the delivery of the FReeZA youth program from 2019 to 2021. 

Council’s expanded Youth portfolio includes the Springboard FReeZA program, Communities That Care partnership, Live4Life Rural Suicide Prevention and the Local Drug Action Team. Read more about Council's Youth programs here.

Quotes attributable to Mayor Cr Danny Goss

“Council’s Springboard FReeZA committee is a great opportunity for young people to get involved, get industry experience, and deliver events that matter to them.

“More broadly, Council is making great strides in advocating for youth inclusion, increasing opportunities for employment, education and training and minimising harm through strategic partnerships with other agencies.”

Quote attributable to to Springboard FReeZA Committee Member, Eliza Romano

“Being a part of the Springboard team has helped me immensely better my knowledge in advertisement and the general process of running an event. I now understand the complexity of advertising on social media as well as how to make flyers which has even helped me with my job as well.”

From left to right: Daniel Greenall, Brad Akers, Eliza Romano, Alex Wood, and Emily Daff.