Press Releases

Mr Crisp said the Involve Committee would give 19 young people the chance to have input into government decision-making by providing direct advice and feedback on issues affecting Victorian young people.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young community minded people from the Mildura electorate to represent their fellow youth and become a voice for rural and regional youth issues and views,” said Mr Crisp.

The Involve Committee is made up of eight young people aged 12 to 17, eight aged 18 to 25, and one youth representative each from the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria, the Centre for Multicultural Youth and the Koorie Youth Council.

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said the Coalition Government was committed to listening to the voices of young Victorians.

“It is important we listen to and provide opportunities for young Victorians to fully participate and get involved in their community and government decision-making.

“The Involve committee is part of the Coalition Government’s youth engagement strategy which includes the Engage! grants, Youth Parliament, Shape It! and National Youth Week.

“Involve also provides young Victorians with the opportunity to meet with community leaders and develop skills and networks through training,” Mr Smith said.

For more information about Involve and to download an application form go to www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/involve

Nationals Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, is calling on enthusiastic young Victorians aged 16 to 25 years to apply to become the 2013 Victorian National Youth Week Young Member.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is looking for a bright and enthusiastic young person to be Victoria’s youth spokesperson and representative to the National Youth Week planning group,” Mr Crisp said.

At the national level, each State and Territory is represented by a National Youth Week Young Member.

Mr Crisp said the National Youth Week Young Member plays an important leadership role in everything, from planning to promoting National Youth Week across Australia.

Victoria’s Young Member is required to be the voice of National Youth Week in Victoria.

Mr Crisp said role includes undertaking media interviews, blogging on Youth Central, speaking at events, travelling across the state and to Canberra and participating in the planning of Victoria’s event calendar.

“National Youth Week is an annual and important opportunity to celebrate the achievements and contributions young Victorians make to our communities,” Mr Crisp said.

National Youth Week 2013 will take place from Friday 5 April to Sunday 14 April 2013.

For further information about National Youth Week and how to apply for the 2013 Victorian Young Member position visit www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/nyw

Applications for the Victorian Young Member position close on Wednesday 31 October 2012.

Member for Mildura, Peter Crisp, has announced that the Mildura regional final for the annual FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands Competition will be held in the Mildura Langtree Mall on November 16, 2012 from 6 – 12pm.

Mildura will host one of the eight finals across Victoria from October to November 2012, which forms part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s $2.4 million annual funding to the FReeZA program.

Two bands will battle it out for the regional title after winning local heats, with the winners from each region going on to compete for the title in the Grand Final held during the 2013 Push Over Festival in Melbourne.

Each band that progresses to the Grand Final will compete for the major prize which includes studio time with engineers, 500 copies of the band’s recording, photo shoot, music equipment and media exposure.

“I strongly encourage our local young people to check out the Battle of the Bands and get involved with FReeZA.”

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said the Coalition Government supports the FReeZA program and is committed to providing opportunities for young people aged 12 to 25 to develop skills in the music industry.

“Since 1992, FReeZA’s Push Start Battle of the Bands has provided a platform for emerging bands and artists to showcase their skills and this year it is anticipated more than 200 bands will compete across the state,” Mr Smith said.

Chief Executive Officer of The Push Peter Chellew said that young Victorians are thrilled by the music made along the way.

“Every year, FReeZA Push Start creates pathways for young musicians to develop their craft performing at exciting youth music events in their own communities, learn from music industry experts and take the chance to perform with their musical heroes on the big festival stage,” Mr Chellew said.

Now in its 15^th year, FReeZA supports young Victorians getting involved in the community by planning and running drug, smoke and alcohol-free music and cultural events. Every year FReeZA provides more than 140,000 young people with affordable and accessible music and cultural events in safe venues throughout the state.

Many bands will hope to follow in the footsteps of successful FReeZA performers such as Killing Heidi, The Vasco Era, Kisschasy, Michael Paynter and Neon Love – who went on to sign record deals.

For more information on times and dates of local heats please visit the FReeZA website at www.freeza.vic.gov.au or visit www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au.

www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/getpublished.

www.youthweek.com and choosing to be part of the state’s biggest celebration of young people. There are a wide range of events on offer – from music festivals and skating demonstrations, to short films, youth awards and break dancing.  

“We have two events running in the electorate, one in Robinvale, one in Mildura and I strongly encourage young and old alike to support the organisations and youth who have worked very hard to co-ordinate their event.” Mr Crisp stated. 

Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said ‘Imagine. Create. Inspire.’ is the theme of this year’s National Youth Week.

“National Youth Week is a celebration of young people across the state. Thousands of young people are involved with National Youth Week and I thank those who have coordinated events and volunteered their time to this annual celebration.

“Young Victorian’s creativity and passion for celebrating National Youth Week will no doubt result in a fantastic week of events showcasing their talents and the positive contribution of young people in Victoria,” Mr Smith said.

Youth Week will kick off at the Prahran Junior Jam with hip hop dancing, live music and basketball competitions on Saturday 14 April 2012. It will end on a high with 6 young speakers, 6 big ideas and 6 minutes to share at the ‘Victoria’s Young Thinkers’ forum hosted by Express Media on Sunday 22 April 2012.

For a full list of National Youth Week events go to www.youthweek.com or www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/nyw. All events are alcohol, drug and smoke-free – with most events free of charge.