Council Secures FReeZa and Engage! Youth Funding

Published on 15 January 2025

Hindmarsh Shire Council has been successful with funding applications for the Victorian State Government’s Engage! And FReeZA programs. The funding will enable young people across the Shire to access a range of entertainment, training and leadership opportunities from 2025 to 2027.

The Engage! program will empower young people to co-design and deliver activities that build skills, confidence, and encourage creativity. FReeZA funding will allow Council to continue to support music events, school holiday activities, and training opportunities for young people, amplifying the future of Victoria's music and creative industries.

Hindmarsh Shire Youth Councillors play an important role in leading the development and delivery of activities through the Engage! and FreeZA programs and we look forward to welcoming the new leadership group in early 2025!

2024 Youth Councillor Lilly Williams said, “With the help and funding from FreeZA and Engage!, Hindmarsh Shire Youth Councillors are able to put on fun and exciting events for young people all over Hindmarsh Shire. This funding is crucial to the Youth Council, as without it, these events that help us develop social skills, improve our mental health and get us out of our comfort zone, will not happen.”

Council will keep working with young people, schools and the community to deliver programs and events that are collaborative, inclusive and genuinely impact the lives of young people in Hindmarsh for the better.

Hindmarsh Shire Council encourages the community to follow Hindmarsh Shire Youth Council on social media to see how these programs are progressing as well as how they can get involved. If you are a young person and have ideas around FReeZA or Engage!, Council would love to hear from you. You can reach out to us on social media, via email or through the feedback form on our website.

Hindmarsh Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Ron Ismay said, “Investing in youth in our rural communities is an investment in the future. This funding will continue to ensure that young people are given opportunities that improve mental health outcomes and best position them for bright futures, whether it be further education, completing a trade, working for a local business or taking leadership positions in local clubs and organisations.”

Hindmarsh Shire Council is thrilled to support young people to conduct Engage! and FReeZA programs over the next three years, and we are incredibly grateful to the Victorian Government for this funding.

To see the Victorian government media release on the grants, see www.premier.vic.gov.au/young-people-ready-lead-and-create-across-state.

Bill Millard
Acting Chief Executive Officer