One of the many activities organised through the EVs Youth Centre is the FReeZA program, which involves young people in organising musical events throughout the year.

Each year the FReeZA group choosing a name for itself and and plans a range of drug, smoke and alcohol free musical events. This year’s group was known as Stuff Your Stereo Events and included a number of innovative activities, including the fostering of a partnership with the southeast FReeZA network to provide a concert in support of young people affected by the bushfires earlier this year.

As the Mayor of Maroondah I was invited to speak at the graduation event for the FReeZA participants:

In the spirit of Reconciliation, we acknowledge that we are meeting on land for which the Wurundjeri people have been custodians for many centuries, and on land which the Indigenous Australians have performed age old ceremonies.

We, Maroondah City Council, accept, respect and have shared with the Wurundjeri people in their customs of welcome.

The Wurundjeri people support the coming together of all people, respecting their individuality to focus on a unified and cohesive nation.

Tonight’s graduation of the participants within Stuff Your Stereo Events, highlights the respect and individuality identified within the Acknowledgement of Country.

I would like to extend a warm welcome to you all and thank you for coming along tonight to celebrate the achievements of these remarkable young people.

The Maroondah FReeZA Group is a personal development program for young people aged 15-21 years of age and focuses on personal and professional skills through the organisation of all ages live music events.

I would like to congratulate each of the participants of Stuff Your Stereo Events who organised 11 all-ages music events over the course of this year. It was particularly impressive to see the group work in collaboration with other organisations, by providing a concert in support of young people affected by the Black Saturday fires.

Likewise, Stuff Your Stereo Events was instrumental in organising a Battle of the Bands to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Croydon Town Hall, the building that now contains EVs Youth Centre.

As you have heard from the participants, the Maroondah FReeZA Program is designed to give young people a practical learning experience & personal development through the organisation and facilitation of live music events.

Each of these young people here tonight have excelled in demonstrating effective communication skills, group processes, public speaking, assertiveness, decision-making, budgeting, writing press releases, stage managing and a range of life-skills. They have also developed specialised skills in the music industry such as how to operate a PA system, sound and acoustics, and lighting systems.

I recognise that the program is a huge commitment and I thank parents, families and friends for encouraging the young people throughout their participation, and for your support.

I would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Council’s Youth Services Team who have worked hard to deliver such a high quality program, I encourage each of the participants to remain involved with EVs and take part in the range of activities that are delivered throughout the year.

Congratulations to each of the Stuff Your Stereo Events participants on their achievements and thank you on behalf of the Maroondah community.