MEMBERS of the Rural City of Wangaratta Youth Council are celebrating after news of $73,500 in funding from FReeZA. The funding will be used by youth council members to plan and stage supervised arts, cultural and music events, to be free of drugs, alcohol and smoke. Rural city youth development officer, Laura McKenna, said the State Government support was fantastic news. Ms McKenna said events will be planned by a Creative Youth subcommittee of the youth council, which also includes young people from the local community, and decisions on allocating the new funding would be made in the new year. She said the youth council is currently involved in planning end of year events using the last of previous FReeZA funding, including an event recognising the work of local youth and a live music event, with dates and details to be confirmed. Jaclyn Symes (MLC, Northern Victoria), said that while participants in FReeZA programs gain valuable skills, communities also stand to benefit from the events that are organised through the program. The FReeZA program gives young people the chance to grow industry contacts, gain practical experience and develop career opportunities in the industry, Ms Symes said. We are proud to support the young people who organise these events, make local industry connections and explore job opportunities for the future, all while following their passions. Engaging young people in helping to organise music and cultural events builds their experience and skills and benefits our community by having more great local events.