Discover youth activities in Benalla Rural City, including the FReeZA program for live events and Live4Life mental health support. Opportunities for fun, creativity, and community engagement.
The FReeZA program provides opportunities for young people aged 12-25 to enjoy live gigs and other cultural, recreational and art events that are drug, alcohol and smoke-free in supervised and safe venues. It also gives local young performers development and regular performance opportunities.
Young people who join the FReeZA committee get to make decisions and lead the planning, organising, promoting and delivery of events. Being a part of a FReeZA committee develops skills, builds self-confidence and provides opportunities to explore various education and employment pathways into the music industry.
Over the last 12 months FReeZA has organised live music events, open air cinema nights, skate park events, dance events and more.
Reach out to Council’s Youth team on 03 5760 2600 if you’re interested in joining the committee or for more information.
Benalla Rural City Council is the lead agent for the Live4Life whole of community youth suicide prevention model, which began in 2017. This model was developed in 2010 in the Macedon Ranges, where it has been effective at improving mental health outcomes.
Live4Life aims to:
Since 2017 over 1700 young people have received Teen Mental Health First Aid training and over 200 adult community members have received Youth Mental Health First Aid training.
The community partnership implementing the program alongside Benalla Rural City Council includes Benalla P-12 College, FCJ College Benalla, Australian Christian College – Hume, NE Tracks LLEN, Tomorrow Today Foundation, Victoria Police, Benalla Health and NESAY
A vital component of the program is the Live4Life Crew. The Live4Life Crew assists in the delivery of the Live4Life education program in partner schools across Benalla Rural City with the support of the Benalla Rural City Council’s Youth Development team and school staff.
This is a role for motivated young people who have a particular interest in making a difference in their school and community in regards to youth mental health.
Crew are supported and mentored through a variety of learning and participatory opportunities including developing leadership and advocacy skills in the area of youth mental health.
To find out more about the Live4Life program, visit the Live4Life website.
Stay up-to-date with events and activities for young people in Benalla Rural City by following our Youth Services Facebook page ‘Wots4me Benalla Youth’ or Benalla Youth Instagram page
Visit our What’s On page for more information about events and activities in Benalla Rural City.