Cool FreeZa heading West

21/3/00
FreeZa is cool and contemporary and moves are afoot to bring it to Western Australia, courtesy of the State Government.
Initiated by the Victorian Government in 1996, FreeZa is a program designed to provide drug and alcohol-free entertainment and events for young people throughout metropolitan and regional areas.
The success of the scheme has sparked local interest and tonight, at the WA Music Industry Association WA Song Contest awards, Arts Minister Mike Board announced the State Government was developing its own, yet to be named, version of the project.
"The program has been highly successful in Victoria, where 'event providers' are funded to hold eight concerts a year," Mr Board said.
"These events are organised by youth groups in each location and are designed to create a safe environment for the young people taking part.
"Our proposal is based on the Victorian model and is being developed in collaboration with the WA Music Industry Association (WAM), ArtsWA, Healthway and the Office of Youth Affairs."
Mr Board said establishing a similar program in WA would have many benefits for young people.
"It will provide drug and alcohol-free contemporary music concerts State-wide in venues that are safe, secure and acceptable to young people, their parents and the community," he said.
"Through the program, young people will have opportunities to develop industry-related skills such as events management, they will have their own vehicle for music-industry involvement and a means of showcasing their talents throughout the State.
"Such a scheme also will allow the creation of a regional touring circuit structure for bands and musicians and provide an effective vehicle for health promotion to a young target audience."
Mr Board said a 'cross-reference' group comprising music-industry professionals was being established to assess the proposal and advise on a suitable strategy for the implementation of a pilot program early in 2001.
"I am always impressed by the young talent in WA, as I saw on show tonight at the WA Song Contest awards," he said.
"It is important opportunities are provided for this talent to grow and be recognised."
Mr Board presented WA Song Contest awards in the Youth Category, won by Bunbury's Abbe May, and the Easy Listening Category, won by Mosman Park's Jeremy Gittens.
"Tonight's event was the ninth year the contest has been running and we have seen it grow from four categories and 200 entries to 14 categories and more than 800 entries," the Minister said.
"I am proud to say funding is provided to the WA music industry via all three of my portfolios.
"The Office of Youth Affairs has provided more than $51,000 since 1998 to WAM for various projects including the popular Kiss My WAMI Festival and also funds the $3000 Youth Award.
"We have just increased operational funding to WAM through ArtsWA from $40,000 to $60,000 and the Department of Training and Employment provides a $30,000 grant for WAM to employ three music industry trainees for six months.
"In addition to this, about $100,000 a year is provided through ArtsWA's Young People and the Arts, Aboriginal Arts and Arts Development panels to support WA's contemporary music industry."
Other winners of the 2000 WA Song Contest include:
Aboriginal Category: Colin Pigram, Derby;
Acoustic Category: Andrew Horabin, Shenton Park;
Blues Category: Ivan Zar and John Wilson, Inglewood;
Children's Category: Rebecca Sharman, Albany;
Country Category: Pete Stone, Bicton;
Electronic Category: J Mickely, South Perth;
Folk Category: Lynn Hazelton and Lorrae Coffi, Hamilton Hill;
Jazz Category: Peter Jeavons, East Perth;
Love Category: Ben Stout, Mosman Park;
Pop Category: Brian Highet, Woodvale; and -
World Category: Sonny Morgan, Como.

Media Contact: Tamatha Smith, 9222 9211