Defrosted Events
Defrosted Events are a group of young people aged 14 to 25 who support music, art and cultural events across the Yarra Ranges.
We began as a FReeZA committee, a Victorian Government initiative that gives young Victorians the opportunity to lead the planning and staging of live music and cultural events. FReeZA events are accessible for people of all ages and abilities, and drug, smoke and alcohol free.
Our committee members:
- are aged 14-25 years old
- live, work, study or spend time in the Yarra Ranges
- don’t need any previous work or volunteer experience
- are enthusiastic, willing to share their ideas, and get involved
- are from a range of diverse backgrounds including race, gender, ability, LGBTIQA+ and more
- can attend meetings regularly.
Join the Defrosted Events Belgrave Crew
Expressions of interest (EOIs) are open for 2025. Express your interest today to join the Defrosted Events Belgrave Crew!
Defrosted events application form
Can't get to Belgrave? Don't let that stop you from applying. We can drive you! The Youth Team Minibus can take passengers from Lilydale Civic Centre to Belgrave and back. Just let us know.
What does the Defrosted Events Crew do?
In 2025, crew members have the opportunity to learn new skills and collaborate on a range of activities.
| Opportunities |
Learn new skills |
Collaborate on |
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Support local organisations and community events
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Learn and partner with different teams within Yarra Ranges Council
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Apply for your first grant (with support!)
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Plan and host mini events
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Participate in peer-to-peer skill sharing
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Event management
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Audio and lighting tech skills
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Risk assessment and management
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How to book artists, performers, and other event services
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Budget management
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Marketing and promoting events
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Leadership, teamwork and communication
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Festivals and markets
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Theatre or comedy performances
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Art or photography exhibitions
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Film screenings
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Showcases and workshops
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And more – your ideas lead the way!
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Defrosted Events meetings
| When |
Where |
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Thursday afternoons, 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Dates confirmed during EOI process.
Sign up today!
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In-person at either of two locations:
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Belgrave Community Hub, 1616/1624 Burwood Hwy, Belgrave VIC 3160
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Belgrave Library, Reynolds Lane, Belgrave VIC 3160
We confirm the location before each session.
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Previous events
When supported by FReeZA, Defrosted Events designed multiple large-scale events for the young community of the Yarra Ranges. As we did not receive FReeZA funding during the last grant round, our future events will be smaller pop-ups and partnerships with local festivals, markets, and organisations.
We will continue to advocate for funding opportunities and support young people to host incredible events! Our 2025 Crew is learning all about grant writing and have begun applying for opportunities themselves; an achievement they can take great pride in!
Festive Busking Mini-Series - December 2024
In the lead-up to the holiday season, young, local buskers were paid to perform at multiple business locations across the Yarra Ranges.
Location: Yarra Ranges Pop-Ups
Date: December, 2024
Celebrating YOUth Awards - December 2024
An awards night to celebrate the achievements of young people in the Yarra Ranges.
Location: Yarra Ranges Civic Centre, Lilydale
Date: 12th December, 2024
Time: 5:45pm-7:30pm
The Bel-GRAVE-YARD - October 2024
A haunting night to remember: young people and their families sold out this free film screening of Corpse Bride in a collaboration with the local Cameo Cinema in Belgrave. Halloween Spirit was well and truly alive – or undead?
Location: Cameo Cinema, Belgrave
Date: 30th October, 2024
Time: 5:00pm-8:30pm
Rainbow Promenade - August 2024
A formal evening to celebrate young LGBTIQA+ people and allies from the Outer Eastern Suburbs. EACH’s Rural Rainbows became a FReeZA crew, and designed the event from ideation through to final decorations and performers.
Location: Mooroolbark Community Centre
Date: 17th August, 2024
Time: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Belgrave Lantern Festival - June 2024
In partnership with Belgrave Traders Association: celebration of Belgrave’s community culture through a display of lanterns and winter festivity. The Defrosted crew lead and designed a Youth Stage and Youth Stall, showcasing young artists from the Hills region of the Yarra Ranges.
Location: Belgrave Main Street
Date: 22nd June, 2024
Time: 1:00pm-10:00pm
Barbenheimer Screening - April 2024
A back-to-back film screening designed by young people from the Upper Yarra region, to recreate the hyped dual-release of films Barbie and Oppenheimer from 2023.
Location: Warburton Arts Centre
Date: 13th April, 2024
Time: 12:00pm-7:00pm
Empublishment Book Launch - March 2024
An event hosted to celebrate the debut of “Vignette”, an anthology novel written by 12 young authors through a writing program at Upper Yarra Secondary College.
Location: Warburton Arts Centre
Date: 23rd March, 2024
Time: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Belgrave Lantern Festival - June 2023
In partnership with Belgrave Traders Association, we will be presenting a range of musicians to perform in the Hayes Street carpark in Belgrave.
Date: 24th June 2023
Time: 5:00-8:00pm
Lil Pic - March 2023
A picnic styled music festival held at Lillydale Lake
Date: 19th March 2023
Time: 4:00-7:00pm
Youth Celebration - December 2022
An awards night to celebrate the achievements of young people in the Yarra Ranges.
Location: Mooroolbark Community Centre
Date: 7th December, 2022
Time: 7:00-8:30pm
Pride Formal - October 2022
A formal for young people (Yrs 7-12) of the LGBTQIA+ community and all their allies! In partnership with Lilydale Youth Hub.
Location: Mooroolbark Community Centre
Date: 15th October, 2022
Time: 6pm-9pm
More info: Coming soon!
Baker Boy - September 2022
Baker Boy is touring regional Victoria and coming to the Memo in Healesville for two shows only! Co-presented with Oonah Belonging Place.
Location: The Memo, Healesville
Date: September 2nd – 3rd , 2022
Time: 7:30pm-9:30pm
More info here
Belgrave Lantern Festival – July 2022
In partnership with Belgrave Traders Association and with over 10,000 attendees, we showcased a line-up of artists on the big stage and arranged a market of stallholders in the main carpark.
Best Arts Festival (BAF) – March 2022
A full day of live music, creative workshops and interactive art spaces held at Burrinja Cultural Centre in Upwey.
The Push All Ages Tour – February 2022
The Chats and Teenage Joans headlined this awesome live concert, and were supported by St.Emerald and Dewey.
Summer Series – January 2022
A roving festival of live music performances and dance workshops across the Yarra Ranges. One week, 8 towns, 11 events!
Queer Conversations Series – June 2021
Video recorded conversations between LGBTQIA+ young people in Yarra Ranges and LBTQIA+ staff at Yarra Ranges Council.
Watch the full series here.