Rampage Brings Buloke Young People Together

Young people from across Buloke swapped sporting rivalries for a night of music, dancing and friendship when they gathered at the Birchip Public Hall for the first Winter Rampage.

While Rampage is traditionally held during the warmer months, Birchip Youth Group, buoyed by their Summer Rampage, and determined to fill a gap where other youth groups have decided against holding traditional style FReeZA event, decided to stage a winter event this year to bring young people together at a time when many are already mixing through local and representative football, netball and hockey.

The event provided an opportunity for those connections to continue off the fields and courts in a safe and social environment.

Organised by the Birchip Youth Group through the Buloke Amplify Program (formerly FReeZA), the event was planned and hosted under the leadership of Alana Caldwell and supported by Simone Christie, Buloke Amplify Program Manager.

Promotional posters were designed by local young designer Nick Rickard from Mallee Branded and set the tone for the “Party Animals” theme chosen by the young people.

Returning to the Birchip Public Hall for the winter event proved popular, with attendees enjoying the enclosed venue and the atmosphere created by the impressive lighting effects. Usually home to local pickleball sessions, the hall was transformed into an exciting themed entertainment space where young people could socialise, dance and enjoy an evening created especially by them, for them.

Providing the entertainment were internationally renowned DJs, DJ Homsy, Disco Gold and Cardiac Chaos, who delivered an outstanding mix of modern mash-ups, classic favourites and, of course, the Nutbush.

Their professional sound and lighting equipment created an experience usually only found at much larger events and gave local young people access to a level of production rarely seen in regional communities.

Although attendance numbers were lower than in years gone by, those who attended embraced the opportunity to catch up with friends from across the district. The dance floor remained busy throughout the night as young people mixed freely with peers they might otherwise only meet as opponents on game day.

The event was supported by a dedicated team of young volunteers. Year 7 to 9 girls took charge of setting up the hall prior to the event, while the Year 10 girls returned Sunday morning to pack up and clean-up, demonstrating the teamwork and ownership that underpin the Youth Group’s activities.

The organisers extend their sincere thanks to Rachel Ferrier and Keiko Nakamura from the Birchip CERT Team, who attended for the entire evening.

Thanks also go to Elise Cox for managing the canteen, Jamie Starr for providing bus transport from Donald, Charlton and Wycheproof, and Leo Miceli for providing security services.

Programs such as Amplify, continue to play an important role in regional communities by giving young people opportunities to develop leadership, planning and event management skills as well as creating valuable opportunities for young people from different towns to strengthen friendships and connections at safe and affordable entertainment options close to home.

For one winter evening, team colours and club allegiances were set aside as Buloke’s young people enjoyed the music and the simple pleasure of spending time with one another.