The Buloke Prom lit up the Birchip Public Hall last Friday night, featuring stunning gold and silver decorations that set a glamorous tone for the evening. 

Young people from across the shire came together to celebrate a night of elegance, live music, friendship, and inclusivity.

The event was co-ordinated by the Buloke FReeZA steering committee with representatives from youth groups across the Shire. The young people on the committee worked together to plan the event and organise the logistics and were supported by Claudia Cox with some marketing tips.

They worked hard to ensure the night was something different to the traditional FReeZA events, incorporating a formal theme to give young people an excuse to dress to the nines in formal gowns and sleek suits and add a touch of elegance to the night.  

Thanks to the work of the committee, the public hall had been transformed into a scene reminiscent of an American Senior Prom, complete with a red-carpet entrance. 

On arrival, in true red-carpet style, guests were able to have photographs taken with their friends by Blake Lee, who printed photo booth style photographs for the young people to take home as a keepsake of the night.

Local Talent
The young people on the committee had been keen to include live music into the event and it was fantastic that local artists could perform on the night and showcase their talent and expose Buloke youth to the joys of playing and listening to live music.

The very talented Birchip-born Brodie Glen pulled together keyboard player/ vocalist Eleanor Parry and drummer Josh Pellegrino to perform for the Buloke Prom and they entertained the audience with a mix of modern hits and beloved classics. 

DJ Cardiac Chaos performed in the breaks and kept the energy high, spinning fun tunes like “the Macaren’a which enticed everyone to hit the dance floor. It was pleasing to see that even though the crowd was small, the young people who chose to stay at the event and make the most of the evening, had lots of fun. 

Guests tasted an array of inclusively-themed rainbow coloured mocktails and the “R U OK? sunshine” pineapple-flavoured drink made by volunteers Ella Walsh and Fletcher Holmes-Brown. Guests also enjoyed grazing platters, hot savouries, slices and R U OK? and rainbow themed cookies made by Sam Kemp. 

The focus on the themed non-alcoholic beverages and cookies was a thoughtful addition by the organising committee to promote inclusivity and emphasize the importance of well-being within the community.

Crowning
The highlight of the evening was the crowning of Prom Queen Zaida Tait, who received warm applause from her peers. 

Influencers Tylah Haslam, Jada Symes, Sophie Cox and Georgia McClelland were also lauded by their peers for the role they played in the success of the evening.

With laughter, dancing, and unforgettable moments, this year’s Buloke Prom celebrated Victorian Youth Fest 2024 with Youth @ The Centre and highlighted the value of friendship and connection for young people across the shire.

In addition to FReeZA funding, the Buloke Prom was funded by DFFH’s Office for Youth as part of the Victorian Government’s annual celebration and recognition of young Victorians during 

Victorian Youth Fest held every September. The bus transport was funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments’ Community Recovery Program.

Congratulations to all the young people on the organising committee who dedicated their time and energy to providing an opportunity for other young people in Buloke to enjoy a night of quality entertainment that they wouldn’t otherwise have access to in these small communities.