Young talent amplified

17-year-old Frazey Horsburgh-White has grown up with music in her bones. Photo: Supplied

A 17-year-old Aireys Inlet local is helping to curate the main stage entertainment for the Deans Marsh Festival.

Frazey Horsburgh-White and fellow members of the Lorne Amplify Committee have been working overtime to put together an impressive lineup for the 22 March music extravaganza.

The show will feature the prowess of VET Music students and class bands from the region’s two local high schools as well as other performers.

Frazey has been part of Amplify for the past three years and is studying VET Music Performance at Lorne P-12 College.

She first picked up a guitar in 2016 and started singing a year later. Her prowess has seen her take to the stage twice as part of Amplify.

Now she is channelling her love into something bigger than her own performances.

“Being part of Amplify has been such a good opportunity, it’s given me a rundown of organising events and establishing connections,” she said.

“We pitch to venues to let us play and learn all the things that go into running an event. It’s student-led if we want it to be.

“There’s support [from Surf Coast Shire youth staff] when we need it, but we usually choose to be really involved.”

Frazey and her fellow committee members regularly meet to throw around ideas and debate whether to work with established acts or run events themselves.

In November 2024, the committee ran a gig at the Lorne Theatre, headlined by Stella Donnelly alongside local school bands.

“It’s really cool seeing all your months of work coming to fruition and seeing people enjoying it. You feel a part of something and like you’re bringing joy to people,” Frazey said.

The group is now working with Sound Doctor to organisea gig at Anglesea Hall, with two school bands supporting the initiative.

The Amplify music and arts program is supported by the Victorian government and the Surf Coast Shire.

Councillor Leon Walker expressed his pride in seeing local young people initiating and running events.

“We love seeing them take the lead and are here to support them,” he said.