Concert’s a big hit

By Dion Teasdale
HEALESVILLE CFA and local schools and sporting clubs have received a cash windfall thanks to the ‘A Day on the Green’ concert at Rochford Winery last week.
The concert, which featured Richard Clapton and Ross Wilson, and was headlined by Chris Isaac, helped local volunteers raise much-needed funds for community services and projects.
Twenty-five volunteers from Healesville CFA coordinated the parking for the event which, held at Rochfords on Saturday, 11 November, attracted a crowd or more than 6000 music fans.
The volunteers received gold-coin donations from patrons and in the process of the evening earned the brigade more than $3000 in donations.
Graeme Bates, Healesville CFA captain, said the summer ‘A Day on The Green’ concert series, allowed the brigade to earn more than $10,000 a year in community donations.
“Volunteering our services for the concert series is our major fund raising activity and helps the brigade purchase new equipment and maintain resources,” he said.
“Doing the car parking is also a great team building exercise for our volunteers. Rochford support us with food and drink, and our members get to see the concerts as a bonus.”
A number of local schools and sporting clubs were also able to raise vital funds at the Chris Isaac concert.
Representatives from St Brigids Parish School in Healesville, Toolangi Primary School and the Yarra Glen Football Club volunteered their services for a range of jobs during the staging of the event.
“Rochfords donates an hourly cash payment to these schools and clubs for the work of their volunteers, so it’s a great way for local schools and groups to raise funds,” Healesville police Sergeant Tony Van Gorp said.
Helmut Konecsny, Rochford Winery owner, said he was pleased the local community was able to benefit from the concert series.
“We are pleased to support schools and sporting clubs working at the concerts and raising much needed funds,” he said.
He said students from Healesville High School were also able to gain valuable hospitality work experience with over a dozen students employed at each concert.
The next ‘A Day on the Green’ concert, featuring Marcia Hines and Leo Sayer, will be held on Saturday, 2 December, with Paul Kelly and The Pretenders due to perform on 27 January.