By JESSE GRAHAM
FUNDS for stricken Nepalese communities will be raised at a one-off community benefit concert, set to be held in Narbethong later this month.
On Saturday, 18 July, the Narbethong Hall will host the Benefit Concert for the People of Nepal, a fund-raiser for communities affected by April’s 7.8-magnitude earthquake.
Resident, Diane Gaylard, said she organised the fund-raiser because the disaster overseas in the earthquake resonated locally, bringing back memories of the fires that tore apart the Narbethong and Marysville area.
“Really, it was from my concern about the Nepalese people, having gone through such a disaster and having gone through the bushfires ourselves in 2009, knowing that it takes a lot of resources to recover,” Ms Gaylard said.
“We were very, very fortunate to get a lot of money donated to Marysville and its surrounds.”
From 2pm to 5pm, acoustic artists, including Moving Harps, Joe Talia, Pans on Fire and Drop of Scotch, will take to the stage to perform in the hall to community members.
“I chose the Narbethong all because, acoustically, it’s absolutely brilliant,” Ms Gaylard said.
“We don’t need amplification in the hall; it’s designed for the type of music that will be performed throughout the afternoon, and I don’t think it’s been used to its full capacity, so it’ll be nice to open that a bit more for people to see the potential.”
All money raised from the event will go straight to Nepalese people and families impacted by the earthquake.
As a show of support, Ms Gaylard said all the performers on the afternoon chose to donate their time, in order to raise more money for Nepal.
A raffle will also be held on the evening, which features prizes such as tickets to the Marysville Jazz and Blues Weekend, and a book from local sculptor, Bruno Torfs, among other things.
“There’s real support in the local community for it,” she said.
Tickets to the event are $20 for the concert, afternoon and evening music session, or $10 for the evening music session only.
Tickets are available from the Marysville Post Office or at the door on the afternoon.
For more information, call 0448 884 711.
