Musos band together

By Kath Gannaway
YARRA Valley and Melbourne musicians banded together on Sunday for the RISE Bushfire Relief Benefit Concert at Healesville.
Perfect autumn weather and a top-class line up of bands set the stage for more than 12 hours of sensational entertainment at the Healesville Racecourse.
Organiser Stuart Aldridge said the event drew an estimated 2000 to 2500 people with the audience coming and going throughout the day and into the night.
Local duo The Hannafords were first on stage and another local group Ruckus signed off – over time, but with the audience begging for more.
In between Geoff Achison and Phil Manning, Brent Parlane, The Ploughboys, Cabin Fever, Glen Kleesh Band, Wild Turkey, The Coyotes, Phil Deeh, Dave Walker and Blue Moon Lodge, The Heartstarters, The Tram, Leanne Patrick, The Ewan Cloonan Union and Aaron Burton and Friends, kept the momentum rolling.
Neil Higgins’ tribute to the bushfire victims “Out of the Ashes Into the Sun”, written for the concert, was a highlight and a reminder of the roots and purpose of the event.
Mr Aldridge said the event had been a great success with all the bands donating their time and talent and proceeds going to Healesville Rotary for their bushfire appeal.