By JESSE GRAHAM
A CONCERT to mark the 40 Hour Famine will be held in Healesville next month, with World Vision artists taking the stage to raise money for overseas relief efforts.
The 40 Hour Famine Concert will start at 7.30pm on Saturday, 15 August, at Healesville’s Memorial Hall, featuring World Vision Australia artists, Levi McGrath, Carter and Carter and World Vision CEO Tim Costello.
Healesville’s Liberty Family Church is putting on the concert, and community associate, Joel Hawting said the concert was about raising awareness of the conditions people endured in less fortunate countries.
“We wanted to raise awareness of the reality of the world around us and to help kids see that there are kids overseas who are facing much bigger challenges than we are – sometimes, even having enough food to survive to see another day,” he said.
In the lead-up to the concert, the artists will be visiting local primary schools to run concerts and song-writing workshops, to discuss the ideas of justice with students.
Mr Hawting said the artists would also talk to students about their understanding of justice, from having visited countries such as Africa.
He said that last year’s concert, which was held at the church building on Old Lilydale Road, raised $9000 for the charity – this year, they’re aiming to break the $10,000 mark.
“Last year, we did a similar concert here at our church – this year, we wanted to increase the opportunity for people to engage with the 40 Hour Famine, hence the concert at the Memo,” he said.
“I guess our heart as a church in doing this is to get the whole town of Healesville behind a cause greater than ourselves – we are wanting to see the community grow together around causes of justice, get behind this great cause, and make a real difference in the world.”
Though people traditionally give up food for 40 hours as part of the yearly event, Mr Hawting said that people could raise money by temporarily giving up anything important – whether it was their phone, Facebook or even seating.
“When we give up things and when we make sacrifices, it helps us to get into a position to better understand the injustices we see in the world around us – it helps us to relate to issues of human rights and justice so much better,” he said.
This year marks the 40th year of the World Vision 40 Hour Famine.
The concert will be held on Saturday, 15 August, from 7.30pm, at Healesville’s Memorial Hall.
Tickets are $30, or $60 for a VIP ticket, which gives ticketholders the opportunity to meet the artists and World Vision CEO, Tim Costello – as well as a Justice More Than a Word CD.
All proceeds from the show will go to the 40 Hour Famine.
To buy tickets, visit ach.yarraranges.vic.gov.au, call 1300 368 333 or email boxoffice@yarraranges.vic.gov.au.
