What began as a spark of a thought in the middle of the night has turned into a fully fledged concert raising funds for one of the most pressing causes currently on the planet.
And everyone in Castlemaine and beyond will have the chance to attend this month’s concert raising much needed dollars for Save The Children’s emergency fund … because it’s free of charge.
Instead of paying for a ticket to catch the line up of live talent in store, organisers are instead merely suggesting a donation to the cause.
The concert that’s being staged at Castlemaine’s Uniting Church, neighbouring Castlemaine Art Museum, on Saturday July 30 is the brainchild of church congregation member Teeshia Fitzgerald.
“It’s the result of waking up in the middle of the night with the thought in my head that we need to have a concert to raise money for Save The Children,” Teeshia says.
She then got in touch with the Save The Children Fund organisation and it was agreed the best way to ensure money raised would go to children most in need of help was to direct it to the emergency fund – “where it can then go to wherever the need is greatest,” Teeshia says.
She contacted a wide range of talented local artists including musicians – “and as a result we’ve got a real mix,” Teeshia says.
“We’ve got jazz, we have a duo, we have soloists, we have instrumentalists, we have a flamenco dancer, and all are professional artists who have been willing to donate their time and talents for this cause.
“Elly Varrenti who is well known to many as a writer, ABC Broadcaster and actor, and Babs McMillan the actor and theatre director, have both volunteered to assist with presenting the programme.
“And the church has been so generous in enabling use the church for the venue which is just wonderful because the acoustics are fantastic.”
“The theme is going to be ‘community’,” Teeshia says.
“I thought – ‘why don’t’ we go for it?'”
The all ages concert happens Saturday July 30 at 1.30pm at Castlemaine Uniting Church.