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Tsunami appeal concert to feature top entertainment

The Wonderdogs, Powerhouse, Pull my Finger and the Boola Boola Band are among the well known performers taking part in the ‘Big Wave Concert – Tsunami Appeal’ being held in Victory Park on Australia Day, Wednesday 26 January.

By Latrobe Shire Council - 21st January 2005 - Back to News

The community driven relief aid event is likely to result in the largest ever concert to be held in the Latrobe Valley.

Local bands and entertainers performing on the day will cover a variety of genre from jazz, blues and country to contemporary and rock. "There will be something for everyone on the day," Latrobe City Mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed announced.

In initiatives to assist concert goers with transportation and as part of Australia Day celebrations, V/Line will provide free return train travel for those attending the Traralgon concert from Moe or Morwell.

LV Bus Lines will also be helping concert goers by providing a special bus shuttle service using low floor accessible vehicles from outlying towns.

Routes start at the Boolarra general store with pick ups at Yinnar opposite the hotel and Churchill at the Churchill Shopping Centre; from the Toongabbie Oasis Store with a pick up outside the Glengarry Hotel; from Traralgon South outside of the Traralgon South Primary School; and from Yallourn North outside of the post office, with a pick up at Tyers general store. Buses will depart at 9am, 12 noon and 4pm from their original place of departure, with return journeys leaving from Victory Park at 1pm, 3pm and 9.30pm. An additional two services will also run between Traralgon and Moe, departing at 7.30pm and 9.30pm.

Cr Lougheed said the concert organising committee had selected five charities which would share in monies raised through the concert: Red Cross, Oxfam, World Vision, Lion’s International and the Salvation Army.

"Facilities will be available for people to make donations on the day specifically to any one of the five nominated charities, or to contribute to the general fund raising which will be shared between the five," Cr Lougheed said.

Cr Lougheed said there had been an overwhelming response from entertainers eager to perform at the concert.

"We would like to thank all those who registered their ‘expression of interest’ to be part of this event. As not all those who registered could be accommodated, we are currently putting in place some additional plans for a ‘Big Wave tsunami appeal youth event’ which can feature the bands unable to be included in the ‘Big Wave Concert’ on Australia Day.

"It is truly gratifying to see so much goodwill being fostered through our community in support of those affected by the tsunami disaster. Offers of help have poured in.

"When news first broke about the Boxing Day tsunami it was feared up to ten thousand people may have lost their lives. The death toll has now exceeded a quarter of a million, and it is increasingly clear by the extent of devastation that relief efforts will need to continue for many months if not years. I urge Gippslanders to attend the concert and give generously," Cr Lougheed added.

Some of the other well know bands and entertainers performing on the day include Molly Maguires, Best of Bridget, Maria Harkins, Max Van Heurck, John Masur, O’Dowd School, Custom Made, Jaz and Steph, Strzelecki Stringbusters, Saint James Band, Paul Sykes, Kats in the Kitchen, Rennie & Friends, Gaye Lynn, The Bridge, Superbad, and Frontline.

Concert goers are advised that a number of areas have been allocated for general parking; The Traralgon Showgrounds, access from Howitt Street and Whittakers Road; Amigo’s car park, entrance from Princes Highway; ASIC precinct car park and surrounding areas, entrance from Grey and White Streets; the Traralgon Station car park area; and the Kay Street Gardens public parking and Latrobe City Council car parks.

Directional signs will be placed prior to the event directing traffic to allocated parking.

Two rows of parking spaces at the Northern end of the car park on the Corner of Princes Highway and Whittakers Road (Amigo's Restaurant car park) will be reserved for those eligible for accessible (disabled) parking.

The Monomeath Senior Citizen Centre car park can also be used as a drop off and pick up point for people who have mobility impairment.

Accessible toilet facilities are available in Newman Park, McDonalds, Stockland Plaza and Traralgon Station.

No public parking will be permitted on the concrete parking bay or around the perimeter of Victory Park and Newman Park on the day.

A number of privately owned car parks are also off-limits to concert goers, being McDonald’s carpark, Stockland Plaza car park, Southside Central car park, Pizza Hut car park, Safeway Traralgon, Manny’s Market car park, and the Royal Exchange car park

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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