Seymour charity The Coo-Wee Ride, which raises funds and awareness for farmers and veterans affected by mental health, has led the organising of the event.
The Coo-Wee Ride founder, Northwood cattle farmer Matt Aldridge, wanted to help his fellow farmers after the recent devastating bushfires.
“We wanted to support the Upper Murray farming community, as well as the local businesses and the community that has lost a lot since the devastating fires hit,” Matt said.
Golden Guitar winners James Blundell and Sara Storer headline a weekend of stellar acts at the Cudgewa Recreation Reserve to raise funds for the farming community of Corryong.
In January, the Coo-Wee Ride also helped organise a hay convoy that provided much-needed hay and farming equipment to farmers in the area.
With the help of trucking company Starbuck Excavation, up to 1100 large bales and 300 small bales were delivered on the Australia Day long weekend.
“When we announced our hay convoy in The Seymour Telegraph, a trucking company wanted to get involved,” Matt said.
“It was a pretty emotional thing to see 35 trucks convoying up to help bushfire-affected farmers in the Upper Murray. It’ll be great to see most of those farmers again at the concert.”
Matt said he wanted to create an event that would get people off the farm and give people something to look forward to.
“We also wanted to help out the local businesses, from the caravan parks to the local bus company,” he said.“We’re hoping this concert will help those businesses in some small way after losing the tourist dollars they would have received without the bushfires.
“It’s fantastic that we’re filling out motels, caravan parks, and just the way it’s been received by so many people has been incredible.
“It just goes to show the true blue Aussie fighting spirit is still strong out there and there are people still willing to help and dig into their pockets and help out where they can.”
Matt said he was looking forward to listening to some of the region’s best musicians, as well as Storer and Blundell.
“Between these two iconic Australian artists there’s something like 31 Golden Guitars from Tamworth (the Country Music Awards) and we’re very fortunate to have them play at our concert on Saturday,” he said.
“On Sunday we’ll also have Albury’s Danny Phegan, who will also be another fantastic act. But that’s not to take away from all these other fantastic bands that are coming from across the country, from Warrnambool, Hamilton, Bendigo, and lots of local acts.“We’ve been blessed by the amount of people showing their support.
“I want to thank Jodie Bonny, Leigh Eeles and Luke and Jo Humphrey for their tireless support in making the concert happen, and the Cudgewa Football and Netball Clubs for allowing us to host this concert and use their facilities and Towong Shire for their support of the event.”
The event is supported by Visit Victoria through the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Grant (Bushfire Recovery Round) and the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund through Regional Arts Victoria.
The charity concert to raise much-needed funds for bushfire-affected victims in Corryong is on Saturday and Sunday.
Gates open at 10.15 am and acts begin from 11 am. Market stalls and children’s entertainment will also be on offer.
For more information and to book tickets, visit facebook.com/RFTA2020/
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