Shane Howard & Neil Murray perform for drought relief!

20th October 2007 - Deans Marsh Public Hall, Deans Marsh, Victoria
7pm till late - gold coin donation entry -
Also featuring The Corrugations and Russell Holloway & The Billy Tea Bush Band.

LET’S HAVE A RAIN DANCE…
Many people are suffering from the prolonged drought Australia is experiencing at the moment. In 2006-07 many fodder crops failed and people on the land had to sell stock at little or no profit, buy in expensive feed and water to keep remaining stock alive, and now as we move toward spring the prospects of continued drought remain.

Many rural people will be in serious strife if tanks and dams remain empty and paddocks lay barren for yet another growing season. Stress, helplessness and “drought fatigue” can often be felt by people who are generally hard working, resilient and self supporting.

It is times like these that people really need a holiday- to get away and for a short period, forget their woes and recharge their batteries. Unfortunately, it is also times like these that money is at a premium and holidays are a far away dream for somewhere down the track.

Whether on the land or not, we’re all in this boat together. We’re all feeling the pinch and watching the rain gauge with trepidation.

We at Music @ the Marsh would like to do something for people in our region who are suffering from this drought. We would like to provide a very small “holiday” for just one evening so people can forget about their worries, let their hair down and most importantly, feel part of a community that understands a little of what they are going through....

We know it is just one night and people wake up the next day but to be able to wake up with half a smile on your face after experiencing the Rain Dance the night before, well you never know, the burden may ease just a tiny bit.

Our idea is pretty simple really. We will be putting on a family bush dance and concert at the Deans Marsh Hall. We feel the Deans Marsh Hall is a perfect venue for this type of event.

We will be holding the event on the 20th October 2007 and will start the night off fairly early (7 PM) with a welcoming concert featuring local band, The Corrugations. After a quick change on stage and some muscle stretching on the floor, the Billy Tea Bush Band (featuring local caller Russell Holloway) will get all the family dancing for an hour or so.

After a break for some special supper provided by patrons, sit back and be entertained by two of Australia’s most gifted songwriters - Shane Howard & Neil Murray who are touring nationally at the moment as “The Two Songmen”. Their songs are from the heart and about the land and many have that hint of optimism that rural people will find a breath of fresh air.

We have been very fortunate to gain financial support for this event from The Country Womens Association’s Drought Relief Fund, the Upper Barwon Landcare Network and the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority. These organisations are helping us run this event without the worry of charging megabucks and squeezing in mega bodies through the door! However, many of the people who would come to an event like this would expect to pay something so we will ask for a gold coin donation and of course, those home made pavs and trifle! Any profits made on the night will be donated to a drought relief charity in our region.

This night is designed to give patrons the chance to relax, dance, have fun and pay very little because they are the ones doing it tough. We are also conscious of the fact that those people providing the entertainment, sound, artwork etc should get paid which brings money into the local economy.

The event will be voluntarily run by the Music @ the Marsh Committee of the Deans Marsh Community Cottage. The event will be BYO everything.

Thank you for taking the time to go over this material and we look forward to hearing from you if you have any further queries.

Regards,

Mike Robinson-Koss
Music @ the Marsh