Over the past few weeks, various churches around Australia have held concerts to help those affected by the bushfires that ravaged the country in the early months of 2020. Here’s a snapshot of their efforts:
Burwood raises $A10,510
On Saturday evening, Feburary 29, Burwood Adventist Community Church (Victoria) hosted their Bushfire Relief Concert, raising a total of $A10,510 in just one evening.
The money adds to the $A9000 they raised previously to provide generators to families directly affected by the bushfires and lacking power.
In total, the church raised a total of $A25,245 to help bushfire victims. According to ADRA Victoria Facebook, the funds will go to ADRA Australia to provide mental health workers, emergency accommodation, furniture, grants and community events to bushfire victims in regional Victoria.
Morphett Vale raises $A11,035
The Bushfire Concert at Morphett Vale Adventist Church (South Australia) raised more than $A11,000 for ADRA’s bushfire relief and recovery activities. Held on the evening of Saturday, February 22, it featured artists from the music ministry at the church, together with other South Australian-based musicians and singers.
“The church was full and people really enjoyed the concert. But more importantly we have been amazed by the generosity of those attending,” said concert organiser, David Peterson. “The amount of money donated is far beyond what we expected or even dreamed of.”
ADRA Director for South Australia, Charlene Luzuk, said that although the bushfires are now extinguished, that recovery may take years for those who have lost their homes, properties, businesses and even family members.
“ADRA is assisting these people by providing immediate financial and physical support and these generous donations will further assist with our ‘Christianity in action’ role in the community,” she said.
You can watch the full concert online here.
Mt Gravatt raises $A12,600
More than 250 people from across South East Queensland attended Mt Gravatt Seventh-day Adventist Church on the evening of February 8 for their bushfire concert, which raised a total of $A12,600. You can read more of this story here.
Central Coast raises $A3,800
Central Cost Adventist Church drew an audience of more than 150 people for their Bushfire Relief Concert on February 1.
Attendees enjoyed performances from the Wontok Choir, the Browne family, Naomi Gibson, Ben Victor & the Boys and Gosford Choir.
Event organisers Helen Andrews and Sue Unicomb invited Anthony Kirby from Brisbane Waters Regional Fire Services to speak about the fire conditions and testimonies from the frontline.
The money raised has been donated to ADRA, and will specifically go towards helping victims of the Canberra bushfires, with the blaze in the ACT alone destroying more than 55,000 hectares.
You can watch more of this story here.
If your church has also hosted a bushfire relief concert that you would like featured, please contact us at news@record.net.au
