Need for feed speeds relief effort

RESIDENTS are rallying in a heartwarming display of community spirit to support struggling farmers.
Community groups in the CaseyCardinia area have come together in what is believed to be an unprecedented show of support for the state’s struggling farmers.
This Saturday and Sunday at Akoonah Park in Berwick, members of 10 local Lions and Lioness Clubs and at least eight Casey and Cardinia churches, along with other community volunteers, are organising the biggest bushfire and drought relief effort undertaken since the devastation of the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983.
Proceeds from the ‘Need for Feed’ Cars, Guitars and Stars – Wheels and Music Festival will provide relief to Gippsland landholders whose properties have been devastated by drought, floods and bushfire in recent months.
Organisers Graham Cockerell, Doug Hamilton and Wally Kenny have used their links with Lions, churches, car clubs and the Country Fire Authority to set up the event.
Between them they have been able to harness past experience with Rock for Life, Berwick Big Toys and a tsunami fundraiser to put together the event in only six weeks.
Mr Cockerell said the weekend’s entertainment would feature almost nonstop music from more than 30 bands and music groups, including the top American blues band The Healers, Wild Turkey, and the Aarron Daniels band on Saturday night.
Vehicles of all sorts will be on display across the weekend as well as feature spots between bands of flamethrower cars, Ford versus Holden engine rev ups and the Quad Dogs farm bike stunt team.
“Trophies for people’s choice will be awarded each day and judging for all other categories will take place on Sunday with trophy presentations taking place at 5pm,” he said.
“Sunday morning is being organised by members of Casey and Cardinia’s churches and will take the form of two hours of entertainment followed by a short thanksgiving for the firefighting effort and prayers for those suffering from drought and bushfires.
“Federal Minister for Agriculture Peter McGauran will speak at 12 noon, thanking those involved on behalf of the people of Gippsland,” Mr Cockerell said.
Sunday afternoon will be filled with music provided by traditional jazz, blues and rock bands finishing with the energetic rock with brass sound of the King City Seven.
A charity auction will start on Saturday night and continue on Sunday.
The retail value of donated goods for the auction already exceeds $12,000.
Berwick Lions Club vicepresident Mr Cockerell has spearheaded the relief effort, first reported in the Gazette in January.
Mr Cockerell, from Upper Beaconsfield, said he had been driven to do something by the harrowing images he saw on nightly news reports when the fires were at their peak just after Christmas.
“Bring your cheque books and wallets for the bargains and collections to support our state’s farmers,” he said.