The Chats say ‘Wrong Way Sekisui’ in huge concert fundraiser
International sensation The Chats have returned home with a bang, raising a huge amount of cash for a court appeal against a controversial Coast development.
Sunshine Coast
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INTERNATIONAL pub-punk sensation The Chats returned home to Coolum last Saturday with a bang, raising close to $15,000 through their Wrong Way Sekisuiconcert fundraiser.
The local band wrapped up their current Australia tour by helping community organisations, Friends of Yaroomba and Save Yaroomba, raise funds to support a court appeal starting November 18.
All funds raised will go towards the high-rise battle for this small beachside community, pitted against Sunshine Coast Council and Japanese property development giant Sekisui House.
Friends of Yaroomba spokeswoman Angela Hatfield said the concert was a great success.
"Coolum Civic Centre was filled to capacity at 350 people … we had countless requests for tickets after the event had sold out online," she said.
"It was obvious The Chats and The Unknowns loved playing for their hometown crowd and the Coolum community was equally excited to have them play just before heading off to Europe on their upcoming tour.
"Friends of Yaroomba are very grateful to both bands (The Chats and The Unknowns) for taking time out of their busy schedules to help us raise much needed funds.
"More and more people are coming on-board, wanting to help because they realise how important, how vital it is for this community to win this court appeal.
"After all expenses have been paid, we hope to have raised in the vicinity of $15,000."
It is clear from The Chats' song title Wrong Way Sekisui where their hearts are on this subject.
Wrong Way Sekisui featured on their 2016 Self-Titled EP and after this show in Coolum, the track is well on its way to becoming an anthem for much of the local community, much like their anthem Smoko.
With the court appeal set to take place at the Maroochydore Court House on November 18, Friends of Yaroomba and Save Yaroomba have fundraisers set for every weekend.
"The public is welcome to attend, and we anticipate quite some interest for the proceedings from our passionate community," Ms Hatfield said.
The Chats aren't the only ones giving their all for the court appeal; world-famous rock photographer Tony Mott has donated several highly collectable autographed copies of his latest pictorial A-Z of Rock Photography.
Coolum resident Jaylene Farrell has dedicated her life on the Sunshine Coast to being a voice for animal rights and after she told Mr Mott about the proposed destruction of her beloved Yaroomba bushland, he wanted to help raise money for court costs.
"Tony knows how hard I have always fought for animals being an activist since my teens and when I told him about it, he offered several of his hugely lauded books, all autographed," she said.
"I was so stoked knowing how many rock tragics we have here on the Coast and how many would love to get their hands on this highly collectable monolith of a book."
Jaylene said since moving to Coolum 10 years ago, she had been campaigning heavily against the destruction of wildlife habitat.
"I was successful in reducing the speed limit outside the Yaroomba Bushland from 80 to 60 after many roos, snakes, echidnas and lizards were hit and killed by cars," she said.
"When I discovered that once again our council has given the nod to destroy their home I fell to my knees, sobbing in despair and sickened at how many would now become roadkill escaping bulldozers.
"Instead of preserving our fragile eco systems, the people who are in elected paid positions egos and wallets overrule any morals they may have.
"We do not have the right to rape and pillage our precious environment.
"There is no such thing as an 'eco resort' as planned for Yaroomba; this is an oxymoron."
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