Daryl Braithwaite, Guy Sebastian, The Veronicas just some of the artists to perform at charity concert
AUSSIE legend Daryl Braithwaite will join John Farnham to support drought-stricken farmers at a huge charity concert. The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the star-studded line-up for the Hay Mate: Buy a Bale — A Concert For The Farmers.
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AUSSIE legend Daryl Braithwaite will join John Farnham to support drought-stricken farmers at a huge charity concert.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the line-up for Hay Mate: Buy a Bale — A Concert For The Farmers, also includes pop sister duo The Veronicas, original Australian Idol Guy Sebastian and founding INXS member Andrew Farriss, rock star Jon Stevens, country and music sensations Aleyce Simmonds and Adam Harvey, former X Factor star Nat Conway, and sing-songwriter Tim Wheatley.
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The concert will be held at Scully Park in Tamworth on October 27.
Braithwaite will belt out The Horses, with every cent raised going towards buying hay for farmers struggling to feed livestock.
John “Whispering Jack” Farnham, said there’s no greater cause given the entire state is grappling with one of the worst droughts in history. “Farmers are the backbone of this country,” he said.
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Tamworth is not only the beating heart of music in the bush but is one of the driest areas in the state, where not a single farmer will harvest a winter crop for the first time since 1965.
The concert will be beamed across the country on Channel 9 and 9NOW.
Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift, said: “Nine is hugely committed to helping Australia’s farmers. And the job isn’t over yet. Hay Mate will be a major television event featuring some of Australia’s biggest musical acts with all profits going to Rural Aid.”
Rural Aid’s Buy a Bale program supports farmers and rural communities across Australia by providing support and delivering hay and essentials for those who have none left.
Rural Aid founder Charles Alder said: “We’re seeing a degree of panic in the requests from farmers now, as they get more and more desperate for hay.”
Qantas, one of the concert’s official presenting partners, has announced a drought relief program to donate $3 million to Rural Aid. The airline will also operate special flights to Tamworth for Qantas customers to attend the concert.
Toyota is supplying a fleet of vehicles to move artists and guests around and also help Rural Aid’s mental health counsellors travel.
Toyota Australia President and CEO Mathew Callachor said: “This is our opportunity to honour the men and women who make this country strong.”
Woolworths gave $1.5 million to launch a national appeal and Woolworths Supermarkets MD Claire Peters said: “We have been overwhelmed by the generosity of customers … this has resulted in more than $7 million in donations.”