Daryl Braithwaite on why he is singing at Hay Mate drought relief concert
AUSSIE rock legend Daryl Braithwaite knows what it’s like to be doing it tough — he had to dig ditches before resurrecting his career — so he really feels for our drought-stricken farmers.
NSW
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AUSSIE rock legend Daryl Braithwaite knows what it’s like to be doing it tough — he had to dig ditches before resurrecting his career — so he really feels for our drought-stricken farmers.
After his band Sherbet broke up, the singer hit hard times and even had to work as a labourer on a council road gang for a while before he returned to the charts in the late 1980s.
The ARIA Hall of Farmer said every musician could relate to the boom and bust nature of farming and he felt heartbroken while reading stories of farmers forced to put down their livestock and contend with suicidal thoughts.
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“Musicians take up the job because we love it and the same applies for farmers, who have an affinity for their land and a passion for their animals,” Braithwaite told The Sunday Telegraph.
“Both musicians and farmers have to love what they do or they wouldn’t put up with the extreme highs and lows.
“However, and I’m probably putting a few musicians’ noses out of joint, farming is much harder work than playing music.”
Braithwaite will perform at Hay Mate: Buy A Bale — A Concert For The Farmers at Scully Park in Tamworth on October 27, with every dollar raised going to farming charity Rural Aid to spend on drought relief.
Braithwaite is champing at the bit to return to Tamworth, where rock fans have supported his career from his days as frontman for Countdown favourite Sherbet.
“Like a lot of people that have fallen on hard times, farmers are wondering how they’re going to make bank repayments and some take the option of killing themselves, which is just horrible to hear,” Braithwaite said.
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“I’m thrilled to be able to help and give back where I can.”
Qantas is putting on private charter flights to Tamworth, which includes return flights to Tamworth, VIP concert tickets with private viewing area and catering, a night’s stay and a champagne brunch in the Sydney Domestic Business Lounge on departure.
On board the Boeing 737 from Sydney will be Tamworth farmer and flight attendant Zanthe Atkinson, 53, whose cattle property has been lashed by dust storms that whip up topsoil from desolate farms.
“I can’t think of enough adjectives for how dry it is, other than to say it’s heartbreaking and deteriorating very quickly,” Ms Atkinson said.
“Tamworth’s spirit has been dented and the people are morose.
“From the saleyards to the coffee shops, all anyone’s talking about is the drought, it’s just that all-consuming.”
Ms Atkinson considers herself “one of the lucky ones” because she earns an off-farm income from Qantas and was incredibly proud the national carrier was coming to the aid of farmers.
To purchase tickets on the Qantas fundraising flight to Tamworth, visit www.qantas.com/au/en/promotions/brand/qantas-drought-relief.html