RFS firefighters get free tickets to Cold Chisel concert at Bankwest Stadium
Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes is ready to bring the house down at his Bankwest Stadium concert where 2500 volunteer firefighters will enjoy a free gig.
Parramatta
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Legendary Aussie bands Cold Chisel and Hoodoo Gurus are thanking volunteer firefighters for their heroic efforts battling raging bushfires and offering free tickets to their concert at Bankwest Stadium on Friday night.
Rural Fire Service volunteers and their families will be guests of honour at the concert after Venues NSW, which owns the stadium on behalf of the State Government, donated 2500 tickets as a “thank you” for their extraordinary service during the bushfire crisis.
The Birds of Tokyo and Busby Marou are part of the concert line-up as part of Cold Chisel’s Blood Moon tour.
Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes said the band was looking forward to seeing RFS bravehearts at the concert.
“We’ve been really moved by the sacrifices that these courageous volunteers have made in this desperate time,” he said.
“We’re excited to have them join us for this great night of rock and roll – and to raise our voices and say ‘thank you’.”
Hoodoo Gurus singer and guitarist Dave Faulkner praised the firefighters and
“The ongoing bushfire emergency has made this a very hard, grim summer for so many Australians, and especially the RFS volunteers,” he said.
“They have endured unbelievable conditions defending communities and the price they have paid is beyond reckoning.
We only hope that, for a few hours on Friday January 24, the healing power of music will give some of them a brief respite from the trauma they have experienced.
“In our own small way, we’d like to honour them for the sacrifices they have made on all our behalf.”
NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said: “It’s been a devastating and tragic fire season and NSW RFS members have been working tirelessly for months to protect the community. Despite this adversity, there’s been incredible generosity shown by the Australian people.
“We’re grateful to Venues NSW and the NSW Government for offering our members tickets to the Cold Chisel concert, so they can take time out to enjoy a night off with these Aussie rock legends.”
Fans attending the concert can donate directly to the NSW Rural Fire Service and the official tour charity Foodbank, which has been providing relief for fire-affected communities.
Cold Chisel has already pledged a six-figure sum to fire services and other support networks.