OKA band member DidgeriSTU in ‘critical’ condition with Covid

A well-known musician is reportedly ‘critical’ in a Gold Coast hospital after catching Covid. DETAILS

The frontman of a popular First Nations band is reportedly “critical” in a Gold Coast hospital after catching Covid.

A GoFundMe page for OKA group member Stuart Fergie, also known as DidgeriSTU, has raised more than $10,000 in 24 hours to help the musician and his family.

The organiser of the fundraiser, Bonnie Fay Fergie, said Mr Fergie was “hit by Covid this week and unexpectedly developed major critical issues with his lungs.”

The Bulletin has reached out to Ms Fergie for comment.

Stu Fergie of the electric dreamtime roots band OKA. Picture: Ric Frearson

“Within hours he was rushed to his nearest hospital to be assessed and was immediately transferred to the Gold Coast Covid ICU where the extent of his lung damage is extremely worse than expected, thankfully the great team there worked hard stabilise him and are continuing on keeping him with us as he’s in a critical state,” Ms Fergie said.

“As you can imagine the family are facing a lengthy recovery with the reality of a challenging and mounting financial future as the costs so far have already surpassed their abilities.

“Stu has celebrated and shared his culture, art and music with us all around the world, bringing us together in positive spirit with his OKA love.”

She urged people to “show him some community love (and) return some of that positive energy.”

The talented didgeridoo player is known as the “creative heart” of OKA band – which plays “Australian earth music with sublime dimensions”.

OKA was most recently due to play a gig at the Byron Bay Beach Hotel on January 16 – which has since been cancelled due to Covid restrictions.

“OKA draws upon their indigenous connection to place and country to create their signature feel good Australian earth sound,” the band’s website states.

The independent act has sold more than 170,000 albums and has shared the bill with Kiss, Santana, Sting and Yothu Yindi.

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