Golden Guitarist at Neerim
Golden Guitar nominated artist Fanny Lumsden will perform at the Neerim Memorial Hall on Friday.
The concert is a must-see for Gippsland country music fans as it is Fanny Lumsden and the Thrillseekers’ only Gippsland gig. Promising singer/songwriters Andrew Swift and Meg Doherty will also perform.
Adding to its appeal, the concert will help raise funds for hall improvements.
Lumsden was nominated for three Golden Guitar Awards at the Tamworth Country Music Festival. They include best female artist, best alternative-country album for “Real Class Act” and best heritage song for “Roll On”.
She is performing in Neerim as part of her “Country Halls Tour”. Starting as a fundraiser to help small communities recover from fires and floods, it is now an annual, Australia-wide phenomenon celebrating country life.
“Real Class Act” is Lumsden’s second album with each song telling a different story. It includes a chirpy tale of adventures on the way to gigs in “Roll On” to a more serious piece inspired by Bob Hawke’s tears over the Tiananmen Square massacre in “Real Men Don’t Cry”.
Neerim Memorial Hall Committee secretary Donna Valentine said it was the first live entertainment event of its kind organised by the committee. The non-profit organisation is responsible for the management of the hall and recreation reserve at Hamono Rd, Neerim.
“We are attempting to make a few improvements to our facilities up there, and in order to do that we need to get more value out of the use of the hall,” said Ms Valentine. “If we raise a little bit of money, it would be nice. But it’s primarily to get the most out of the facilities.”
Speaking on improvements planned, she said the committee “already has got a few things on the go”.
“We’ve got a masterplan and lots of options,” she added.
The night will kick off at 6pm with a community barbecue by the Neerim District Lions offered at a modest cost. Drinks, both soft drinks and alcohol, will be available for purchase. Strictly no BYO.
The country music is scheduled to begin at 7pm.
Tickets are $25 (plus a small service charge) and are available online at www.ticketebo.com.au/fannylumsden/country-halls-tour-neerim-hall.html
Tickets are also available from Neerim South Post Office and Neerim Junction General Store.
Alternatively, tickets may be available at the door for $30.
For further information, email neerimreserve@gmail.com