Music gurus headline veterans rock concert
Australian music guru Molly Meldrum and a lineup of artists and bands are set to rock Longwarry on Saturday for VetRok 2018.
Supporting veterans suffering post traumatic shock disorder, VetRok is in its second year and is a major fundraiser for veterans.
Last year’s event raised $10,000 and organisers, including Sean Scanlon of Drouin, hope this year’s event will be even more successful.
VetRok 2018 will run from 11am to 7pm at the Longwarry Hall this Saturday. The day features some incredible Australian talent including Joe Camilleri and The Black Sorrows, Mike Elrington, Gradual, The Giants, Spectrum, Chain (featuring Matt Taylor) and Dream Boogie. Surprise MCs will complement the day along with raffles and family fun.
VetRok is the brain-child of ex-veterans and members of the Partisans Australia MMC, including the local Gippsland branch.
“Sixty three veterans struggled with depression and suicide this year and that is 63 too many,” Sean said.
“VetRok is a way of raising awareness and raising funds for veterans.
“We (Partisans) are veterans. I ride in memory of my father and grandfather who were Vietnam and World War II veterans,” he said.
Sean said VetRok would contribute to “supporting some of our most important Australians - the people who have defended our country with courage, loyalty and honour.”
“These brave and selfless people voluntarily went with honour to foreign lands sacrificing their lives to defend our country. However, upon returning what have we done to support the trauma they witnessed that affects their everyday lives and contributes to their mental health issues,” he said.
Australian music guru Molly Meldrum said “losing our soldiers to suicide is so tragic and heartbreaking. I’m pleased to see this issue is being brought to the surface.”
“This VetRok event is going to be spectacular, not only highlighting a most worthy cause, but also celebrating some of Australia’s best musicians in a fantastic line up that is sure to please the whole family.”
John Schumann of Redgum who sang the famous song “I Was Only 19” said “people who wear the Australian uniform and put themselves into harm’s way in our name often return to us with physical and psychological injuries. We all need to understand and accept that a psychological injury is as honourable as a bullet wound. It doesn’t mean you’re soft, it means you’re human.”
Sean said all the artists had donated their time and country music artist Lee Kernaghan had donated a signed guitar to auction at the event.
VetRok will raise funds for ward 17 at the Austin Hospital, which is the veterans’ psychiatric unit.
For tickets or more information go to: http://www.partisansaustraliammc.com/vetrok .html or the VetRok Facebook page.