Bushfire bash will welcome all at Old Castlemaine Gaol

WHAT began as a simple idea from Castlemaine local Pete Dawson to support residents affected by the Harcourt bushfire has grown into a one-day music festival, bringing together more than two dozen bands and solo performers across two stages.

The Harcourt Bushfire Benefit, to be held on Saturday 14 February at The Old Castlemaine Gaol, will feature food vans and market stalls, an art auction and craft displays, sound healing sessions, and a wildlife display presented by Jirrahlinga Wildlife Park.

Children’s activities will include singing workshops, face painting and games.

In the midst of final preparations, a “weary but not too bad” Mr Dawson stressed that if people “haven’t got a couple of coins to rub together”, they’re still welcome.

“The idea is to try and raise their spirits a bit and bring the community together,” he said.

“We want to give people who’ve suffered in some way a chance to have a talk to their friends about it, give families a chance to come together and have a bit of fun and, in a sense, a bit of healing.

“It’s been a big shock to the whole community and by putting on this event, not making it a specific ticketed event, making it so that it’s donations only means that anybody can come.

“We’ll have some buckets there for people to throw cash in and, because a lot of people don’t carry cash these days, we’ve asked the Harcourt Progress Association to give us some of their posters.

“All people will need to do is go up to the poster and scan the QR code and they can donate that way.”

The Harcourt Bushfire benefit takes place on Saturday 14 February from noon until late at The Old Castlemaine Gaol at 36 to 48 Bowden Street, Castlemaine.