Anglesea gig to boost foodbank support for asylum seekers

MULTI-INSTRUMENTAL blues duo The Dixie Chooks will take to the stage in Anglesea next week to help raise much-needed funds for the Wesley Asylum Seeker Welcome Place Foodbank.

The drop-in centre supports people across Geelong who are seeking asylum or have been granted temporary refugee protection.

Many have spent more than 10 years living within the local community in visa limbo with limited access to healthcare and employment opportunities, if they have been granted work rights at all.

The fundraiser will be hosted by the Aireys Inlet Rural Australians for Refugees (AIRAR), which each month donates $800 in groceries and vouchers to the foodbank, where it is distributed to those in need.

But the rising cost of everyday goods, AIRAR’s Rosita Vila says, means that donation equates to far less food than it once did.

With a modest fundraising goal of $3,000, the organisation hopes the coming performance will allow it to increase its monthly donation to the foodbank through the remainder of the year to ensure the contribution maintains its impact.

“We all know when we fill up our supermarket shopping trolley that it either costs a lot more or we’re getting a lot less, and so for people who have a lot less and are not able to earn a bit more or dip into savings which they don’t have, it really drastically affects their lives,” Ms Vila said.

She said many of the refugees living in Geelong, who have restricted access to government supports, are in particular need of assistance, and she hopes the ongoing generosity of a fortunate community such as Aireys Inlet can be deployed to their benefit.

“It’s about sharing what we have with people who are drastically in need and…it’s good for us to reach out beyond our immediate community to our neighbours.”

Hailing from Melbourne, The Dixie Chooks are known for their big voices, energetic performances, tight harmonies and cheeky humour.

Their performance at the Anglesea Hotel will take place on Friday, May 2. Doors open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, with dinner available through the venue from 5.30pm.

Tickets are available at the door, but bookings are encouraged via trybooking.com/DAOYV