RELAY FOR LIFE FINDS THE WILL TO GO ON

Surf Coast Relay For Life will get a burst of Will power with local band Famous Will announced last week as headliners for the fundraiser’s entertainment program. The relay is being held in Torquay on March 18 and 19 and participants will complete laps of Spring Creek Reserve over the course of 24 hours to raise money for cancer research.

Entertainment kicks off at 7.15pm, following the opening ceremony.

Famous Will is lead by Geelong’s Will Gardiner and features Liam Bennan (bass and backing vocals), Cam Gerabek (piano and vocals), Sean Kil (guitar) and Conor Walkeden (drums).

Gardiner is writing their first album, which he expects to release later this year, and debut single “Lonely” has already made it to number four on the triple j Unearthed chart.

“Our most significant effort was winning the Rick Merrigan Award as Geelong’s best folk singers of 2013, giving us a gig at the Port Fairy Folk Festival where we won the Maton Guitars’ Best Emerging Act award,” Gardiner said.

“After the Great Ocean Road fires came through this year, we got to open at the Lorne Hotel for Thirsty Merc.

“Our genre is ‘country folk’ and we liken ourselves to Crowded House and The Beatles and are very inspired by Johnny Cash.”

Other wins for Famous Will include taking out Battle of the Bands competitions in 2013 at Revolver, in 2014 for K-Rock, and in 2015 at the Queenscliff Music Festival.

As a prolific performer, Gardiner has become one of the region’s favourite local artists.

“Between the band and my solo work, I’m doing about 150 shows a year. It’s a full-time job away from my regular full-time job.”

The Relay For Life entertainment program will continue on the evening of Friday, March 18 and during daylight hours on Saturday, March 19.

Head to relayforlife.org.au and search “Surf Coast 2016” for more information and to donate.