COUNTRY STARS SHINE ON SOUTHERN QLD FLOOD AFFECTED COMMUNITIES
(22-Feb-11)

OPTUS Gympie Music Muster presents ‘SPIRIT OF THE COUNTRY’ on 20th March 2011 in Toowoomba

Tuesday 22nd February 2011: This morning at the RENDEZVOUS HOTEL BRISBANE CLARION COLLECTION in Brisbane, some of the biggest names in country music joined forces to announce the ‘OPTUS Gympie Music Muster presents SPIRIT OF THE COUNTRY’ special one off concert event.

KASEY CHAMBERS, LEE KERNAGHAN, TROY CASSAR-DALEY, GRAEME CONNORS and GINA JEFFREYS are confirmed to headline the free outdoor concert with mates SHANE NICHOLSON, McALISTER KEMP and CATHERINE BRITT also quick to jump on board giving their time and talent with more artists yet to be announced!

To be held in Toowoomba on 20th March 2011, the free event will show the fraternity’s support of Southern Queensland Flood victims and the communities hit by recent devastation. Joining them on stage as Master of Ceremonies will be celebrated radio personality RAY HADLEY.

The launch announcement in Brisbane was helmed by Toowoomba raised GINA JEFFREYS, flood affected multi-award winning artist TROY CASSAR-DALEY and 2011 Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year Golden Guitar Winner GRAEME CONNORS.

Tickets for the unforgettable concert experience are limited to the venue capacity with tickets being allocated to those whom register interest online at www.spiritofthecountry.com.au. The dedicated website also provides information on bus transfers and timetables, suggested items concert goers should take with them and will also be the first to contain new announcements.

For those wanting more information prior to registering their interest online can call the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre on 1800 331155.

The unique concert has been made possible through the support of organizations and businesses keen to see the residents of the area’s treated to an event where they can forget their troubles if only for a few hours.

The GYMPIE MUSIC MUSTER and its major sponsor OPTUS were the first to come on board continuing their support not only for the music genre but for recognised Queensland causes. Joining them as a major event partners are the TINKLER FOUNDATION, WOOLWORTHS and CHOICE HOTELS.  Coates Hire and Norwest Productions, Rural Press Capital News, Country Update Magazine and Toowoomba Regional Council have also come on board generously supplying materials, manpower, promotion and infrastructure. 

The stars of ‘Spirit of the Country’ and organizers are quick to enforce that this event is not a fundraising project. There will be no admission charge to attend and experience the performers who collectively boast more than 100 Golden Guitars.

“This is about raising spirits, not raising money. This is about giving something back to so many people who have suffered so much and lost so much during the floods, watching a life time of memories and possessions swept away. We’re not builders or plumbers or carpenters… we’re entertainers and we’ll use the tools we have to help bring a little happiness into their lives”, said one of the driving forces behind the concert, Gina Jeffreys, a born and raised Toowoomba girl.

The floods across Southern Queensland in areas around Toowoomba and swept up nearby Dalby, Oakey, Lockyer Valley, Murphy’s Creek and Grantham as well as inundating other areas like Rockhampton and Warwick has resulted in 35 human lives lost and billions of dollars worth of damage to property, crops and infrastructure.

Country music stars were not untouched by devastation. Gina Jeffreys comes from Toowoomba and Lee Kernaghan and Graeme Connors both live in Queensland. Confirmed performer at the concert and multi-award winning artist TROY CASSAR-DALEY understands the feelings of fellow Southern Queensland residents who suffered. Cassar-Daley had flood waters from the Brisbane River rise eight inches over the second level of his home at Fernvale and lay waste to his farm. 

“We’re all in this together and we have to help as much as we can”, said Cassar-Daley.

The concert will be staged at Toowoomba Showground on Sunday 20th March 2011 starting at 1pm. Gates will open at 12pm midday. This is a free event in support of Southern Queensland residents affected by the January 2011 devastating floods. Tickets for the event are available by visiting www.spiritofthecountry.com.au. The SPIRIT OF THE COUNTRY is a free event with tickets being issued to meet venue capacity restrictions.

Charter buses have been organized to transport event goers from certain locations to the Toowoomba Showground.

For more information on the concert including event facilities, bus times, suggested items to bring or artist performance times please contact the Toowoomba Visitor Information Centre on 1800 331155 or log onto www.spiritofthecountry.com.au.