The Nambucca Valley’s sensational Bluebird Disability Choir will headline the musical entertainment at ‘Bowra’s Big Bash’.
Bowraville Lions Club is presenting Bowra’s Big Bash at Hennessy Tape Oval, Bowraville on 14 February. The event runs from 1pm-10pm and supports a community hard hit by the bushfires of 2019-20.
Healthy North Coast is the major sponsor, providing $10,000 through its Primary Health Network program. The funds come via the Federal Government’s ‘Supporting Communities in Recovery’ initiative.
Lions Club secretary Lisa Manners said Bowra’s Big Bash would promote inclusion, resilience and recovery after a tough 15 months.
“Our community is still hurting and traumatised by the catastrophic fires,” Ms Manners said. “This event is family friendly and all activities are free of charge to help support the healing process.”
The Bluebird Disability Choir will perform several songs from Grease. There’ll be live music from Pirra, Angus Gill, Loose Cannons, Graham Howle, Sue Smoothy and Kailey Pallas, as well as a petting zoo, rides, a pet show, market stalls and more. The first 500 children (aged three to 12) through the gates will receive a gift.
The bushfires claimed one life in the Nambucca Valley, along with 63 homes. A further 349 properties were affected, with fencing, crops, outbuildings, machinery, vehicles and stock destroyed. In many cases, property owners lost the ability to earn a living.
“The Lions Club feels that the community is becoming resilient and strong, but there are days that some people cannot get out of bed as they feel they have nothing positive to look forward to,” Ms Manners said.
“Celebrating how we have come out of this tragedy and are moving forward is paramount to our mental health and encourages those who are still living the crisis to come out and be supported by everyone.”
Bowra’s Big Bash was originally scheduled to take place before Christmas, and then again in January, but was postponed twice due to wet weather.
Proceeds from the event will go towards funding a new 4WD tanker for the Bowraville Fire and Rescue squad.