are-able Bands Together for Bushfire Victims

are-able Horsham Employment Consultant Nicholas Bamford never thought his day job and his hobby would meet, but that’s exactly what happened when he found himself playing bass guitar in his band ‘White Trash Candy’ as part of a Horsham bushfire fundraiser. The ‘Fire Fight @ the Exchange’ event featured local bands and raised over $17,000 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and WWF – Australia Nature and Wildlife recovery fund.

Providing guitar players is just one of the many ways are-able has contributed to the bushfire effort. Operating within 29 regional towns across Victoria & South Australia, the organisation is aware of the power of community.

are-able CEO Tom Scarborough understands the importance of people coming together during times of need.

“We’re really proud of the leadership shown by our staff and team in organising and supporting community fundraising events for bushfire victims. Over the past few weeks we really have seen the power of music and bringing people together,” he said.

Colac’s event ‘Band Together Colac’ was also proudly sponsored by are-able. The community concert featured an astounding 30 music acts across 4.5 hours and raised more than $42,000 to support The Australian Red Cross.

are-able Warrnambool contributed $4860 to Coast Aid’s Warrnambool Bushfire Appeal, a free Australia Day weekend community event attracting more than a thousand people. The event featured are-able’s very own ‘Find your Voice Choir’ and raised over $16,500 for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

are-able Director of Communications and Engagement Andrea Hogan was thrilled with the success of the event.

“The Warrnambool community support for this event was inspiring. One of our Employment Consultants was on the volunteer organising committee, and we were thrilled to assist by providing marketing resources and financial support,” she said.

“It was wonderful to see local businesses and artists band together for such a great cause. As a not-for-profit organisation we are committed to adding value to communities and improving people’s lives, and what a fantastic way to show communities devastated by the fires that we’re behind them,” she said.