Colin Hay, pictured in a Save Western Port Woodlands T-shirt, has recorded a message from Los Angeles and will deliver a new version of his smash hit song “Down Under” for the concert. By Noel Maud
MEN at Work’s Colin Hay is a long way from the Western Port woodlands. But from his home in Los Angeles, with help from one of his local owls, Colin will join indigenous singer songwriter Kutcha Edwards and many of Gippsland’s popular musicians in a free picnic concert on Sunday, November 28.
The concert, at The Gurdies Winery, is being organised by community group Save Western Port Woodlands.
Hay will deliver a powerful video message of support for the group’s campaign, then present a newly recorded version of Down Under, still one of the nation’s best loved songs almost 40 years after its release.
MEN at Work’s Colin Hay is a long way from the Western Port woodlands. But from his home in Los Angeles, with help from one of his local owls, Colin will join indigenous singer songwriter Kutcha Edwards and many of Gippsland’s popular musicians in a free picnic concert on Sunday, November 28.
The concert, at The Gurdies Winery, is being organised by community group Save Western Port Woodlands.
Hay will deliver a powerful video message of support for the group’s campaign, then present a newly recorded version of Down Under, still one of the nation’s best loved songs almost 40 years after its release.
But why the owl?
Colin said he used to enjoy driving through the Western Port woodland corridor in the 1970s and 80s, and had heard it was now threated by sand mining.
“I always felt comforted when I drove through that woodland. We have a brown owl living on our property here in LA and when I walked outside he looked at me intently and gave me a ‘hoo hoo’.
“I took this as a message from his distant cousin, the powerful owl, which is under threat, along with the trees he lives in. There are many forests and natural habitats that are under threat globally but I feel connected to this one. Even though I no longer live near it, I still feel that connection.”
Colin said he used to enjoy driving through the Western Port woodland corridor in the 1970s and 80s, and had heard it was now threated by sand mining.
“I always felt comforted when I drove through that woodland. We have a brown owl living on our property here in LA and when I walked outside he looked at me intently and gave me a ‘hoo hoo’.
“I took this as a message from his distant cousin, the powerful owl, which is under threat, along with the trees he lives in. There are many forests and natural habitats that are under threat globally but I feel connected to this one. Even though I no longer live near it, I still feel that connection.”
Kutcha Edwards headlines the Save Western Port Woodlands concert with songs from his new album. Photo: Nici Cahill
The concert’s headline act is Kutcha Edwards, slated to appear at WOMADelaide, one of Australia’s pre-eminent music events, in 2022, and also at the Port Fairy Folk Festival.
Named Indigenous Person of the Year and winner of a Deadly for Male Artist of the Year, Kutcha will present songs from his new album.
“This will be a cracking concert,” says concert organiser Tim O’Brien. “There will be a lot of very good session musicians featuring and the concert will be delivered up close and personal. It should be a memorable experience for everyone.”
Doc White, a well regarded Melbourne bluesman, now living on Phillip Island, will perform along with acoustic folk group the SB Bandibeats, featuring Tim and friends.
Bass Coast’s new mayor, Michael Whelan, will play with his bluegrass band the Bass Coast Pickers.
Named Indigenous Person of the Year and winner of a Deadly for Male Artist of the Year, Kutcha will present songs from his new album.
“This will be a cracking concert,” says concert organiser Tim O’Brien. “There will be a lot of very good session musicians featuring and the concert will be delivered up close and personal. It should be a memorable experience for everyone.”
Doc White, a well regarded Melbourne bluesman, now living on Phillip Island, will perform along with acoustic folk group the SB Bandibeats, featuring Tim and friends.
Bass Coast’s new mayor, Michael Whelan, will play with his bluegrass band the Bass Coast Pickers.
Rosie Westbrook. Photo: Nici Cahill Laura Brearley and Friends will sing songs inspired by the woodland campaign and the concert also features composer/musician Rosie Westbrook.
The concert gets under way around midday and runs until 2pm, when the charity art auction begins.
Catherine Watson from Save Western Port Woodlands says that while the campaign has a serious purpose, this will be a day of celebration in a beautiful setting with views over the forest corridor to Western Port.
“Now we are out of Covid lockdowns and spring is, hopefully, arrived, we think it’s time to celebrate.
“This concert and exhibition is a thank you to the many hundreds of people who are supporting the campaign to save our coastal woodlands from sand mine expansions,” she said.
Entry is free. Bring a picnic or you can order a bottle of the Gurdies award-winning wine, plus a local cheese platter and tea or coffee.
Proof of vaccination is required for entry to the venue.
The concert gets under way around midday and runs until 2pm, when the charity art auction begins.
Catherine Watson from Save Western Port Woodlands says that while the campaign has a serious purpose, this will be a day of celebration in a beautiful setting with views over the forest corridor to Western Port.
“Now we are out of Covid lockdowns and spring is, hopefully, arrived, we think it’s time to celebrate.
“This concert and exhibition is a thank you to the many hundreds of people who are supporting the campaign to save our coastal woodlands from sand mine expansions,” she said.
Entry is free. Bring a picnic or you can order a bottle of the Gurdies award-winning wine, plus a local cheese platter and tea or coffee.
Proof of vaccination is required for entry to the venue.
The Gurdies Winery