Community spirit shines as Tones and I bushfire recovery concert raises over $190,000

The Nationals Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland MP, has praised the extraordinary community effort behind the recent Tones and I bushfire recovery concert, which raised more than $190,000 for the Strathbogie Disaster Relief Fund.

Ms Cleeland said the event was a powerful reminder of the resilience and generosity of regional communities following the devastating summer bushfires.

“This concert did not happen because it was easy. It happened because a group of locals looked around after the bushfires and decided they had to step up for their community,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Behind the scenes was a mammoth effort. From securing permits and managing logistics, to increasing water supply capacity, telecommunications, traffic management and emergency planning, this was an enormous undertaking driven by volunteers and community leaders determined to make a difference.”

Ms Cleeland said she was also pleased to help secure a tourism activation grant to provide financial certainty for the event and ensure the maximum amount raised could go directly back into the community.

“I was proud to help secure a grant that gave organisers the financial security needed to deliver an event of this scale, while ensuring the money raised could go directly to the Strathbogie Disaster Relief Fund,” she said.

“When communities lead these efforts, the support reaches people faster and more effectively.”

The Strathbogie Disaster Relief Fund was established to provide direct support to those impacted by the fires, with funds distributed quickly to local families, farmers, businesses and community groups in need.

To date, the fund has raised more than $575,000, supported 167 households directly in their recovery, and distributed nearly $250,000 in support payments to those impacted by the devastating Longwood bushfire in January.

“This is what recovery looks like, and it is coming directly from our community,” Ms Cleeland said.

“Thank you seems so small considering the generosity, hard work and compassion that people have shown over these past few months.”

“This is exactly what regional Victoria does best. In the middle of hardship, people roll up their sleeves, support one another and find a way forward together.”

Ms Cleeland also thanked Australian artist Tones and I for supporting the region and helping shine a national spotlight on the recovery effort.

“To have someone of Tones and I’s calibre stand with our community during such a difficult time meant a great deal to many locals,” she said.

“The generosity shown, not just by performers but by volunteers, sponsors, emergency services, local businesses and every single person who bought a ticket or donated, should make the entire region incredibly proud.”

Ms Cleeland said the success of the fundraiser showed the strength of local leadership and community spirit across Strathbogie Shire and beyond.

“Regional communities continue to prove that when disaster strikes, they do not wait around for someone else to solve the problem,” she said.

“They get to work, they back each other in, and they make things happen.”