The second Gig 4 Gaza event held in Castlemaine last Friday was a huge success, with hundreds filling the Town Hall to raise more than $8000 for three important not-for-profit organisations.
The evening featured six local and Melbourne-based acts, spanning indie, rock, folk, grunge and electronic music. DJ Luqman finished off the night with a set of beats inspired by the music of his home country of Palestine.
Members of Youth Action Collective Castlemaine were joined by Syrian refugee Nathalie Farah.
Local activist Sylvie, 17, is one of more than a dozen local youths who have formed the Youth Action Collective Castlemaine.
These passionate advocates are determined to address injustices, particularly in relation to First Nations people and to support individuals, families and aid organisations in Gaza.
A third of the funds raised will be directed to mutual aid for families connected to Castlemaine, a third to Grandmas Against Removal Victoria and a third to Haya Washington (a humanitarian aid organisation delivering urgently needed supplies from Washington to the Gaza Strip and the West Bank).
The Youth Collective Castlemaine, which formed last year after the inaugural Gig 4 Gaza, hopes to raise another $2000 before sending the money to the three not-for-profit organisations.
“We care deeply about what we are doing,” Sylvie said.
“We want mothers to be able to give birth safely and for babies to have food. These are basic human necessities that everyone should have a right to and are currently being denied.”
If you are interested in donating or joining, head to the Youth Action Collective Castlemaine Instagram or Facebook page and follow the link.