More musical events might be planned for the Dingee community following a get-together earlier this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Almost 90 people enjoyed a free concert and lunch at Dingee Memorial Hall on August 14.
Musicians from Bendigo and Melbourne donated their time and talents to the event, organised in support of the farming community.
“The area is a bit depressed because of the things that are going on, especially with the dairy crisis,” organiser David Lakeman said.
“A lot of farmers are walking off the land and selling.”
Mr Lakeman decided to get everyone together for a stress-free social afternoon.
Being a musician himself, he sought the support of friends and found several keen to perform with him.
Also volunteering their time and musical talents were music students taught by Sharlene Crage.
Dingee Bush Nursing Centre and the Dingee CWA jumped on board – the former provided the barbecue lunch, the latter catered for cakes and coffee.
Booklets about managing stress on the farm, provided by the bush nursing centre, and information about the VFF’s Look over the farm gate program were available on the day.
Funding was provided by the Loddon Shire and Victorian Farmers Federation.
Mr Lakeman said he was grateful to all involved for their support.
“It was just good to see most of these farmers come together and relax a little bit,” he said.
“That’s what I love about living here.”
He and his wife, Ms Crage, moved to Dingee about two years ago.
Mr Lakeman said about 80 people attended a similar event about three months ago, called Jazz in the Park.
“It cost nothing to come down and listen to the music, but they had to pay for their own food and drinks,” he said.
“We got a very good response.”