City staff get set to tread the boards for Foodbank

Think City of Greater Geraldton Council staff are boring pencil pushers with no personality?

Boy, are you in for a pleasant surprise on July 26 when City staff present a variety benefit concert to raise funds for Foodbank Geraldton, at 7pm at Queens Park Theatre.

Some amazing talent lurks amongst City staff who will entertain with music and comedy in the With a Little Help From Our Friends concert, so named to promote the idea of people helping others in need, and of course recognising help from well- known friends outside the City who will support the cast on stage.

Leading the friends will be Geraldton’s own very talented Mia Royce along with Aaron Willcox wielding some guitar magic.

City Mayor, Ian Carpenter said this voluntary initiative from City staff and friends shows great community spirit to raise funds for Foodbank. “Staff from across the organisation are volunteering their time, talent and effort, at no cost to the City, we are simply providing QPT as the venue. They are doing all the arranging and rehearsals in their own time,” he said.

“It will be an enjoyable night and City Councillors encourage the community to get into the spirit of the concert and support this great cause.”

City CEO, Ken Diehm, said it is wonderful to see the musical talents of City staff in a charity concert for Foodbank.

“All too often, we focus on our work, and it’s important to note that people have lives outside of work and people who are less fortunate require our support,” he said.

“It never ceases to amaze me the width and breadth of talent of our staff and I encourage everyone to come along and enjoy a fun evening of entertainment to help Foodbank. The generosity of City staff is to be congratulated – and it’s all for a good cause. Helping those in Geraldton who do not have the same opportunities as many of us do.”

The concert has received support from the Mid West Chamber of Commerce and Industry - long supporters of Foodbank and local charities - with promotion to its members, and CBD Chamber members are separately holding a combined food and blankets donation day for Foodbank and the Salvation Army in the CBD on July 5.

With support from city centre traders, flyers for the With a Little Help From Our Friends City concert will be distributed to the public at that event.

In addition to concert box office proceeds being donated to Foodbank, food donation bins will be available in the QPT foyer on concert night. A feature of the night, to boost the fund raising effort, will be the auction of a beautiful Abrolhos pearl pendant, designed and crafted especially for the concert and generously donated by Chimere Pearls. Tickets for the concert are available from the Queens Park Theatre 9956 6662, the Civic Centre, 63 Cathedral Avenue, Geraldton, or online at www.queensparktheatre.com.au