Sidney Myer Free Concerts- Melbourne - 2, 5, 9 & 12 February 2005

Classical music lovers can help rebuild the lives of those affected by the Boxing Day tsunamis when attending the Sidney Myer Free Concerts performed by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 2nd , 5th , 9th and 12th February at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

At each concert, Plan - a child centred community development organisation - will be collecting donations for the Plan REBUILDING ASIA Tsunami Appeal. So pack a picnic, grab some cushions and bring your friends and family for an enchanting night under the stars.

Plan - is proud to be associated with the annual Sidney Myer Free Concerts which features a host of talented Australian and international artists performing the music of Brahms, Verdi, Rossini, Holst, Hindson, Rachmaninov, Puccini, Strauss, Mozart, Elgar, Glinka, Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov.

Melbourne Symphony Orchestra's Managing Director Trevor Green said the annual Sidney Myer Free Concerts are one of the defining moments of summer in Melbourne . This year they also provide the opportunity to help rebuild the lives of people affected by the tsunamis.

"Concert goers can make a donation to Plan via authorised Plan collectors that will be circulating in the audience before each concert performance and during interval," he said.

"The tsunamis have devastated millions of lives this summer, and collectively our donations - even a few coins - can make a difference," Trevor Green said.

Ian Wishart, Plan Australia National Executive Director said Plan hopes to raise $50,000 from the generosity of audiences. "Funds donated to Plan's Rebuilding Asia Tsunami Appeal will go to assisting with the tsunami relief effort - both in the immediate response and long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction work in Sri Lanka in Hambantota and possibly other districts. And in Indonesia and India , Plan has prepared long-term disaster response programs to assist children and communities in tsunami-devastated regions"

Mr Wishart said there has been a tremendous spontaneous response by Australians to help the people affected by the tsunamis, but more funds are desperately needed to support the ongoing, long-term rebuilding of areas in Sri Lanka , Indonesia and India .

"It isn't just that people must rebuild their homes. Many must try to earn a living again, having lost their means of livelihood. For example, many small open fishing boats on which coastal economies largely depend, have been smashed," Mr Wishart said.

Sidney Myer Free Concerts:

To make a donation to the Plan Australia REBUILDING ASIA Tsunami Appeal, visit Plan's website www.plan.org.au, call 1800 038 100 or SMS your name and donation amount to 0429 11 31 31.

Tim Cansfield-Smith
Plan Media & Communications Manager
Phone: 03 5348 3634
Mobile: 0411 642 194