Splendour In The Grass Adds To Flood Relief Appeal

Cyclone Debbie’s early April devastation of New South Wales, Australia’s Northern Rivers region left six people dead and a damage bill of potentially A$1 billion ($750 million) covering homes, businesses, schools and community spaces.  

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Splendour In The Grass, which is based in the region’s Byron Bay and which will draw close to 30,000 July 21-23, has begun an initiative to contribute to flood relief and cleanup fund.

It will auction 50 flood relief gold passes on its website May 2-9, with a minimum A$500 ($375) reserve.

These include access to VIP bars including the Golden View Bar overlooking the main stage action, and side of stage viewing for the amphitheatre.

All proceeds go to three major appeals, including those run by the City of Lismore and the lord mayor of Tweed.

Festival promoters Jessica Ducrou and Paul Piticco said in a statement, “Splendour is proud to call Northern NSW home and many of our event team live and operate businesses across the Lismore, Byron and Tweed Shires. It has been heartbreaking to see the flood damage on such a huge scale and also to hear so many stories of loss. We hope that this fundraising initiative will provide assistance to those who need it most.”

In other news, Northern Rivers Performing Arts has begun a crowd-funding campaign after flooding in the ground floor of its building destroyed its rehearsal, venue hire, box office, administration and commercial kitchen spaces.

Its general manager, Patrick Healey, said, “The waters rose so quickly we only had time to save half the computers and archival material and basic furniture.”