Songs for Australia benefit concert raises money for Australian animal rescue

Kim Fenton was feeling helpless in the wake of the massive bushfires across Australia. But then she created Songs for Australia. Now, she said she no longer feels that way. 

“I feel that we can turn to each other and our community and we can make things happen rather than sit at home and feel terrible about everything,” Fenton said.

Songs for Australia is a fundraising event that will feature bands, singers and performers across all genres who will be playing from 3 to 11 p.m. this Sunday, Jan. 26. Cat’s Cradle has donated its venue for the event. 

Fenton began putting the event together only a couple of weeks ago.

“Before I knew it, we had 50 bands and performers offer their time to play at an event, and I was off and running,” Fenton said. 

Admission is free for all ages with donations to WIRES Wildlife Rescue being taken at the door. WIRES is the largest nonprofit organization that focuses on rescuing and rehabilitating native Australian animals. 

“I’ve been able to see the goodness in other people, the many people stepping forward to volunteer their time to donate prizes, money, it’s renewed my faith in humanity,” Fenton said.

Fenton said she thinks recovery in Australia is going to take a great deal of effort to be able to feed, nurture, and find places for animals to live.

“I’d like to see the event be a catalyst to more community participation and involvement,” Fenton said.

Fenton said she hopes to inspire attendees to volunteer, get involved with advocacy, or even just to make more donations. 

Radio station DJ Dawn Rowan has helped organize the event. 

“We have to start looking at the bigger picture," Rowan said. "I'm not one who can sit back and pretend like things aren't happening."

Rowan noticed Fenton needed help promoting and developing the event, so Rowan volunteered to help. 

“The species that are unique to Australia are important to the survival of planet Earth and human beings,” Rowan said. “What is happening now — if we keep going in this direction this is going to happen to all of us. We’re animals too.”

Lance White is the musical coordinator for involved bands and performers. He saw Fenton’s idea on Facebook and reached out to help.

“This is a great opportunity for musicians to help out a good cause,” White said.

White said he hopes the show can be an act of solidarity that lets Australians know North Carolina is thinking of them.

Susan King Cope is the development director at Carolina Tiger Rescue, the physical sponsor of the event. 

“There is a global epidemic in terms of extinctions and it’s just as important to save any species regardless if they are big cats or not big cats,” King Cope said.

Carolina Tiger Rescue is a nonprofit and will be collecting attendee's donations to WIRES, to ensure they are tax-deductible. 

“I hope the event will raise awareness for much-needed funds and inspire people to support local events that can have a global effect,” King Cope said.

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