A community concert featuring Australian singer Daryl Braithwaite is at risk of financial failure due to low ticket sales, which could lead to personal losses for local volunteers in Goolwa, South Australia. Scheduled for next Saturday, the event aims to support businesses affected by a recent algal bloom crisis that has devastated the local economy. Despite the appeal of the concert, ticket sales have been sluggish, raising concerns among the organisers.
Currently, only 865 tickets have been sold, far below the 2,300 tickets needed just to break even. Tamara McRobbie from the Goolwa Community Association expressed her concerns in a statement, explaining that the funds raised were intended to help local coastal operators recover from a series of cancellations and uncertainties resulting from the algal bloom.
The algal bloom, first detected in March 2022, has spread across approximately 4,500 square kilometers, causing significant harm to marine life and leading to numerous reports of dead fish washing up on local beaches. While authorities declared multiple beach sites safe last month, with zero levels of the harmful algal species Karenia, businesses are still suffering from the aftermath.
Local residents have shared their experiences, underscoring the financial strain on the community. Jason Fischer, a Goolwa resident, noted that family members running a bed and breakfast have faced numerous cancellations. Similarly, Mal Biscoe, a local surf school owner, revealed he has lost around 50 percent of his business due to the ongoing crisis, despite a recent uptick in activity.
The small group of volunteers organising the concert has struggled to effectively promote the event. “We’ve lost some members along the way, and we are just a volunteer organisation, so we haven’t necessarily got a lot of experience,” McRobbie said. “But we’ve got a big heart and we want to do what’s right by the community.”
As the break-even point remains distant, organisers are urging South Australians to support the concert, not only for the sake of local businesses but also to prevent the volunteers from incurring financial losses. Despite a busy summer season for local beaches and cafes, uncertainty lingers about the potential return of the algal bloom.
The community hopes for a rallying response, encouraging attendance at the concert to show solidarity with local efforts. The success of the event could significantly impact the recovery of the Goolwa area, as it seeks to rebuild after the algal bloom crisis.
For those interested in supporting the cause, tickets for the concert can be purchased via the provided link.
