Hats Off - A concert with a difference
Forum Theatre Melbourne 12 November 2000
An Extract from Pamela Rabe's Address
Hi! As Martin said my name is Pamela Rabe. I am an actor and I am very proud and honored to have been asked to become a Patron of Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity fights AIDS.
I want to take a moment to say a couple of words about what this organisation is and what it does.
It all started a few years ago when Jonathan Mill and Tia Jordan organised a fundraising benefit at the Chamberlain Hotel in Sydney. They were members of the cast of "CABARET" at the time. They managed to raise $4000 that night towards the Community Support Network of the AIDS Council of NSW.
Something else happened that night though. They also hatched an idea. An idea of a charitable organisation, fashioned along the lines of Broadway Cares/Equity fights AIDS in the States, that was dedicated to raising money to help in some way to mitigate the suffering of people affected by HIV/AIDS and HIV related illnesses.
With the help of the Media Alliance that night Oz Showbiz Cares/Equity Fights AIDS was born.
In that short time, three years, it has just grown and grown and the organisation has managed to raise through concerts, quiz nights, cabaret nights, celebrity auctions and events that are organised by individual casts - they have managed to raise over $100,000 for critically (INTERRUPTED BY APPLAUSE)
Some will remember and some of you may have attended a fantastic PRISONER 25th Anniversary in this theatre. I gather it was a spectacular evening. I couldn't be here because I was across the river performing at the Arts Centre with Maggie Kirkpatrick. We were having a PRISONER experience of our own! I gather it was a great night and on that night alone they managed to raise over $30,000. That money specifically went to two groups here in Melbourne - Positive Women (an organisation run for and by women with HIV/AIDS) and also The Bouverie Centre in Carlton. The Bouverie Centre at that time was teetering on the edge of closure and with the help of that money they managed to survive and maintain their services.
This is the third "HATS OFF". The first two were in Sydney and they handed the baton over to Melbourne this year. I know there are big dreams for this. Already plans are going ahead for two "HATS OFF" concerts on the same night in Melbourne and Sydney next year with a future dream that in every capital city on the same night there will be concerts going on.
The proceeds from tonight's concert are specifically directed towards funding the Victorian AIDS Council's appointment of an AIDS officer to help the indigenous community with their battles against HIV.
This organisation is to provide services, to provide support and care and love and often financial assistance for people and individuals in need. Some of us may not have a lot of money but we have a couple of things. We have a huge wealth of talent. And there is something we really know how to do well which is knowing how to work together to put on a really good show.
I want to thank on behalf of Oz Showbiz Cares everyone you see on this stage tonight. All the singers, dancers, musicians have offered their talent for free. Many behind the scenes are doing this out of the goodness of our hearts.
Remember what we do together can make a difference.
Please continue to contribute - whatever it is. Contribute your ideas, your energy, buy a hat, come to the concerts.
As the slogan goes: raise money raise awareness raise the roof.
(APPLAUSE)