Tones and Longwood: Concert a ‘sigh of relief’ for bushfire-affected

Event co-ordinator Bree Mackrell said it took “an enormous amount of work” to pull off the feat, which was initially running without funding or sponsorship.

“From traffic management and emergency planning to portable infrastructure and volunteer co-ordination, every detail had to be carefully managed to deliver a safe event for nearly 5000 people,” Ms Mackrell said.

“It truly was a community-built event from the ground up.”

The day before the event, the Victorian Government announced it would help cover the costs of its delivery, with Tourism, Sport and Major Events Minister Steve Dimopoulos saying, “we are proud to support this event, which will provide a much-needed boost for a community that has had a really tough summer”.

State Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland attended the concert, and said it was “an enormous achievement”.

“The $125,000 contribution from the state government helped make the event possible, but the real story here is the volunteers and community leaders who had the courage to say yes to the opportunity, and then worked tirelessly to deliver it,” she said.

“Most importantly, the night raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Strathbogie Disaster Relief Fund, supporting families who have been through an incredibly difficult summer.”

In the days since the concert, community members who attended have reflected on its impact.

Police from the Benalla Service Area attended the show and wrote, on the local Eyewatch Facebook page, that they were proud to do so.

“After a challenging start to the year with bushfires across the area, it was great to see the community sharing plenty of smiles and good times,” Benalla police wrote.

“A huge thank you to the organisers and volunteers who made the night such a success, and to everyone who came along to support the cause.”

Attendee Debbie Pepper said the concert was a real turning point.

“Thousands of people came together to celebrate and support each other, and it was amazing to see,” she said.

“The energy was electric, with people from all walks of life uniting for a common cause.

“The vibe was super positive, like a massive collective sigh of relief.”

Ms Mackrell said the community’s response to the concert was “overwhelming, in the most beautiful way”.

“People came, not just for the music, but to stand together, after an incredibly difficult time,” she said.

“Having an artist of this calibre perform in Longwood was extraordinary. Small rural towns rarely get opportunities like this, especially so soon after a disaster.

“It sent a strong message that our community matters — that we are seen, supported and worth investing in.”

Ms Mackrell wanted to thank the countless names on the long list of people who helped bring the concert to life.

She said the funds raised on the night would support the recovery efforts across the Strathbogie region.

“This event showed what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” she said.

“It wasn’t just about one night of music — it was about healing, connection and giving people hope.”