The Sunshine Community Brass Band is hitting the road in the search of new members and hoping to help struggling rural communities along the way.
The band blew into St Arnaud and Donald on its Empty Suitcase Tour earlier this month as a way of giving back to country communities.
The band played at the Donald Show, the state orchid show and St Arnaud Uniting Church.
But it’s what they took away from those towns that made the trip most memorable, said band president Andrew Wilson as he explained the “Empty Suitcase movement”.
“When you next travel to a rural and remote community please take an empty suitcase, fill it with your weekly essentials [bought from local shops] and empower yourself and others around you,” he said. “Groceries, gifts, medical supplies, batteries, a birthday card, garden hose, knickers, socks, clothes, stamps, envelopes, matches, pet food or a newspaper.”
He said regional communities often did it tough and making purchases from their businesses was a very effective way of helping.
“Imagine being a business owner, who cannot afford to restock their shelves with basic essentials because the locals are not spending as they have their belts tightened, too,” he said.
“In times of drought, flood and plague, farmers are unable to sustain their local town businesses.”
If you have some skill with a trumpet, trombone or percussion, the band wants to hear from you. Call Peter on 0419 138 114.
