Australian singer-songwriter Liz Stringer delivered a powerful and heartfelt concert at the Theatre Royal on Sunday night, turning the spotlight on Mount Alexander Shire’s acute housing crisis and helping to raise an extraordinary $5,300 for local homelessness services.
The event combined world-class music with urgent advocacy. Between songs, Stringer wove personal reflections on housing injustice into her performance for the crowd.
My Home Network Coordinator Kaz Neilson outlined the confronting local reality: 30 people sleeping rough on any given night, 80 people experiencing homelessness, almost 90% of renting households in housing stress, and an estimated 1,200 vacant or underutilised dwellings across the Shire.
“The need is stark,” Neilson told the audience. “We urgently require 600 more social housing properties, 40 transitional homes and 20 crisis beds. Releasing even a portion of those empty homes as affordable rentals would make an immediate difference.”
Throughout the night, Liz’s MC Emily moved through the crowd with a glowing QR code, inviting donations to Dhelkaya Health’s frontline housing services and encouraging the audience to take action for homelessness.
Dhelkaya Health’s Housing Team Manager Ebony Sharma said the response had been overwhelming. “We heard so many compliments and messages of gratitude for the work of Dhelkaya Health and our partners. To raise more than $5,300 in one evening is extraordinary. Every dollar will go directly toward food, hygiene products and emergency relief for individuals and families experiencing homelessness – restoring dignity and ensuring safety in times of crisis. We are deeply grateful to Liz Stringer and her amazing team for their passion, generosity and powerful advocacy.”
Liz Stringer said: “I am so happy that the Castlemaine community came out in support of Dhelkaya Health and that we reached the total of donations that we did. It’s been an honour to work side by side on this show with an organisation whose staff show so much dedication and integrity to the people around them, especially those individuals who find themselves in a time of great need.”
Dhelkaya Health thanks Liz Stringer, her band and crew for creating an unforgettable night of music and solidarity. To make a donation to the cause, visit dhelkayahealth.org.au/donate
