Sara Sing with guitarist Simon Harker. Photo: Sara Ang.
If listening to cruisy tunes in a stunning natural setting sounds like your ideal Sunday, get down to Mossy on Gardens on 23 April.
No guilt necessary – the concert is free and if you’re so inclined, you can donate to a good cause while you’re there.
From noon to 2 pm, Mossy on Gardens and Sydney musician Sara Ang (@sarasingstunes on Instagram) will present ‘Songs Against Silence’ for a sweet, chilled afternoon of tunes for a very good cause – the Eurobodalla Domestic Violence Committee (EDVC).
The idea for Songs Against Silence was inspired after the EDVC and Eurobodalla Youth Committee held their annual colour run in March, to support survivors of domestic violence in the region.
“The colour run was a wonderful experience for the community and a fun way to break the ice on a tough conversation,” performer Sara Ang said.
“Relationships are difficult and especially over the past couple of years, recovering from the trauma of the fires and then COVID on top of that and then flooding in some areas, we’re kidding ourselves if we think domestic violence isn’t an issue.
“But it can be hard to talk about and get the right information to the right people – that’s where these very non-confrontational events can help.”
The EDVC is a local collective of support services for all domestic violence cases who work together to educate the community about healthy relationships and what to do if you are in an unsafe situation.
Sara and Belinda Dorsett, owner of the Mossy Cafe, put their heads together and thought a relaxed afternoon of live music in the Botanic Gardens would be the ideal follow-up.
Mossy on Gardens was the obvious venue – the new venture in the Eurobodalla Botanic Gardens, was born after the Black Summer bushfires tore through the gardens.
After the subsequent rebuild and expansion the Mossy group took over the brand-new cafe space.
“The Botanic Gardens are one of the best-kept secrets in the Eurobodalla – they’re considered one of the top ten in Australia,” Belinda said.
“There’s fantastic play equipment, beautiful walks and great disabled access.
“First and foremost, the concert is about coming to a beautiful environment, having a nice coffee or something to eat and enjoying some beautiful music.
“If you can learn a bit and find some avenues for support you didn’t know about, great, if you want to make a donation, great, if you don’t that’s fine too.”
Sam Monck, assistant manager of the Women’s Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Service and EDVC member, said these kinds of community-led events made real change.
“It’s a great thing for the community to do together, it’s not support services driving it, because everyone has a responsibility to speak out,” she said.
“If we can do that in subtle ways that are fun that’s a great way to start – every person who is a little bit more aware might be able to stand up against violence they see, or support friends and family if they notice early signs of unhealthy relationships.”
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