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On Sunday June 19, the Women's Interfaith Network (WIN) Foundation ran a multi-faith concert of spiritual music. Held in the theatre of Collingwood College, and attended by the Deputy Consul-General of Japan, Mr Yasafume Kotake, the concert was organized to raise awareness and much needed funds for survivors of Japan’s recent earthquake, tsunami and resultant radiation leakage.

This wonderful event began with Indigenous elder, Uncle Reg Blow, welcoming us by playing the didgeridoo. Aunty Sharon Firebrace then welcomed us in a short speech and invited Mr Yasafume Kotake to speak to us. Mr Kotake spoke about the awful events that have happened in Japan this year, and helped us to connect with them, through stories of individual suffering and loss. He expressed his country’s appreciation to the performers, who all donated their time, to the audience who came to support Japan, and to WIN Foundation for organizing the event.

Before the music began, we had many prayers for the welfare of the Japanese who have been impacted by the disasters. Elders from Indigenous, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Maori, Buddhist, Zoroastrian, Sikh and Universalism, many speaking in their traditional tongues, prayed for the welfare of the Japanese.

Then the audience was treated to a feast of beautiful music and dance. From traditional Japanese drumming, to traditional Hindu dancing, to Jewish choral music, to traditional Sikh and Muslim Sufi music, to modern haunting melodies written and sung by a local artist, everything was a joy to listen to and watch.

People were asked to dig deep in their pockets and over $2000 was raised to go the food kitchen run in Japan by United Sikhs International. www.UnitedSikhs.org.

Further funds can be donated via EFT or Cash Deposit into:
Bendigo Bank Account. Account Name: Women’s InterFaith Network Foundation Inc. BSB: 633 108 Account Number: 140665472 Ref: United Sikhs

or Cheques made payable to “Womens InterFaith Network Foundation” can be sent to The Treasurer, Lisa Catinari, 138 Cromwell Street, Collingwood, 3066.

Please let us know if you would like a receipt. Your support is very well received.

A delicious afternoon tea was available after the concert, including beautiful vegetarian samosas made by Sikh Naujawan Melbourne and yummy cakes made by Pauline Crosby, aka BumbleBee Factories.

A massive “Thank You ”goes to Jamel Kaur Singh, Project Manager for WIN Foundation, who put countless hours into organizing and running the concert. Also to Lisa Catinari, of Cultural Infusion, who gave her time and skill to stage managing the concert on the day.

A great time was had by all.

REPORT By Heather Abramson, Women's Interfaith Network

Performers

Uncle Reg Blow
Aunty Sharon Firebrace
Dya Singh World Music Group
Parvyn Kaur and Josh Bennett
Kol Simcha, Jewish choir
Fuefukuro Japanese Drummers
Hindu Dance Troupe
Fo Guang Shan - Buddhist Lite International Victoria