News
ACMF presents the Hillston Graze and Groove fundraising event
SHANNON NOLL WILL BE PERFORMING LIVE, ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS…. DON’T MISS OUT!
When: Sunday 1st April 2012, 11am-5pm
Where: Hillston Showground, Hillston
A spectacular, free entry community event to help raise funds for an ACMF music program for Hillston Secondary School students!
An array of exciting activities are planned- including LIVE MUSIC (featuring Shannon Noll, Don Spencer OAM and many other great performers and local talent), SAUSAGE SIZZLES, RAFFLES and FAMILY FUN!
AND…..
The Chophouse have generously offered to join in, by hosting a “GRAZE & GROOVE” FULL 3 COURSE LUNCH at the event.
Click here to view this mouth-watering menu. Tickets for this will be sold prior to the event and are $100 per person (this price includes all alcoholic drinks too). There are only 100 seats available!
*Please note that entry to the lunch area is strictly only 18+.
For those wanting to purchase tickets to this special lunch, please contact Hillston Central School Office on 02 6967 2277.
* PLEASE NOTE: STRICTLY NO BYO FOOD OR ALCOHOL. ALL FOOD AND DRINKS MUST BE PURCHASED AT THE EVENT.*
Click here to download a copy of the poster below.
BIG MUSIC HOSTS ANNUAL OPEN DAY- see you there music lovers!
EVENT DETAILS
Date: Saturday, 4th February 2012
Time: 10am to 5pm
Venue: Big Music – 85 Alexander Street, Crows Nest
Free music lessons, cool recording and rehearsal studios, live music, sausage sizzle and more! Come along and join in the festivities!
A gold coin donation BBQ will also be provided on the day to support Big Music’s favourite charity , ACMF!
The Big Music Annual Open Day is a free event, open to EVERYONE, to pursue their musical aspirations. Children and adults are invited to come along and enjoy free music lessons, play guitar, drums or keyboard, experience vocal coaching, or just take a look around the awesome facilities and consider enrolment options for the year ahead.
“As we welcome in the New Year, it’s a great time to consider music lessons for the young and old, in particular for kids as they settle into their 2012 school routine. Music lessons are beneficial as they help children develop the part of their brain that enhances their problem solving skills. Parents of our students tell us that they see an enormous improvement in their child’s behaviour, and performance at school, after they’ve started a music lesson with our music coaches.”~ Richard Berkman, Director of Big Music.
Click here to take a look at a video showcasing Big Music’s facilities!
“I am delighted that Big Music is hosting its Open Day again this year, and for supporting the ACMF at the event. Music inspires creativity and imagination, improves self esteem and brings solace and hope. I encourage everyone to attend this special event and reap the rewards that music undoubtedly provides.” ~ ACMF Founder Don Spencer OAM.
Massive thanks to Hard Rock Cafe, Sydney!
Huge thank you to the generous folk at the Hard Rock Cafe in Darling Harbour, Sydney – for brightening ACMF’s day with a delivery of 12 beautiful children’s guitars!
Thank you on behalf of all the delighted children who will get such enjoyment from these!
YOU GUYS ROCK!
Head down to the Rocks TODAY, to support Dicko in the lunchtime Celebrity Apprentice ARTWORK AUCTION Challenge!
Celebrity created pop-up artworks for sale & auction- with proceeds going to charity!
Where: 47 George Street, The Rocks. (Old Sandstone building upstairs)
When: TODAY!- Tuesday 24th January 1.00pm to 2.30pm.
ACMF Ambassador, DICKO- (along with the other Celebrity Apprentice 2012 contestants) has been given the task of raising as much money as possible for their chosen charity by creating a pop up art space in The Rocks, Sydney. Every Celebrity will be creating and showcasing an original piece of artwork that represents a moment that changed their life for better or worse.
The Celebs will talk candidly about their experience and explain the feelings and thought behind their artwork. All artwork will be available for sale, some through auction some by just plain haggling.
The entire Celebrity Apprentice 2012 Team will be there: Dicko, Pattie Newton, Jason Akermanis, Vince Sorrenti, Ben Dark, Nathan Jolliffe
If Dicko’s team wins the challenge by raising more money than the other team, then proceed from both events will go to the ACMF!
Head down this lunchtime and pick up a collector’s item from Dicko!
Smaller bits of art will be on offer too- that will enable people/companies/ benefactors to provide donations.
Thanks to all who attended Jack’s Bar & Grill Fundraising Night this last weekend, and made it such a great success!
Jack’s Bar & Grill Erina’s Saturday night fundraiser was a roaring success with a superbly festive atmosphere. Thanks to all who attended this and made the evening so memorable.
There was a considerable amount raised which will be put towards the recording project happening in late March.
Brent Murphy is on the lookout for fantastic young talent from the Central Coast region and when the CD is released, all funds will go to the ACMF. Watch this space for updates!
Come to Jack’s Bar and Grill, Erina THIS SATURDAY NIGHT! Join in the fun and feel-good factor!
Nothing Sacred, along with local lads Rocwater and Jack’s Bar and Grill, are hosting a fundraiser night on Saturday 14th January at 8pm at Jack’s Bar, Erina! Many other special guest performers will also be performing including Supernova, Jellyfish and Crunch Time.
There will be no cover charge on the night, and all performers are waiving their usual fee.
Funds raised will come from a percentage of the bar and food sales.. so come hungry and thirsty! Fundraising from the night will be put towards the recording of a compilation CD of local high schooler singer/songwriters (produced by Brent from Nothing Sacred).
All proceeds from The CD and online sales are going to ACMF. Look forward to seeing you there!
Click here to visit Jack’s Bar and Grill.
Chris Sexton sets NEW WORLD RECORD in an epic 650km hike/run across the Australian Alps… raising $10,500 for the ACMF!
We are DELIGHTED to announce that our hero, Chris Sexton, has successfully completed his solo and unsupported 650km trek- and is now safe and sound with his proud family. CONGRATULATIONS CHRIS!
Read Chris’s inspirational feature story in the March Issue of ‘Men’s Fitness’ Magazine.
Chris Sexton’s AAWT challenge is proudly supported by Big Music Australia, and TC Communications (allsatphones).
Read more about this epic adventure and story here! For the average person, this trek would take over 6 weeks- but Chris completed this in 16 DAYS! Watch the inspirational interview here.
Show your support for Chris, and help the ACMF make a difference to disadvantaged Australian children and youth!
Thank you to Chris Sexton, his family and all those who have supported this incredible achievement.
BIG MUSIC & ACMF MONSTER RAFFLE WINNERS!
Big Music launched their Christmas Raffle at the Crows Nest Fair back in October.
Huge congratulations to the below winners who were drawn by Don Spencer OAM yesterday:
Yamaha F310 Guitar Pack – Denise Ward
Yamaha Pocket Track – Jet Metcalfe
Yamaha DT Explorer Drum kit – Julian Mostert
Yamaha keyboard – Sara Allen
Yamaha Electric Acoustic Guitar – David Holder
Yamaha Electric Guitar package with Amp rbx270yns – Tyler Harrhy
Yamaha Bass Guitar and Amp – Wayne Rigney
Shure Microphone SM58 – Keith Pereira
Kamoa E Series Soprano Uke – David Klein
Thank you for your involvement and support!
Enjoy fabulous food and LIVE entertainment at the Chophouse every Wednesday and Saturday night!
You’ll be helping raise funds for the ACMF!
All diners are encouraged to offer donations when they pay their bill, in appreciation of the performing musician who plays from 7pm-10pm.
Performers rotate regularly, so you can click here to view the full list of their performance dates in the new year. !
To book a table at the Chophouse, please call 1300 CHOP IT or go to www.chophouse.com.au
Students from the ACMF music program at Sunshine College West in Melbourne performing at their annual college production called “Shine”.
The ACMF teacher who inspires the students to such a great level of performance is drummer Mark Grunden – you can see Mark in the video wearing his bandana! Mark’s been working with ACMF since 2008, teaching his drumming magic at two other schools – Sunshine Harvester and Ardeer Primary schools.
Don Spencer sings a Ken Rosewall tribute song
Click here to listen to Don singing a Ken Rosewall Tribute Song
Ken Rosewall, “Muscles” to his friends, was one of the Australian greats of tennis. In a career that continued into his 40s, Rosewall amassed a collection of 18 major titles and achieved a career doubles Grand Slam.
One of the finest players to not win Wimbledon, Rosewall made it to the final at The All England Club on four occasions (1954, 1956, 1970 and 1974).
“Don’t Call Me a Koala Bear & Other Aussie Songs” is a perfect Christmas present!
Don Spencer’s fabulous ‘Don’t Call me a Koala Bear & Other Aussie Songs’ book is now in-store and available in Myer, David Jones and ABC Stores for $16.95.
The perfect Christmas pressie for a special little someone you might know!
This book comes with a CD of 13 Aussie songs- great to sing along to whilst reading the book and looking at the bright and cheery pictures! (illustrations by Michelle Pike).
Celebrate Christmas with music!
ACMF Ambassador, George Ellis (also known as ‘Conductor ‘G’) is holding a Christmas Orchestra concert on Saturday 10th December!
This concert will be extra special as it will also be featuring George’s daughter, Bronte Ellis.
Click here to buy tickets.
ICAP Support ACMF in the Annual ICAP Charity Day- raising sufficient funding for a 12 month school music program!
Every December since 1993, ICAP have given away all revenues and commissions on one day to charities – in 2011, ACMF was lucky enough to be involved!
A MASSIVE thanks to Brad Howell, Jason Howell and Linda O’Sullivan from ICAP and our fabulous ACMF ambassadors and supporters: Tim Freedman, Marc Christowski, John Waters, Deni Hines for making the fundraising day so successful and memorable!
Check out the professional photos from the day here.
Click here to view the fabulous video showcasing the event. There were many famous faces involved in this fundraising event, in many countries around the world. We were fortunate enough to visit the Sydney event!
The Christmas spirit of the ACMF team
So far, summer hasn’t been the brightest Sydney has experienced. However, this hasn’t stopped ACMF from having a festive Christmas season!
Don Spencer, the ACMF staff, some lovely volunteers and ACMF Ambassadors showcased the passion behind our music programs at the carols by candlelight concerts at Martin Place, Hyde Park, Alexandria, Surry Hills, Rosebery and Rushcutters Bay.
Don lead ACMF music students from Matraville Soldiers Settlement School on stage in performing the carols.
Thank you to the team from Rotary who organised and ran a BBQ at each event and thank you to everyone who supported by donating or buying ACMF merchandise.
Gift-giving Clover Moore right in the spirit of Christmas
Ms Moore joined Don Spencer and his daughter Danielle to launch the city’s Christmas celebrations yesterday, in front of the popular Martin Place Christmas tree, this year standing 21m tall and decorated with 58,000 LED lights.
To read more of the article, click here.
Click here to view photos from the media launch.
Chris Sexton Media Release
The time is nearing for Chris Sexton’s departure on his mission across the Australian Alps to help raise funds and awareness for the ACMF – what a champion! Take a look at the media release here.
City of Sydney Christmas Launch
The show must go on with rain, hail or shine!!!
The City of Sydney is teaming up with the Australian Children’s Music Foundation this festive season to add some magic to it’s Christmas celebrations and change the lives of disadvantaged kids across the country. Today was the official launch day which was held in Martin Place and will be followed tonight with Christmas Carols. So bring your family and come sing along with the ACMF.
To view the official media release, click here.
Sky News ignites awareness of the ACMF
Brooke Corte visited Soldiers’ Settlement School in Matraville, Sydney, and met with teachers and students who are benefiting from the Australian Children’s Music Foundation program of creative learning that provides music instruction and instruments to disadvantaged and isolated children. ACMF Founder, Don Spencer, also shares the background, aims and successes of this organisation that ensures music is used as ‘a great way to encourage creativity, self esteem and joy’ and invests in the long-term emotional well-being of the country’s future. Click here to view the interview.
