Some local farming families in the Bathurst area that have battled on-going drought conditions  are looking forward to complimentary tickets to this weekend’s special drought benefit concert thanks to the generosity of event organisers.

The Iemma Government, Sydney Symphony and Bathurst Regional Council have joined forces to stage the special performance - which has sold out - at the Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre tomorrow night.

Primary Industries Minister Macdonald said it is the fifth year the NSW Government and the Sydney Symphony have joined forces to raise money for rural communities affected by the ongoing drought.

Mr Macdonald said one sponsor, BHP Billiton, had donated 40 tickets specifically for local drought affected families.

"It’s this kind of generosity combined with the commitment of the Sydney Symphony musicians and staff that enable these regional drought benefit events to be held in NSW," he said.

"We are all looking forward to the opportunity of enjoying world class musical entertainment and meeting some Central West families that have faced difficult times due to drought.

"If anyone deserves a special night out it is these hardworking families that have been doing it tough for years. The Iemma Government has committed more than $400 million to drought assistance measures and we will continue to stand by farmers until the drought ends."

Spokesperson for the Central Tablelands Rural Lands Protection Board Tim Johnston said the local farming families who had received free tickets were "absolutely thrilled".

Minister Macdonald said the drought recovery concert boosts morale for people in the bush.

"We hope to raise up to $50,000 for those local charities helping farming families and businesses survive," he said.

"Money raised will be divided equally among the drought recovery programs of the Australian Red Cross, Anglicare, St. Vincent de Paul Society and Salvation Army."

Sydney Symphony Managing Director, Libby Christie, said the Bathurst performance will be a highlight of the Orchestra’s 2008 regional touring program.

"Each year, the Sydney Symphony performs in hospitals, schools, concert halls and theatres throughout regional New South Wales," Ms Christie said.

"Regional touring is a very important part of our work.  The Sydney Symphony belongs to all the people of NSW and I know the musicians thoroughly enjoy their time on the road getting to know our supporters and audiences outside the metropolitan area. 

"The success of previous benefit concerts in Griffith, Broken Hill, Orange and Tamworth has inspired us once again to help communities still struggling with this terrible drought, and we are grateful to the support of the NSW Government, Minister Macdonald and many generous sponsors for helping to make these concerts happen."

Over 60 Sydney Symphony musicians and the Orchestra’s Chief Conductor and Artistic Director, Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti, will be flown to Bathurst by two specially chartered REX planes.

They will be accompanied by two tonnes of instruments, ranging from double basses and trombones, through to flutes and oboes.

The Bathurst Regional Council have shown their commitment to this event by providing the concert venue and staffing free of charge as well as donating the ticketing proceeds.

The 2008 Sydney Symphony annual regional tour is made possible by the NSW Government through the NSW Department of Primary Industries, the NSW Department of Water & Energy and NSW Ministry for the Arts; Bathurst Regional Council; BHP Billiton; Regional Express Airlines; Xstrata Coal; Snowy Hydro Ltd; Cadia Valley Operations; Telstra; St.George Bank; the Deloitte Foundation, the Royal Agricultural Society; The Rural Lands Protection Board; Sunrice; The Land; and the Federal Government through the Australia Council for the Arts.

Program

The concert will be conducted by Sydney Symphony Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Maestro Gianluigi Gelmetti.

Media contact: Minister Macdonald - Jason Bartlett 0438 209 281, Sydney Symphony - Yvonne Zammit 0410 761 578