Battle of the Rock Bands 2008
Battle of the Bands is a competition where locals get the opportunity to showcase their talents while having some fun. Entries for 2008 are now open and all local bands are invited to rock the shire!
The winning band will also have the privilege of being able to strut their stuff in front of a live audience at this year’s Down the Park Youth Week Music Festival on Sunday April 2008.
The competition will be judged by an independent panel of music experts including last years winner, rock punk band ‘The Midday Fiasco’, who performed live in front of a crowd of over 4,000 at the 2007 Down the Park Festival.
Since taking the competition by storm in last year’s Battle, ‘The Midday Fiasco’ have gone on to play all around Sydney, including the Lansdowne Hotel and the Empire Hotel at Annandale. A recent gig highlight was playing with ‘After the Fall’ at Engadine Hall.
Heats for this years Battle of the Rock Bands will be held on Friday 29 February and 7 March at Jannali Community Hall, leading up to the all important grand final where bands will rock it out at Sutherland Entertainment Centre on Friday 14 March. Friends, family and fans can show their support by attending the live performances.
All events are proudly presented by PLAY. Council’s Youth Events Committee, and are drug and alcohol free. No crowd surfing or moshing will be permitted either. Tickets can be purchased at the door and cost $10 for the heats and $13 for the final with doors opening at 6.30pm and closing at 11pm.
Application forms are available on the Sutherland Shire Council’s website. All band members must be between the ages of 12-24 years old and at least two band members must be shire residents to be eligible for entry into the competition.
For more information on Battle of the Rock Bands 2008 or to download an entry form visit the council’s website at www.sutherland.nsw.gov.au. Entry forms must be mailed to Carly Tremble, Locked Bag 17, Sutherland, 1499.
Australia Day in the Shire
Australia Day in the Shire is always full of entertainment and fun activities and with three main locations to pick from there will be something for everyone.
At Cronulla, from 10am, they are bringing the bush to the beach with a woodchopping exhibition, mechanical bull ride, the Gum Boot Bocco or the simple pleasure of cuddling a furry native friend.
If none of those take your fancy then maybe you would like to learn how to cook good old Aussie tucker at the cooking demonstrations while enjoying the family friendly entertainment.
The afternoon will bring some great performances ranging from rock salsa to jazz and blues. The evening should be capped off with some ‘Swing! Live on the Sands’ topped off with the always popular fireworks extranganza at 9.30pm.
The Rotary Club of Sutherland will be holding an Australia Day Family Festival from 11am to10pm at Miranda park Miranda. You can sample something from the food stalls and enjoy the carnival rides and the display of the Australian Defence Force Equipment.
Your day can be finished off with face painting, live entertainment including Frizzy the Clown, Ceroc Dancers, Gerry and the Atrix, the Sutherland Shire Brass Band and fireworks from 9.00pm.
Blaxland Oval Menai will have a party and carnival type of atmosphere with a reptile show and for the Kids the Dora the Explorer Activity Centre from 5.00pm to 8.00pm. Face painting, temporary tattoos are also on offer while you enjoy the entertainment before settling in for the highlight of the night, the massive fireworks display from 8.00pm.
There will be Australia Day souvenirs available such as Australian Flags, design hand wavers / fans, flashing badges and tattoos along with glow sticks and bracelets on sale at all three locations and celebration sites.
The proceeds will go to the McGrath Foundation, mainly the McGrath Breast Care Nurses in rural and regional Australia, who educate young women to be breast aware.
McGrath Foundation nominated for Australia Day Charity
The McGrath Foundation is calling for volunteers to assist with fundraising activities in Cronulla on Australia Day. Sutherland Shire Council has nominated the McGrath Foundation as the charity for its Australia Day celebrations in Cronulla.
General Manager of the McGrath Foundation, Tracey Bevan, said the sheer scale of the event means the foundation needs the help of the local community to help achieve the McGrath Foundation’s fundraising goals.
“The Shire community has always supported the McGrath Foundation and we are proud to be the charity of choice for Cronulla Australia Day 2008. But we need all hands on deck and we’re asking for people to sign up to help on the day,” Tracey said.
Volunteers are being asked to man stalls for three hour shifts selling Australiana merchandise, the proceeds from which will be donated to the McGrath Foundation. Member of the Sutherland Shire community, Glenn and Jane McGrath, established the McGrath Foundation after Jane’s initial recovery from breast cancer.
To volunteer to help the McGrath Foundation this Australia Day, contact (02) 8962 6100. To participate in the Jane McGrath Classic visit www.jockathletic.com | 
