UTUNGUN Community Hall is hosting an enchanting and emotional evening of film and song which has emerged from personal stories in the aftermath of Nymboida’s firestorm.

With funding from Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), creatives Grace Hickey and Hugh Murray have produced ‘Up Armidale Road’, a feature film and a song which they are taking around the country, with their upright piano and hearts full of passion and purpose.

The feature film itself is the culmination of two years of filming and production, covering the journey of a song inspired by the survivors of Nymboida’s firestorm.

Led by songwriter musicians Grace and Hugh, it chronicles their unique collaboration with the recovering community of Nymboida and the musicians of the Clarence Valley Conservatorium.

Heading to Utungun for the performance on Thursday 12 May, Grace told News Of The Area, “We were pointed this way by a friend who recalled the devastation wrought by the Kian Road fire in Yarranbella, South Arm Taylors Arm and Hickey’s Creek just to name a few places…not to mention the volunteer firefighters who pitched in from surrounding areas to help battle the blaze.

“(Council’s) Community Recovery Coordinator Rhiannon Treasure-Brand put us in touch with Anne and the hall committee at Utungun, who offered up their venue.

“We will also be visiting the Taylors Arm Community Hall later in the year.”

Hugh added, “We’ve never rolled the piano to Nambucca Shire before – she’s strapped in, ready to go and we are looking forward to our visit.”

Rhiannon Treasure-Brand, Community Recovery Officer, Nambucca Valley Council told NOTA, “Nambucca Valley Council is supporting the show.

“We were happy to link Hugh and Grace with our local community hall contacts to get the ball rolling and we are providing some funds for catering on the night, as well as support to promote the event/s (another is scheduled for Taylors Arm Hall in September).

“Local author Carrolline Rhodes, who wrote our bushfire book, ‘Eighth November’, which tells the Nambucca Valley’s account of the fires will also be attending and the book will be for sale should anyone wish to pick up a copy.

“Council is pleased ‘Up Armidale Road’ has linked in with our Valley communities to help share our stories in a poignant, and hopefully fun and uplifting, way.”

Free tickets to the event must be registered through www.graceandhugh.com/screeningtour by emailing utungunhall@gmail.com.

Doors open from 6.30pm on Thursday May 12.

Supper is included.

Gold coin donations will go towards the Northern River Flood Relief fund, and there’s a hall fundraising raffle on the night.

Hugh and Grace recently debuted on the main stage at Tamworth Country Music Festival.

For more on these inspired and inspiring creatives visit www.graceandhugh.com.

The Up Armidale Road 2022 Bushfire Recovery Tour is sponsored by the Yulgilbar Foundation and the FRRR.

For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/graceandhughmusic/videos/1593312024372827.

For tickets visit www.eventbrite.com.au/e/up-armidale-road-screening-and-live-music-event-utungun-tickets-326206932717.

 

By Andrea FERRARI