Concert to raise funds for Nepal

Wollongong HSC students will perform at the next Classics in the Chapel concert this Sunday to raise funds to rebuild schools in earthquake-ravaged Nepal.

The concert, in Austinmer Village Chapel at 2pm on August 9, will feature talented young Illawarra musicians as they prepare for their HSC exams in a few weeks' time.

The chapel will resonate to the beautiful sounds of Rachmaninoff, Brahms and Satie.

The students are from Bulli High School, Wollongong High School, Holy Spirit College and Smiths Hill. They include Joy Lu on violin, Gianna Cheung (flute); Sako Dermenjian (guitar); Nicolas Serray (guitar); Liam Merino (guitar) and Felix Smith (piano). There will also be two students singing.

Berkeley resident Pawan Bhatta, who migrated to Australia from Nepal in 1989, will talk about the effects of the recent earthquake in Nepal and the fundraising work he and his wife Manju are doing to rebuild schools in Mrs Bhatta's hometown of Gorkha, the epicentre of the quake.

Concert organiser Val Poddubecki said she decided to involve HSC students to encourage their education and that of students in Nepal.

"The minister Roselin Fisher thought it was a great cause," Mrs Poddubecki said.

"We thought it would be a wonderful opportunity to try and help."

Mrs Poddubecki said the concert would also give the students experience in performing works in public ahead of their HSC exams.

"Felix Smith, who is my student, will play Rachmaninoff, which is fiendishly difficult."

Tickets cost $20/$15/$10 and can be bought at the door. Afternoon tea will be provided.

The church is in 48 Moore Street, Austinmer.

Information: 0413 446 518