One awesome night

Erin Pearson
LARA will host one of Australia’s largest music festivals next year, according to organisers.
One Great Night On Earth publicity manager Laura Rega expected up to 100,000 patrons to attend, raising about $14 million for charity.
Ms Rega said the event would feature some of the world’s greatest rock stars of the ‘60s and ‘70s playing at the base of the You Yangs from midday to midnight on November 19.
“Ticket holders will experience 12 hours of back-to-back, acclaimed international artists who haven’t come to Melbourne or Australia either ever or for a very long time,” she said.
“Also, 100 per cent of funds will be donated to environmental charity Fine Green Paddock, which supports regional Australians who’ve suffered the effects of fire, drought and flood.”
Ms Rega said 18 months of hard work on the festival was “starting to pay off”, with organisers preparing to sign rock acts from the United Kingdom and USA.
Project director Lyndel Moore and film and still producer Leah Hallis had reported “a strong amount of interest” from artists about playing at the festival, Ms Rega said.
“We expect the festival will be nothing like anyone’s ever seen before.”
She said “big name” industry professionals including Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson, Global Patriot’s Mark Lovett and Tenacious Records’ Alphonse Mouzon had also expressed interest in supporting the event.
Chip Monchk, who was MC at America’s 1969 Woodstock Festival, had signed on as director, while Australian entertainer Julia Zemiro would be event ambassador.
Ms Rega said organisers were still in talks with land owners to determine a final site. She expected an announcement next month.
Geelong Otway Tourism manager Roger Grant hoped One Great Night On Earth would follow in the environmental footsteps of Lorne’s Falls Festival.
“As long as the event is well-managed it could be a great opportunity, particularly considering it’s in a relatively unpopulated area so there can be the fun and frivolity,” Mr Grant said.
“The You Yangs has become quite the destination.”
Lara Chamber of Commerce president Libby Bate expected “huge” benefits for local business.
“It’s fantastic and, given what people from the air show bring to Lara, this is very welcome news,” she said.