Charity Presentation
28 May 2009
Australia’s recent experiences with bushfire and flood have provided the crew of Ballarat with a strong appreciation of the devastation a natural disaster can cause and the havoc it creates for locals caught up in the disaster.
The port city of Civitavecchia, the location of HMAS Ballarat’s first European stop for Northern Trident 2009 (NT09), is only 2 hours drive from the mediaeval city of L’Aquila. L’Aquila is the capital city of the Abruzzo region which on 6 April 2009 was rocked by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake.
Over 1,000 people were injured and 297 people were killed in Italy’s deadliest earthquake since 1980. Another 66,000 people were left homeless, while those whose homes had survived faced total disruption to their daily lives.
Recent fundraising by the ship’s company had provided a significant increase in the ship’s welfare fund and the Officers and Sailors of Ballarat were keen to do what they could to assist and to also show their appreciation for the warm welcome they enjoyed during their Italian stay.
On advice from Australian Embassy staff, members of the Orchestra Barocca Marco Da C’Aquica were invited by the Commanding Officer to attend the Ballarat Cocktail Party to receive a $1000 cheque from the ship’s Welfare Fund.
A youth orchestra based in L’Aquila, Orchestra Barocca Marco Da C’Aquica had all their instruments either destroyed or damaged beyond repair by the earthquake. Before the disaster the Orchestra was well respected within the region for their skills in playing Baroque music by artists such as Bach, Vivaldi and Handel. They had received recognition for their skills at the national level, however since the disaster, it has proved a struggle to play any music at all with the Orchestra members having to borrow instruments to conduct fundraising concerts in Rome.
“We wanted our funds to have a measurable effect for the people of the region. To assist their youth in once again making the wonderful music they are known for is a beautiful thing.” Said Able Seaman Steward Kirri-Lee Brazendale who was one of ship’s company to present the commemorative plaque and cheque to the Orchestra members.
