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Bring in the New Year for a "Berry" good cause |
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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 16 December 2005 |
Organisers
of a benefit concert for Michael Berry have arranged for renowned
performer Helen Noonan to entertain the audience. Helen is a very
well-known professional and she is flying up and will donate her
performance for the concert ... what a generous act, organizer Wendy
Phipps said.
| | renowned
performer Helen Noonan |
This concert follows the sad news last month that surgery was required to amputate both of Drum columnist Michael Berry's legs below the knees.
The amputations were the result of a serious flare-up of Michael's rare condition known as rheumatoid vasculitis.
The organisers, with Michael?s permission, are paying tribute to his unflagging sense of humour by naming the event Legless in Maleny on New Year's Eve.
"December 31 is set to be a show stopper with an amazing night in store for new year revellers," Wendy said.
"The benefit concert aims to raise money for Michael to give him a brand new set of pins.
It will be a night of cabaret, comedy and fabulous disco music and divine food."
Helen Noonan will sing songs from Dietrich to the Beatles. Wendy said Helen was a sensational quick change artist who could switch from dramatic diva to lyric torch singer to wicked satirist at the drop of a hat.
"She has performed in everything from opera to music hall and is a wellknown recording artist in Australia and overseas," Wendy said.
"A disc-jockey will get everyone onto the floor and into the new year. Fabulous food is being prepared by well known caterer Chrissie Henderson and her team of volunteers. "And if that wasn't enough there will be an auction with some fabulous prizes to whet people's appetites as well." So get a table together with friends or join up with the friendly natives.
Wendy said in keeping with the night's leg theme, people were encouraged to dress the part. "So wear tights, tartans, high heels, boots, - three legs even - to join in the fun on the night," she said.
| Wendy Neugent & Michael's wife, Faith are all set for New Year's Eve
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As usual there is a cast of thousands who are generously contributing to the event: Maleny IGA, Tanunda Cellars Bottle Shop; Michael Katsaris from the Big Barrel, The Eyrie Escape, and Gypsy Rose Restaurant.
Other generous donors are The Community Centre, The Maleny Garden Club The "Legless in Maleny" New Year's Eve Benefit Concert for Michael Berry is on Saturday December 31 from 8pm to 1am at Maleny Community Centre, Maple Street, Maleny. Cost is $35 per ticket.
Price includes one complementary drink, food and entertainment.
Tickets can be purchased from either Top Notch Business Services on 5494 3677 (please note theit new location at Banksia House) or from The Bower Bird, Maple Street, Maleny 54943277.
After Concert Update
The Michael Berry Benefit
It was great to catch up on the phone with Michael Berry this week. He was in terrific spirits. And he was determined to beat the odds and get back on his feet sooner than average.
To that end his wife Faith says he was recently spending three hours a day, thrice the recommended time, in rehabilitative exercises at hospital.
His spirits have been buoyed greatly by the community. The New Years Eve Benefit Concert was a spontaneous act - the culmination of the profound respect and admiration this community has for a man who speaks his mind and speaks for so many in the community.
Many people have commented that Michael has a profound ability to succinctly communicate in black and white exactly what they are thinking about issues.
Michael says he hopes to be up and about soon on his two new prosthetic legs. "You will be able to see me go "A over" in Maple Street!" he joked.
Bearing in mind the sometimes controversial nature of his job, I said that a lot of people would probably like to see that.
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 03 September 2006 )
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Range News 2005 - ON 
