A "Jazz, Folk Frolic" held in the Brisbane bayside suburb of Lota on May 1 attracted more than 100 people for an afternoon of politics and music. Organised by the Left Arts Group to raise money for Green Left Weekly, the event took place under a canopy of trees in the backyard of Nancy and Geoff Wills, long-time activists in the communist movement in Australia.
Ana Kailis writes that the audience was treated to an afternoon of folk and jazz by Sergeant Peppers, Ron Butler, Sally Henderson and Griff Bignall, and Tangled Webb.
The gathering also heard greetings from Green Left Weekly sponsor and former senator George Georges and Green Left correspondent and member of the Democratic Socialist Party Susan Price.
Georges told the crowd that as an independent newspaper free of commercial sponsorship, it is a credit to its staff and supporters that Green Left has survived.
Georges also highlighted the important role Green Left can play internationally: "With the momentous changes that have happened in South Africa, we need a great welling of support for the new democracy. It is important to have Green Left to express this support."
Price told the gathering that Green Left Weekly was set up three years ago to provide a framework for dialogue between left and environmental activists as well as to cover issues not addressed in the establishment media.
"Green Left provides an important voice for the otherwise voiceless. Each week, its pages are filled with discussion and debate about issues of social justice and the environment."
Organiser Nancy Wills described the event as a great success. "The Left Arts Group has been organising similar events to raise money for various causes for 50 years", she said, "and I hope this will continue".
Over $150 was raised through donations for the Green Left Weekly fund appeal, and several people took out subscriptions and expressed interest in supporting Green Left in the future.
Green Left Weekly thanks all those who attended and especially thanks the Left Arts Group and Geoff and Nancy. Green Left Weekly — it's your paper.