Nine’s Hay Mate: Buy a Bale concert, a star-studded event to support Australia’s drought-stricken farmers, has raised over $2 million.

Sonia Kruger, David Campbell and Richard Wilkins tonight announced the final tally for the fundraiser – with the proceeds going to Rural Aid – to a rapturous crowd at Scully Park in Tamworth, the venue for the concert broadcast. 

The legendary John Farnham brought the house down with his hit You’re the Voice as well as an encore performance of Long Way to the Top with Daryl Braithwaite, Andrew Farris, Guy Sebastian, Jon Stevens and The Veronicas. 

Nine’s Head of Content, Production and Development, Adrian Swift, said: “In an overwhelming show of support, Australians have dug deep for our struggling farmers and shown them what their hard work and resilience means to the nation. No doubt these funds will provide some much-needed relief to those suffering hard times. I’d also like to say a big thank you to Glenn Wheatley and John Farnham for their passion and leadership in pulling this great line up together and for showing rural Australia just how much we care.” 

Nine’s Entertainment Editor, Richard Wilkins said: “It’s been an incredible night. The performances were fantastic and I am utterly amazed at Australia’s generosity. I hope our farmers doing it tough feel the support and can breathe a little easier tonight knowing Australia is backing them.” 

The entertainment industry united behind this great cause on Saturday night in a concert that opened with Andrew Farris and Jon Stevens performing the INXS classics What You Need and Never Tear Us Apart. Daryl Braithwaite had the crowd singing in unison to his cult classic The Horses, and Guy Sebastian performed four of his hits including Like It Like That, Before I Go, Bloodstone and Battle Scars. Queensland’s singing sensations, The Veronicas, took to the stage and performed Untouched and Hook Me Up. 

“I speak on behalf of our farmers and say a huge thank you. And to the generous team at Nine, thank you for broadcasting into homes across Australia. It has been an amazing ride and I look forward to seeing the smiling faces of those families and farmers who have benefited from tonight’s efforts. It’s all been worth it,” said the event curator, Glenn Wheatley.  

“This event would not have been possible without the generous support of the sponsors, Qantas, Woolworths, Toyota, News Corp Australia and Optus, to do something special to improve the plight of our farmers.” 

Viewers also saw performances by Adam Harvey and Nat Conway, and had the chance to speak to their favourite stars when calling through to the celebrity phone bank to make their donations 

For further information please contact:  
Nine Publicity

Saturday, 27 October, 2018