Record crowds for Premier’s Christmas concerts

9 December 2008

More than 30,000 seniors from around New South Wales are expected to attend the Premier’s Christmas concerts at the Sydney Entertainment Centre being held today and tomorrow.

Premier Nathan Rees addressed the first concert held today and will address the two concerts being held tomorrow.

Mr Rees said the free concerts were a thank you to seniors for the valuable contributions they make to their local communities everyday.

“These people are fantastic role models for us all,” Mr Rees said.

“The concerts are a small token of our appreciation for our seniors who have given so much to their local community.

“They make a huge contribution through unpaid work and it is important that we take the time to say thank you.

“They provide a range of community services, including acting as carers for relatives, friends or others with a disability.

“The concerts are in their twenty seventh year and the free tickets are snapped up within a couple of hours of becoming available.”

The theme of this year's concerts is a fun filled family Christmas road trip and features popular Australian talent including:

• Helen Dallimore;
• David Harris;
• Juan Jackson;
• Ben Lewis;
• Fiona O'Loughlin;
• Melinda Schneider; and
• Ursula Yovich

Seniors Card volunteer Marie Hill from Botany said the concerts were a special way to celebrate just before Christmas.

I know a lot of seniors who go along and really enjoy it,” she said.

The Premier’s Christmas concerts are funded by the NSW Government.

 Watch video from the Premier's Gala Concert held in December 2008