Music News - Charity auction raises $190,000 for music therapy centre
03 November 2005 - 0 Comments
Some classic pieces of music memorabilia helped raise $190,033 at a charity auction in Auckland on November 2 for New Zealand’s sole music therapy centre.
It is the second year New Zealand musicians and friends have come together in support of the centre Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust. The trust operates the country’s only dedicated music therapy centre catering for special needs children.
Last year’s auction raised more than $120,000 which the trust used to help move into new and bigger premises and enlist a much-needed second music therapist.
The most popular item at this year’s event was a surfboard autographed by Beach Boy, Brian Wilson which went under the hammer for $23,000.
Other popular items with bidders were:
- a U2 signed set list from the group’s 2004 Barcelona show for $7,500;
- a CanWest Media package for $20,000;
- lyrics to Don’t Dream It’s Over, Weather With You and I Got You handwritten and signed by Neil Finn for $15,000;
- a PRS official guitar signed by Carlos Santana for $10,500;
- a Gibson guitar signed by George Thorogood for $9,000; and,
- lyrics to Dave Dobbyn’s Kiwi classic ‘Welcome Home’ with photos from Dave’s private collection for $5,000.
The New Zealand Music Industry Commission also presented an $8,000 cheque to the Raukatauri Music Therapy Trust from the proceeds of the Official NZ Music Month 2005 T-Shirts sold in May.
Hosted by actors Danielle Cormack and Oliver Driver, the event featured outstanding live performances by an interesting mix of the country’s leading musicians.
Chris Knox and Boh Runga performed together while other duos to feature were Breaks Co-op with Goodshirt and Anika Moa with Shayne Carter.
The evening's highlight was the debut of Dave Dobbyn’s new song Landslide. Dave Dobbyn performed the song with Andy Lovegrove from Breaks Co-Op who also co-wrote the song.
A special request from a guest late in the evening for Greg Johnson to perform earned the charity a bonus $2,000.
The funds raised will be applied to ensure the ongoing running and development of the trust’s Newton centre.
Co-founder and entertainer Hinewehi Mohi says she is overwhelmed by the generosity of everyone involved.
“Again, Kiwis have shown amazing generosity in supporting the centre,” Ms Mohi says. “We have a lot to be grateful for – the wonderful synergy between the music industry and music therapy shows just how powerful music is in bringing people together.”
Ms Mohi says she salutes not only the people who donated valued memorabilia of all kinds but also those who bought at the auction and the many others who donated time and services to ensure a successful event.
About The Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre
The centre provides music therapy for special needs children of school age and younger. It is New Zealand’s first music therapy centre.
The idea grew from a Kiwi family’s experience of music therapy in the UK and, subsequently, the realisation there was a need to provide a similar service here.
Singer and songwriter Hinewehi Mohi, her husband George and daughter Hineraukatauri spent time at the Nordoff Robbins Music Therapy Centre in London in 1999.
Hineraukatauri has severe cerebral palsy. It was soon evident that therapy through music struck a chord for her. For the first time in her life, she had an opportunity to participate in and control an activity and to actually create something. Most important for Hineraukatauri, music became a means to communicate.
Upon its return to New Zealand, the family determined to establish a music therapy Centre here. The dream was realised with the opening in early 2004 of the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre (RMTC) in Sandringham, Auckland. In early 2005 the centre moved to its current premises in the Auckland inner suburb of Newton.
Currently there are two full time, qualified music therapists and an assortment of musical instruments. These include a piano, snare drums, splash cymbals, crash cymbals, wind chimes, xylophones, tambourines, loads of drumsticks and mallets and much more!
The work at the centre focuses primarily on children. However, the aim is to ultimately provide therapy for all age groups within the wider community.
For further information on the Raukatauri Music Therapy Centre please go to www.rmtc.org.nz
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