Graeme Pereira spent his life playing music in bands, so there couldn’t be a better way to celebrate him and raise money for research on the disease that took his life than a gig.
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Graeme, who grew up in Wingham and last lived at Strathcedar, was diagnosed with sarcoma, a form of soft-tissue and bone cancer, on August 26, 2016. Two months after diagnosis, Graeme lost his life to the cancer, leaving behind wife Alita, and children Syvonne, Brianna and Tegan.
Syvonne and Brianna are Alita’s children from a former marriage, but Graeme considered them every bit his own children as Tegan was.
It was a devastating loss for the family, particularly as Syvonne and Brianne lost their biological father in an accident.
Alita remembers clearly the day that Graeme was diagnosed – it was Daffodil Day, and the significance wasn’t lost on her.
It was like a blur. Everything happened so fast.
- Alita Pereira
“Over the next couple of weeks from that day onward, he deteriorated quickly,” Alita said.
“It was like a blur. Everything was happening so fast.”
The Gig for Graeme takes place this Saturday night at Club Old Bar, with old band mates and musician friends banding together to provide the musical entertainment. Taree band, Lightguns, who didn’t know Graeme, will also be giving of their time and musicianship freely for the night.
A big draw card for the fundraiser will be well-known comedian Andy Saunders who will be taking a spot on the stage for a 30 minute set.
Entry is $10 a head, and there will be plenty of prizes, raffles and giveaways that have been donated by local businesses, as well as a two-night stay for four people in Newcastle and five $200 Red Balloon vouchers.
Gig for Graeme is at Club Old Bar on Saturday, November 11 starting 6pm.
All money raised will go to the Australasian Sarcoma Study Group.