Overseas stars find their voice for local charities

US pop sensation Olivia Rodrigo is the latest high-profile performer to make a large charitable donation down under.

The 21-year-old three-time Grammy Award winner will donate a portion of ticket sales from the Australian leg of her world tour to WESNET, a domestic and family violence charity.

"WESNET provides support and specialist services to women and children experiencing domestic violence and envisions a future where all women and children live free of domestic and family violence and its consequences," the drivers license singer wrote on Instagram.

Rodrigo’s gesture follows that of global superstar Taylor Swift, who made a surprise donation to hunger relief charity Foodbank Victoria, during the Melbourne leg of her worldwide Eras tour in February.

The charity were quick to share its appreciation on its social media channels.

ÖMG Thank You Taylor,"it said on Instagram.

“As if we couldn't love you any more than we already do @taylorswift...

“Your generous donation to Foodbank Victoria will put a sparkle back in the eyes of so many Victorians doing it tough right now! THANK YOU.”

The generosity of Rodrigo and Swift and other stars not only provide crucial support to hard working charities but shines a light on their missions to legions of fans and the general public.

WESNET CEO Karen Bentley said she was delighted Rodrigo had chosen to help an organisation such as hers that assists victims of domestic and family violence.

“It’s amazing. We are really delighted and grateful for the support from Olivia. Any source of funds is really important.”

The donation aligns with Rodrigo’s own charity Fund 4 Good, which supports women’s reproductive rights, girl’s education, and the prevention of gender-based violence across the world.

Swift meanwhile has a long history of donating to not-for-profits, most recently giving more than $7.4 million to hurricane relief efforts in Florida.

Foodbank Victoria said Swifts contribution made an enormous impact.

“Foodbank Victoria was indeed surprised, delighted and incredibly grateful to be a recipient of Taylor Swift’s generosity when she performed her Eras tour concerts in Melbourne this year," a spokesperson said.

“Every contribution we receive through the kindness of supporters like Taylor helps us continue to feed the 65,000 Victorians a day who currently rely on our services.

“With demand at the highest we have seen it in our 93 years of providing food relief, and our regular food donors unable to supply anywhere near enough to help us meet demand, Taylor’s gift could not have come at a better time.”

Giving back to the community by touring overseas artists is nothing new.

Food relief was also a priority for legendary rocker Bruce Springsteen on his most recent tour of Australia in 2017.

‘The Boss’ not only urged fans at his Hanging Rock concert in Victoria to support food relief charity Oz Harvest, he dedicated a song to the organisation.

“OzHarvest is on a mission to eliminate hunger and food waste,” Springsteen told his audience.

“They collect excess food from restaurants and markets and deliver it to charities that serve the hungry, here in your community.

“They are OzHarvest, they are your neighbours, they are your community, if you see them on the way out (of the concert) give them a hand. This songs for them,” said Springsteen, before breaking into a rousing rendition of Born to run.

WESNET’s Bentley said the support of an international celebrity could significantly boost a charity’s profile and awareness of its mission.

“Domestic violence rates are not dropping at all, in fact demand for services is increasing.

“So, I think it is great to potentially have the profile of not only our organisation, but all of our member organisations that are on the frontline delivering specialist domestic and family violence services, increased in this way,” said Bentley.

“It’s also important for people who may be experiencing domestic violence to know that there is help available.”

Bentley said Rodrigo’s generosity was also significant because it emphasised that domestic and family violence organisations are worthy recipients of donations.

“That’s the really valuable recognition. She’s (Rodrigo) actually directing a portion of her ticket sales toward a service that is supporting the survivors of domestic and family violence.”

More information

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Anti-domestic-violence music program hits the right note among young boys