The church needs $25,000 to repair deteriorating wooden shingles and a public fundraising appeal launched last month has now topped $15,000 thanks to the $3275 collected on Sunday.

Appeal co-ordinator and concert organiser Mary Mathews was delighted with the response.

"The church was packed to the rafters with chairs placed in the aisles to accommodate eager concert-goers,'' she said.

"Dubbo is such a generous community - I thank the people who attended our special event and the performers who made the afternoon such a success.''

Entertainers included Sydney opera singer Tina Harris, Dubbo tenor Chris Bedding, Palmer Street Singers, Dubbo City Choristers, Mudgee Bell Ringers, folk singers, a barbershop quartet, vocalist Julia Manton, poetry from Lucy Samuels and piano and clarinet solos from Corey Sutton.

"Robert Tarry was an admirable master of ceremonies and pianist Raelene Burn was kept busy accompanying various artists,'' Mrs Mathews said. "At the end of the concert lyric sheets were handed around in the audience and a church full of magnificent voices belted out a closing hymn.

"St Andrew's is important to a great many people in the Dubbo community and a number of cheques have been received along with warm letters detailing family connections with the church.''

heather.crosby@

ruralpress.com