Charities benefit from Navrang festival in Balcatta

Northern suburbs band Sweet Melodies kicked off its fourth annual Navrang festival at the Vasto Club on October 16.

About 600 people attended the event, including Chris Brennan-Jones from the Ear Science Institute, which is one of two charities that will receive donations from the band through this year’s event.

The audiologist said he did a lot of work in the Pilbara region, where more than 70 per cent of children had chronic ear problems that affected their school performance and employment prospects. A second event, on October 18, included an educational parade of children dressed up.

Two more events are scheduled.

Part proceeds from the 2015 festival will go to the Multiple Sclerosis Society of WA.