Inspire: Compassion, community and collaboration drive Morrison musical celebration

In the three years since Davestock was first held in Albany, Wade Morrison’s epic fundraising fest has become one of the city’s biggest and best-loved charity events. Since 2020, bands including Tre Amici featuring Morrison on vocals and guitar have entertained audiences at the event which grew from a son’s desire to honour his late father and support those who supported him. “I spent a fair bit of time at the hospice with my dad during the final days of his life,” Morrison said. “The ladies there, everybody there does an amazing job and a thankless task. I just felt that I really wanted to give something back because I was really, really impressed with everything that they did — I don’t know how anybody can do a job like that, it takes a very special individual to do what they do.” A talented drummer and much-loved fixture of the Albany music scene, Morrison’s father Dave Morrison received care at the hospice before his death at the age of 67 in July 2020. Out of loss came life and at Retravision Stadium on November 25, Davestock ‘23 raised more than $15,000 for the Albany Community Hospice as it kept the community rocking. A fixture of the Albany music scene himself, Morrison remembers his father’s love of music and the way it shaped his life. “I grew up seeing my dad playing in various bands when I was a young fella growing up,” he said. “I consistently had musicians around the house and so picking up a musical instrument was something that I was always going to do at some stage. “Equally, it was not anything that my parents pushed me into, it was just something that I sort of did, because it was a normalised type thing around our house.” With roots deep in music, life and community, Davestock is a celebration of love that has transcended Albany and the Great Southern. In the lead-up to this year’s event, Morrison undertook a 219km fundraising journey from Manjimup to Albany via Frankland River and Mount Barker on an electric scooter. “I really hate to ask for something for nothing,” Wade said. “Everybody I’ve asked about becoming involved has been like, ‘yeah, of course — what do you need’? “The people at Alchemy Wines in Frankland, they put on an event and also the Mount Barker Bar and Bistro, they put on an event there too. “We got so much support, and the support extends to people buying tickets for the event.” Since 2020, Davestock has raised more than $30,000 for the Albany Community Hospice as Wade and a host of local musicians have brought vibrancy and good times to the people of the port city.