The Voices of Peace concert is an initiative of the four Warrnambool Rotary clubs and the Port Fairy Rotary Club, with the support of the Port Fairy Folk Festival committee.

About 80 per cent of tickets for the Lighthouse Theatre event have sold and concert spokesman  Graham Pennington, from the Warrnambool Central Rotary Club, said the community response had been fantastic.

“The focus of the concert is to promote the concept of peace,” he said.

“Obviously peace is something that Rotary clubs see as a priority and a goal we work towards.

“We’re very excited. We think it’s just wonderful.”

Mr Pennington said one choir would be made up of primary school pupils and another would comprise  Rotarians. Local choir The Resonators will also perform. 

Eric Bogle received a peace medal from the United Nations for promoting peace and racial harmony through his songs and several of his most famous songs tell of the futility or loss of war — the best-known being And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda. 

Aboriginal artist Brett Clarke will perform a Welcome to Country.

Profits from the event are to be donated to a perpetual fund for the Rotary Centres for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.

Mr Pennington said students who complete the post-graduate study go on to work in international relations.

“The money will go to an ongoing project, which is good,” he said.

The concert is on Thursday, March 7, at 7.30pm. For ticket information contact the Lighthouse Theatre on 5559 4885.