Singer-songwriter Sophie Payten, professionally known as Gordi, has seen firsthand the bravery of volunteer firefighters and wanted to do her bit to help those currently battling the Australian bushfires
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Originally from the central west, Sophie grew up on her family's property in Canowindra, where her parents still currently live.
Sophie's family have a Rural Fire Service truck in their shed and she has strong memories of her father being called out to help fight fires on neighbouring properties.
"That's the reality of the situation, so many people fighting the fires are often people who live in the area, or are local farmers and suddenly they're called up to defend the land in this way," she said.
Seeing the amazing work being done to help raise funds, Sophie decided to release her song, titled The Cost, where people can pay as little or as much as they want, with all proceeds going to the Rural Fire Service.
Sophie wrote the song a few years ago, but never released it.
After speaking with her manager they came up with the idea that it could help raise funds for the firefighters.
"We thought it was going to contribute more than something that on my merch store would and I think it also allowed us to direct the focus to what's happening," Sophie explained.
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The song is available for purchase on the website Band Camp and while people can buy it from as little as a dollar, Sophie said there have been donations as large as $100.
"It's very much give what you can," she said.
She said it has been amazing to see people everywhere, including many of her friends and colleagues in the music industry, contributing to help raise funds, volunteer or donate profits.
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"A lot of my other friends in the music industry are donating their profits from merchandise (sales) or there are a lot of upcoming shows and festivals coming together to provide relief...I think there's a really beautiful attitude of anything you can contribute or give, we all need to chip in," she explained.
"It's a lovely thing to watch in such tragic circumstances, that people really care about doing their bit."
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Sophie has lived through many droughts throughout her time in Canowindra, but said the ongoing dry conditions was something that is affecting everywhere.
"It's so dry and desperate. My parents are feeding their stock and virtually got no crop off last year," she said.
"There's no water in the river to irrigate so it's all pretty dire."
If you would like to find out more information please visit www.gordimusic.com