Axle home for hall gig

Warrnambool Standard April 30th, 2009 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard  2009.  All rights reserved

 By TINA LlPTA

PROVING you can't take the country out of the boy, Woolsthorpe's Axle Whitehead might be making it big in Sydney but says his heart is still at home. "I've really come here to work but the lifestyle I like is in western Victoria and any chance to get back is great," the newly-crowned Cleo Bachelor of the Year said. "I have a big photo of the farm sitting on my TV here, it's great to have that to look at to remind me." Whitehead will be heading back to the region next week for a live acoustic perform­ance in Dunkeld, as part of a fund-raiser for the town's new community hall. "I'm looking forward to getting down there," he said. "A dear friend of mine came up with the concept and there is a great committee of local people work­ing their butts off for this and I'm really happy to be involved. "It's had really great sup­port from everyone, so it's all coming together really well. "I hope people can come along, it's for a great cause." The Dunkeld community Hall redevelopment requires a community fund-raising effort of$300,000 before the project, which includes medical and child-care facilities and a business and meeting centre can start. While his new acting role on Home & Away is taking up most of his time, the former Hamilton College student said he always enjoyed com­ing home. "I try and do it about four or five times a year, living in Sydney can drain the soul a bit," he said. "I'll bring the guitar home and sit on the veranda with a stubbie for sure, it's a great way to spend your time." Though he spends a lot of his time away, Whitehead confessed he hasn't forgotten the fine ladies of the south­west and while he enjoyed the novelty cheque and tro­phy that came with his bachelor of the year title, he was now hoping to find love." I might have to go looking in the country, there might be some lady in the south-west for sure," he said. "Good country values are the best." Whitehead will perform acoustic tunes from his debut album Losing Sleep for an intimate crowd of 300 at the Mt Sturgeon Woolshed, Dunkeld, on Saturday, May 2. The night will also include Hamilton favourite Phil Holmes and DJ Brendan from Dunkeld. Tickets for the event are available from Arcadia Records in Hamilton and the Dunkeld Newsagency. All of the proceeds from the benefit gig will be donated to the Dunkeld Community Hall redevelopment.