By Michael Traill
Jakeb Stevenson during interview with ‘The Bounce’
From aiding famine relief in third world countries to providing support to indigenous kids in Australia’s outback, Oxjam WA has hit all the right chords.
A musician at an Oxjam WA event
By bringing together local musicians and fans with iconic venues such as Mojos in North Fremantle, Oxjam has raised $10,000 for Oxfam Australia from three events in the past 12 months.
“We get bands who we know are into these kinds of things, doing something for a good cause. They’re giving up their time to perform for us which I think is really appreciated by everyone,” said Jakeb Stevenson, the founder and manager of Oxjam WA.
“In return, the bands can expect to have a good time, always a few free drinks over the bar and of course the publicity from taking part in the events.”
Oxjam’s events have featured some of the finest acts Perth has to offer including Marlinspike, Moana and Chris Young from POW! Negro, who performed at Perth’s 2017 Sate of the Art Festival at Elizabeth Quay.
Oxfam’s mission is to “help creates lasting solutions to the injustice of poverty, empower people to create a future that is secure, just, and free from poverty”.
Every participant at Oxjam WA’s events contributes to Oxfam’s mission.
“It (the money raised) does mainly go towards fighting poverty in third world countries, but we also do a lot of work with Indigenous Australians,” Mr Stevenson said.
Oxjam WA’s next event will be held in conjunction with ANTaR, a national advocacy organisation dedicated to the rights, and overcoming the disadvantages faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
‘WATCH Listen YARN’ will be held on October 26 at Clancy’s fish pub in Fremantle.
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