Sam Fischer Leads Lineup For Melbourne's Altru Charity Outreach Festival

The free Altru Festival is heading to Melbourne, announcing its “party with a purpose” will be taking place at the Atherton Reserve in Fitzroy on Sunday, March 23rd.

Aimed at revolutionising the way society tackles social inequalities, the Altru Festival blends fun activities with immediate, on-site access to essential services for at-risk youth and families experiencing housing insecurity and financial hardship.

The music side of the event will be headlined by Sam Fischer, Anya Alchemy, David Subritzky, and Taz Zammit, with a surprise international artist also joining the bill. Together, they’ll host a day of not just joy, but support for more than 3,000 Melburnians who need it most.

Altru Festival can be traced back to Director and Co-Founder Jessie McLachlan, who based the event on its Los Angeles sister festival Skid Row Carnival, which services 10,000 at-risk attendees annually.

The event is hosted free of charge for anyone experiencing hardship, with attendees paired with a volunteer to assist in navigating the service tents that offer real-time, on-site access to myriad services, including medical care, welfare services, clothing and more.

First making its Australian debut in Brisbane last yea, the inaugural event saw 1,000 volunteers aid in helping to service over 2,000 at-risk attendees. Altru is planned to take place annual, with events currently scheduled for Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne, with expansion plans for Adelaide and Perth in the works.

As Brisbane-born McLachlan explains, the root of Altru Festival lies in the belief that words only have meaning if they’re actioned – something which was instilled within her from a young age.

“I am responsible for leaving the world better than I found it,” she says. “I fundamentally believe that the consideration of others is the silent architecture of society, and we all have a role – big or small – in making the world a little better. And I believe kindness is only learned once it has been experienced, so let's get giddy on doing good!

“Music is a universal language that brings people together. One of my favourite moments at the end of every outreach festival is seeing our guests, some with a fresh haircut, a new outfit, and sneakers dancing alongside volunteers. It’s euphoric to witness a sea of humans united. When you intentionally put good into the world, the best of humanity always shows up."

If you’re eager to be involved in the Melbourne leg of Altru Festival, you can register now to be a volunteer. Further details are available via the Altru Festival website.