Horsham Country Music’s Pleasant Sunday Afternoon concert was the first performance in the hall’s new 500-seat theatre.

Brisbane singer Kiara Rodrigues headlined the show with Warrnambool performer Trevor Keilar.

The performance was a fundraiser for the Wimmera Cancer Centre.

Music group secretary Lyall Wheaton said the response to the show was incredible, with $17,500 raised.

The show sold out about two weeks ago.

“The whole show went really well and the audience reaction was fantastic,” Mr Wheaton said.

“There is no doubt Kiara stole the show. She started by singing the national anthem.

“We thought it was fitting for that to be the first song in the new theatre.

“Kiara has performed at NRL matches in front of about 30,000 people, and that was obvious when she sang on Sunday.”

Mr Wheaton said he was rapt with the money raised for the cancer centre.

“That figure surprised everyone, including our committee,” he said.

“The operating costs of the day were $3750, and Horsham Country Music reserves absorbed that cost.

“There were 500 people at the show at $22 a ticket, so we raised $11,000 through that.

“We also had $6500 in donations.”

The show ended with Horsham Country Music committee member Max Johns presenting a cheque to Wimmera Cancer Centre project steering committee chairman Richard Goudie.

Mr Wheaton said the group would now turn its attention to the ninth annual Horsham Country Music Festival from March 31 to April 3.

“Kiara will return for that, which is a bonus because she was very well received on Sunday,” he said.

“She will be there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and will also perform at Toys Restaurant in Horsham on the Sunday night.

“We think that will be sold out.”

The town hall will officially open on Friday next week.