June 24, 2015
The South Burnett played host to a unique Australian on Saturday.
Colin Slater, OAM, the founder of Sing Australia and the only Australian credited with setting up more than 150 choirs across the nation catering for more than 5000 participants, travelled from his home in Melbourne to Kingaroy’s Uniting Church Hall to conduct a Regional Gathering Workshop.
The South Burnett branch of Sing Australia was the regional workshop’s host, and 19 local members were joined by 44 visitors who came from as far afield as Gracemere, Biloela, Bundaberg, the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
The 63 singers spent “an absolutely wonderful afternoon” singing a wide variety of songs including Consider Yourself, I Dreamed A Dream, Hallelujah, Summer Holiday and Love Is In The Air, interspersed with lots of laughter.
Colin reminded the singers that they belonged to important group, and the singing they were doing was becoming ever more important in modern life.
He said a recent government study had found that loneliness was becoming as much of a health problem in modern Australia as smoking and high blood pressure.
But singing is good for you, he said.
It’s uplifting for the singers, as well as those who listen to it.
“It makes you feel like you can press on with things if your situation is a bit tough,” he said.
Sharron Coughlan, the co-leader of the South Burnett branch of Sing Australia, said the most important aspect of the group was socialising.
“That includes the welcoming atmosphere of Sing Australia groups when new people join,” Sharron said.
“We want to help people feel comforted and valued so they can embrace new friendships.”
The group’s second agenda was the health benefits that came from singing, and the third was music.
“We don’t perform for critiques, we perform to have fun,” Sharron said.
“We’re aware that we are all a life in progress, and we simply aim to put a bit of joy out there.”
The Regional Gathering Workshop ran for two hours, and concluded with an afternoon tea.
- The South Burnett branch of Sing Australia meets at the Uniting Church Hall opposite Kingaroy Shoppingworld every Monday night between 7:00pm and 9:00pm during school terms. You can obtain more information by phoning Sharron on (07) 4163-2291 or 0431-816-071.
