April 18, 2016
Thirty-one years of singing is a record few choral groups ever achieve.
But on Saturday morning, members of Sing Australia Kingaroy were out to entertain shoppers at Kingaroy Shoppingworld and let them know that nationwide, this week the group is celebrating more than three decades of bringing Australians together in song.
And in the South Burnett, the local branch is celebrating its seventh birthday, too.
On Saturday morning members entertained passers-by with a medley of enduring pop classics including “Love Is In The Air”, “Summer Holiday”, “A World Of Our Own” and “Under The Boardwalk”.
The birthday concert bought smiles to many shoppers’ faces, with some stopping to watch and sing along.
Sing Australia was founded on April 12, 1985 on the simple premise that everyone can sing, and the group makes no judgement on how well that happens.
Its founder, Colin Slater, OAM, is credited with setting up more than 150 choirs across the nation catering for more than 5000 participants, and the group’s patrons are Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove, AK MC (Retd); Ita Buttrose, AO OBE; Athol Guy, AO; and James Morrison, AM.
“Sing Australia is inclusive and welcoming of everyone,” South Burnett co-leader Sharron Coughlan said.
“It’s about making happy connections with people from all walks of life within groups and through performances.”
Sing Australia Kingaroy gets together each week to enjoy the fun and fellowship of singing together.
Everyone is welcome to join, there are no auditions and members don’t have to be able to read music, either.
It’s simply about enjoying communal singing … a pastime as old as humanity itself.
The group meets on Monday nights from 7:00pm to 9:00pm at the Uniting Church Hall in Alford Street, Kingaroy (except public and school holidays) and is always looking for new members.
The group also gives performances at local nursing homes and to support other community events.
The next of these will be an Anzac Concert at Orana on Friday, April 29.
Sharron said the Kingaroy branch currently has 25 members, and most meetings attract between 6 and 18 for a two hour meeting and tea break.
“Attendance at meetings is not compulsory. Members come when they want to and if another engagement pulls them away, we all understand,” she said.
“It’s all about getting together, singing and having fun.”
If you’re interested in joining or finding out more, ring Sharron on (07) 4163-2291 or 0431-816-071.
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