June 12, 2017
Colin Slater, the founder of the nation-wide Sing Australia network of community singing groups, paid a flying visit to Kingaroy last Thursday night to catch up with the South Burnett branch.
About twenty people braved the chilly night air to attend a workshop at Kingaroy’s Uniting Church Hall, including South Burnett Mayor Keith Campbell, his wife Marion, and Communities chair Cr Danita Potter.
Colin, who moved from Canberra to Melbourne so he could get connecting flights for his regular trips around Australia more easily than he could in the national capital, joked that Queensland’s reputation as the Sunshine State seemed to be a little overblown, given that overnight temperatures were predicted to fall below zero.
But he said he was glad to be in the South Burnett all the same.
Colin founded Sing Australia more than 30 years ago and the group now has 125 branches spread all over the country, along with more than 4,500 active members.
Colin said the group’s head office is a private company which pays for most of the organisation’s running costs through annual membership fees.
It also raises a small amount of income by supplying promotional material, uniforms and songbooks to Sing Australia members at close to cost.
For the past eight years, the group has also received support from the Federal Government through the Department Of Social Services.
This is because of the role the group plays in forming inclusive, social networks that can help build friendships and effectively tackle loneliness and social isolation in the community.
In honour of the night’s special guests, the Mayor, his wife and Cr Potter were each given the opportunity to request a song which everyone joined in singing, accompanied by Marion Otto on piano.
The evening also had plenty of laughs.
Colin spoke about the voice being a natural instrument that people have with them at all times, as well as the physical and mental health benefits of singing.
Some of the many songs that were sung included Consider Yourself, Imagine, I Dreamed A Dream, Love Is In The Air and The Rose.
Afterwards, branch members and guests mingled and chatted over a late supper.
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The South Burnett branch of Sing Australia 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.
Spokesperson Sharron Coughlan said the branch currently has 25 members, and most meetings attract between 6 and 18 for a two hour meeting followed by a 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, phone Sharron on 0431-816-071.
