NEWS DESK
Voices in harmony with community THE sound of singing is ringing through halls around the Mornington Peninsula as more people seek social connection through community choirs after years of COVID-related withdrawal. Singing together has long been recognised as a way to facilitate social bonding, but it is also known for improving mental health and happiness. The musical director conductor of new community choir, Vox Peninsula’s Jill Linley, said singing together had many health benefits and gave singers a social outlet some might otherwise not have. “It’s great for the soul, and people get so much joy out of it – plus we perform in the community so there’s a whole community benefit,” she said. Linley said Vox Peninsula began in early 2023 when a group of musicians decided to form a community choir. “The aim was to become a four-part (soprano, alto, tenor and bass - SATB) choir with high standards, singing challenging choral music by classical and modern composers,” she said. A committee was formed, business
matters set in place, a venue arranged, and musical friends contacted, and by May Vox Peninsula began rehearsals in a Mount Eliza hall with about 30 members. Heather Wickes is the resident accompanist and Linley said plans were underway for a series of performances in 2024, beginning with a concert of Classical Choral favourites in May and ending with two special Christmas presentations in November and December. One of the largest community choirs in Australia, Pop Choir, also has a peninsula presence through its singing group in Mornington. It also rehearses across Mordialloc, Oakleigh, and Moorabbin. The choir recently recorded its first single, Windows with Smiles, released on Sunday 22 October to streaming platforms, with the hopes of also raising awareness for the Lighthouse Foundation’s Youth Homelessness mission. Co-founder Darryl Moulton said the Mornington Tuesday groups were the most recent Pop Choir addition and within four weeks of starting last year demand was so high a larger location
had to be found. “We located from a small venue to the Peninsula Community Theatre in order to fit everyone in. Mornington is a tight knit community, and we know people in the area, particularly women, are always looking for interesting things to do. It’s been a really lovely social thing for people in the area to get involved in,” he said. Another community choir, Mornington Peninsula Chorale, is also a SATB choir and was formed in 1979 as the Frankston Continuing Choir, before formally becoming the Mornington Peninsula Chorale in the 1990s. The choir performs with the Frankston Symphony Orchestra and on its own, singing a variety of genres. The chorale has worked alongside the MSO Chorus and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, performing the Messiah in December 2022. To be a member of the chorale, membership of the Frankston Music Society is required, but rehearsals are held in Mount Eliza. For details email: info@ frankstonmusicsociety.org.au Liz Bell
THE Pop Choir, pictured in Baxter, has a strong following across Melbourne. Pictures: Supplied
Police patrol with Brodie Cowburn
Car stolen on Christmas Eve Scooter stopped A MAN has been caught driving an e-scooter at 65kmph while more than double the legal blood alcohol limit in Mentone, police say. Police pulled the man over on Beach Road in Mentone on 3 January. The driver allegedly returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.105. The 32-year-old Highett man will be charged with drink driving, using an unregistered vehicle, and unlicenced riding, police say. In a statement on the Kingston eyewatch Facebook page, Victoria Police said the arrest is “a timely reminder that all users of e-scooters are subject to the state’s drink and drug driving laws.” “Privately owned e-scooters are now permitted to be ridden on any road in Victoria with a speed limit of 60kmph or less, providing the device has a maximum speed capability of 25kmph. The prescribed concentration of alcohol for the rider of a compliant e-scooter is 0.05 regardless of the status or conditions on any motor vehicle licence and irrespective of the age of the rider,” Victoria Police said.
TWO men are wanted over the theft of a car from Mordialloc on Christmas Eve. Police believe that a red 1988 Nissan Pulsar was stolen from Avalon Street at around 7.30pm on 24 December. They say two men arrived at the scene on their bicycles before stealing the car and driving away. The first man wanted by police in connection with the theft is “perceived as Caucasian, with a medium build and believed to be in his late teens to early 20’s”, police said. The second man is “tanned, with a slim build and a moustache and believed to be in his late teens to early twenties.” Images of two men police wish to speak to have been released (below). The car has the number plate 1878H4. Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential report online at www.crimestoppersvic. com.au
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10 January 2024
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