www.tlnews.com.au
News 5
The bells are ringing, the song they’re singing
I
Suzanne said she wanted a way to introduce the bells to the community and found Hepburn U3A was the perfect medium. Members now include Christine Borgeest, Jude Brown, Susan Clabburn, Maureen Corbett, Robyn Lawrence, Claire Lewis, Wendy Rainmaker, Anne Tamblyn, Jan Bragg, Millie Gouldthorpe, Erin Kelly, The group rehearses every Monday afternoon in Stanbridge Hall in Daylesford Sue Walker, Janet Gaden, Jenny Jordan, Denise Purdy and Ruth Mary Love. and it is an absolute pleasure to listen as their hand bells come together. The group is open to men but Suzanne said when they first formed most of the Conductor Suzanne Brimacomb, who brought the hand bells with her when she men had other commitments with other U3A activities. moved to Daylesford 18 months ago, says it’s definitely a team effort. “I really want to put it out there that they are for the community. We have played “Why do we do it? It’s the working together and that sonorous sound that you get at The Convent, Tina is very supportive, and we just want to help people understand which is just so appealing – no pun intended. And the camaraderie…it’s a real buzz.” what they sound like in beautiful and tasteful surrounds.” Suzanne, who for many years was director of music at Trinity College in Kew, And for your chance to hear them, The Daylesford Ring of Bells Group will play bought the bells from the school when she retired in 2014. at The Convent Gallery on Sunday, June 5 at 1.30pm. “I introduced the bells, which are from Pennsylvania, in 1989 to the school and Handbells will start at 1.30pm and the program will be repeated at 2.30pm. it was one of my specialties in teaching the boys. When I was leaving there wasn’t anyone else in the department who would take them over and I asked if I could buy Words: Donna Kelly | Image: Kyle Barnes them. “I moved here a year and a half ago and brought them with me. It is a threeoctave chromatic set, you can get five-octave but they are very big and heavy, and I think three octaves covers enough.”
F YOU look up sonorous, as I did, it means to have a “deep, rich and pleasant sound”. And the Daylesford Ring of Bells Group produces just that.
Young and old
Kinder ready? Death by Soprano
MACEDON Ranges Shire Council has developed IS YOUR child ready for kinder? Parents of children who turn four years old two draft plans to support young and old residents. Council is now seeking feedback on the draft plans – a Municipal Early Years Plan and Positive Ageing Plan – which will guide the way council supports children, families and older residents. The plans are key to supporting a healthy, active and connected community and will identify priorities and actions for council to undertake over the next four years. The Positive Ageing Plan will focus on creating a community in which older people are able to continue to grow and develop, and achieve a sense of purpose and meaning in their lives. The Municipal Early Years Plan intends to create a place where childhood is valued and where each child can thrive, reach their potential and actively participate. Council is accepting feedback until May 20.
before April 30 next year are invited to attend a free information session on assessing their child’s readiness for kindergarten. Presented by Macedon Ranges Shire Council and delivered by Sally Ward from Early Life Foundations, the session will help parents identify the signs of readiness and provide them with useful tips in preparing their child for kinder. The free information session will held at the Family and Children’s Centre in Gisborne on Tuesday, May 31 with places limited. To register call Nikki on 5422 0231 or email nyoung@mrsc.vic.gov.au Meanwhile, council would like to remind parents that enrolments for its three and four-year-old programs across the shire are now open. Details: 5422 0239 or visit mrsc.vic.gov.au/children
ACCORDING to internationally renowned actor, soprano and cabaret artist Isabel Hertaeg, when it comes to opera, all sopranos must die!
Her new show, Death by Soprano, coming to Kyneton Town Hall this Friday, May 13 at 7.30pm uses a mix of humour, slapstick and absurdism to portray the final moments in the lives of operatic heroines. Working her way through classic opera deaths alphabetically, this black comedy - complete with props, fabulous costumes and mighty operatic pipes - is a rollercoaster ride of twists, turns and tragedy catering for the opera lover, the opera-curious and those yet to be converted. Tickets are $42 for adults, $38 for concession card holders, $38 per head for groups more than eight, and $25 for youth. This show is not suitable for children under the age of 15. Tickets: www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/ buytickets or call 1300 888 802.