August 10 - 16, 2022
Singing for joy, not perfection
◆ JOYFUL GROUP: Sing Australia Wangaratta members love the social aspect as well as sharing a love of music. PHOTO: Belinda Harrison
By BELINDA HARRISON
THE birth of Sing Australia in Wangaratta came about when Sing Australia founder Colin Slater OAM attended a church service and Keith Martin heard him singing. After the service, Keith approached Colin, who was ‘scoping the area out’ to decide if he wanted to move here, and Colin told him about Sing Australia and how to form a local group. Keith took the knowledge along to the next Lions Club meeting and said ‘we need men, how about a few of you blokes come along?’ Keith Fleet, Doug Kneen, Fabian Burder,
Ron Stafford and Graeme Whitehead all decided to take up Keith’s offer. “I’m still there now - I’m a sucker for it - no, I do really enjoy it,” Keith (Fleet) said. The nucleus of the group was formed with seven original members in Keith Fleet, Ron Stafford, Marlene O’Keefe, Marion Nash, Carmel Ellis, Ann Jones, Janet Martin and Debbie Rosicka still attending. The first get-together of Sing Australia Wangaratta took place in February 2009 at the Wangaratta High School with 20 people. “Singing has many advantages - it helps the body through breathing, helps the soul
and creates friendships,” Keith said. “We enjoy social gatherings and taking our music into the community when we sing on Australia Day, at nursing homes or for the Carols. “We busk in Reid Street and have the opportunity to get together with other Sing Australia groups from around the country. “I always say that if you can talk, you can sing, and other members can cover you up,” Keith laughed. “There are very few people who can’t sing,” former member, Doug Kneen, added. “It’s not about perfect pitch and perfect
quality, it’s about those other things too - the friendships and social aspects. “Over the years, a number of people have joined who have been recently bereaved or who have gone through a separation or divorce and they have used the group as a social re-awakening. “They may not stay, but they come along for a while, sing and start to feel better so it’s a good therapy for people as well. “It’s fun if you like singing, but there are so many other aspects and benefits to it as well.”
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