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.
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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."
Being part of a larger organisation offers the opportunity to meet other groups at the annual national gathering or to travel overseas.
"Members of our group have toured England, Ireland and Scotland and in 2010 and 2011, some of our members were in the choir who sung at the dawn service at Gallipoli and at Lone Pine.
"With only a few days' notice, we had to learn the Turkish National Anthem for the service and we had to practise and practise before we finally got the nod from our guide who was checking we were pronouncing everything right."
"When we were at Lone Pine in 2010, we met (then) Governor–General Quentin Bryce," Doug added.
"When I was there in 2011, Warren Snowdon, (then) Minister of Veterans' Affairs, heard that a choir from Australia was there and he came up to my wife Dawn and me and asked us where we were from.
"When we told him Wangaratta, he said he was too – he's related to Doc Snowdon and he asked after an old friend that we knew as well."
"The trips overseas were sponsored by the Australian government and they arranged everything," Doug said.
"We spent three weeks in Turkey and sung in some absolutely fantastic places.
"The only place we weren't allowed to sing was in these 100 foot high limestone caves where people live.
"There was one section that had been carved out as a church and the echoes were great so we said, we just have to sing in here.
"We got about three words out before a guard came and chucked us out – they didn't want the echoes to destroy the stone," Doug laughed.
Songs are prepared from songbooks provided by Sing Australia and practises take place under conductor Sarah–Ann Holmes–Brown and pianist Doug McGregor.
Sarah has always had an interest in music and choirs and completed a Bachelor of Arts with a major in music.
"When I moved back to Wangaratta, my mum dragged me along to Sing Australia and when they lost their conductor, Keith gave me a ring and asked if I would come and conduct – I have been in the role for seven years now and I love it," Sarah said.
Doug McGregor has played in many community bands including jazz, dance, brass and concert bands alongside a 30 year music teaching career.
"I have been playing piano for Sing Australia for around 10 years because I am able to share the wonderful thing called 'music' with them," he said.
"They sing enthusiastically from the first song of the evening to the last, which I find inspiring."
"I love that I've spent seven years working with such an experienced band master," Sarah said.
"I've been able to grow my musical knowledge in terms of how to teach people about music which is thanks to Doug.
"I've arranged pieces for performances by the Wangaratta Concert Band and Sing Australia.
"The repertoire is quite large and covers lots of different genres so there really is something for everyone.
"There's no pressure on you being the world's best soprano or tenor or bass, you can just come and sing for the pure joy of singing.
Sing Australia meets at Purbrick Hall at the Cathedral in Docker Street each Wednesday evening from 7.30pm until 9pm.
"Singing starts at 7.30pm, but people are often there from 7pm for a chinwag," Keith said.
"We have plenty of room for new members, so contact myself, Marlene or Cheryl or just turn up on the night – you'll be warmly welcomed."
For more information call Marlene 0417 454 126, Cheryl 0419 005 062 or Keith 0491 114 480.
