by: Sue Walker
"Service in
Song" has been alive and well both in and out of the
Somerset Region this past week,
firstly on September 26th with the Choir's participation at the Memorial
Dedication Ceremony held at Esk Memorial
Park and two days later, while entertaining the delightful folk at Bundaleer
Lodge Aged Care Facility in North Ipswich.
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| Mayor Graeme Lehmann unveiling the Memorial |
The R.S.L's Charlie
Elwell hosted this emotive ceremony with Mayor Graeme Lehmann having the honour
of the unveiling and Fathers Terrance Hegarty and Ross Cameron bestowing the
blessings. Other distinguished invitees
were a representative from Queensland's Department of Veterans' Affairs as well
as spokespersons from the State Government whose contributions, along with the
hard work by dedicated members of Esk's R.S.L. made possible this grand new
Memorial to the Soldiers of War. Of
particular acknowledgement during speeches was the contributions made by the
volunteer groups of Esk ladies who, during the war years, not only warmed the
spirits of their serving men with letters and parcels, but also their cold and
often muddied feet with oodles of hand knitted socks. Again Alexis, Margaret and the Choir were
privileged to have been invited to provide further poignancy to the occasion
with their singing of hymns.
Then, with songs in
their hearts and voices, Alexis, Margaret and members of the Choir put smiles
on the faces of a capacity audience at Bundaleer Lodge, North Ipswich on Monday
28th. Songs can truly be the language
of many aging lives and with a mix of songs from well known Musicals and some
lilting Irish folk-songs by the Choir, interspersed with beautiful solos and
duets by Choir members, glints of those
sparkles of memory came flooding back.
"Beautiful!!" came the cry from the back of the room after
each and every item...but despite our own Andy's delightful brother being
slightly biased, the enthusiasm was evidenced all over by those who could not
help but join in the singing. It is not
difficult to be moved when gratitude is so tangible, to watch faces light up;
when it is the company of 'friends' and the joy of singing that they crave.
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| Bass and Tenor section of the choir: Roland, Lloyd, Roger, Alan, Catherine, Andy, Bob |
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| Members of the choir at Bundaleer Lodge Ipswich. |
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