Esk Community Choir - What's New?: AUSTRALIA DAY 2023 - AN OPEN DOOR TO ALL COMERS IN ESK

Monday, January 30, 2023

AUSTRALIA DAY 2023 - AN OPEN DOOR TO ALL COMERS IN ESK

Margaret Philp

Another Australia Day has come and gone and evidenced by the sea of citizens sitting in and out of the Somerset Civic Centre in Esk on this day, despite the controversy this date on the Australian calendar tends to give rise to, there were still many who were happy to be celebrating their national identity.

For the cluster of choristers from the Esk Community Choir who had gathered for the ceremony, it wasn’t just for the sentimentality for their ‘sunburnt country’ but for their pride, and support of a special person who had been nominated for the Arts and Cultural Award.

Not only has Choir accompanist, Margaret Philp been a gift to the choir since 2011 when that time for every matter under Heaven presented itself but has been sharing her gift of music to generations for a very long time, as a teacher devoted to her craft, a font of knowledge, a gracious and generous friend and a cherished member of a choir family, this Australia Day acknowledgement of her contributions to her community so richly deserved.

It was strange not to have Margaret present to accept her award, but she had a fall, and, in that moment, things had to change. However, Margaret’s two sisters, Anne, Paula and Paula’s husband, Neville were more than proud to fill the void as their sister’s representatives, Anne, obligingly taking to the stage to accept the award from Mayor Graeme Lehmann and special Australia Day Ambassador, Mr John Lazarou. Subsequent phone calls to Margaret’s hospital bed with messages of congratulations were soon looming large including meaningful recorded tributes by Mayor Graeme and Councillor Sean Choat articulating their praise and good wishes for Margaret’s speedy rehabilitation.

As stipulated by the eloquent emcee de jour, Channel 7 presenter, Kimberley Busteed, and reiterated by guest speaker, Mr John Lazarou, Businessman, Greek Australian ‘King of Coffee’ with over 500 ‘Coffee Club’ franchises worldwide, each nominee was a winner on this day, all applauded for their endeavours by a grateful community and their many justifiably proud supporters.

Prior to proceedings, all comers including a whole bunch of proud new Australian Citizens, were treated to a delightful catered for brunch made gratis by the Somerset Regional Council, all enjoying the fellowship of a community, a reflection of what it means to be Australian.

By: Sue Walker