MUSIC AND LOTS OF CHRISTMAS CHEER AT 'ALKIRA'

The Esk Community Choir Ensemble with Kathleen Watts leading 'When You're Smiling'

Alkira! It is a word from the Aboriginal language meaning 'a bright and sunny place'. One of life's greatest accomplishments is to become old and it is inevitable if one happens to live long enough. For many Somerset locals who have, Toogoolawah's 'Alkira' is that happy place in the sun they now call home, and on December 17th, when the ESK COMMUNITY CHOIR came to visit and spread some of the delights of the Season at the Aged Care facility's Christmas Concer, 'Alkira' surely lived up to its name.


Together with the kind and ever attentive staff, families' members and friends, the Recreation Room was filled to capacity with residents whose faces lit up on a par with their Christmas clobber and the joyous sounds of familiar Christmas Carols, the songs of the season which have become a part of the language of their memories. Though never far away when it comes to her choir, but with a full calendar in the lead-up to Christmas, Alexis's position at the Choir helm was very capably filled this day by Kathleen Watts. Kathleen, together with the ever-capable Margaret at piano, issued her directive for many smiles and lots of joyful singing, neither difficult to deliver in front of such a receptive and appreciative audience. A couple of sing-a-longs and many well loved Christmas Carols from the Choir were interspersed with beautiful solos from Kathleen, Christine, Carolyn and Susie and from Robyn and Jan, a Couple of Swells complete with costume, who performed a duet delivered with humour and style, a reminder of the theatrics of old Vaudeville.

'A Couple of Swells', Jan Jennings and Robyn Bagster hamming it up.

Sue Walker singing ' Orange Coloured Sky'

Carolyn King - 'Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire'

The sharing of gifts is so much a part of what Christmas time is about and for the Esk Community Choir to have been able to give the gift of their friendship and their music to those at Alkira, whose enjoyment of it was tangible, was truly a gift in return. The Choir looks forward to the giving of more of the same at future events.


by: Sue Walker