Esk to the Apple Isle

“I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live deliberately, and, if it were sublime, to know it by experience and be able to give a true account of it…” Thank you, Henry David Thoreau, for allowing me a little poetic licence as I borrow your words for a true account of the Esk Community Choir’s recent foray into the St Cecilia Performance Challenge and our time in Launceston, Tasmania.

Sometimes the best adventures don’t need to be long ones - just great company, a sense of fun and a group of people ready to make memories. And so it was, with just five nights ahead, twenty-one enthusiastic ‘Tassie Treblers’ gathered at Brisbane’s Virgin Australia terminal after an early-morning start, maybe a little bleary-eyed, but certainly ready for an adventure. Five nights may have seemed like a fleeting trip but in true Esk Community Choir fashion, this group would surely make each one count.

Blessed with a seamless bulk-check-in amid the organized mayhem of the Virgin terminal, we were soon winging our way to Launceston via Melbourne. A lengthy layover provided opportunities for sustenance, followed by a mercifully swift dash across Bass Strait to our Johnny-on-the-spot bus driver, Patrick, waiting to pile us into his bus for the quick journey to the Best Western Plus, our Launceston home for the next few days.

We were ready for whatever this city could throw at us — inclement weather included. What we hadn’t counted on was the news that major renovations at the Princess Theatre across the road meant our bus had to find a flat patch of pavement as close to the hotel as possible. For most of us, this was merely an inconvenience; for some, an exhausting uphill suitcase safari; for our Bill, whose wheelchair hoist lift demanded level ground, it was a matter of avoiding an unexpected catapult onto the footpath!

Weary from this day’s early morning departure, twenty-one ‘Tassie Treblers’ were more than ready to exchange travel mode for recovery mode, and the Hotel’s Tram Bar beckoned with the promise of some much-needed liquid refreshments. Recharged, we gathered for our first ‘group’ dinner in a private room where we were looked after by the wonderfully attentive Best Western Plus staff. Over dinner we chewed the fat over the day’s adventures and plotted for the day ahead.

Launceston, or “Launnie” as it is fondly dubbed by the locals, is Tasmania’s northern gateway. Nestled in the picturesque Tamar Valley at the meeting point of the South and North Esk Rivers, this charming city has plenty to tempt the tourist. A haven for foodies, a celebrated wine-growing region, for the beer buffs, the historic Boags Brewery, a diverse community of designers, growers, nature lovers and, as we were soon to discover, an abundance of talented musicians and music lovers.

Day 2 dawned with a free day to explore this wonderful city overflowing with small town charm. Some were tempted to tipple an award-winning single malt at the Launceston Distillery, housed in historic Hanger 17; others boarded a bus for a private tour to the spectacular Bay of Fires where Mother Nature has truly outdone herself. Some sought the thrill of riding the world’s longest chairlift at Cataract Gorge while others preferred to wander at their own pace through the streets and alleyways of Launceston, a city steeped in history yet still very much alive and fully functioning.

Captivated by the beauty of these places, it was easy to forget that our primary reason for being in the city was, first and foremost, to sing. And so, for those who had chosen to remain local, that first afternoon was spent in Room 202, gathered around a hired keyboard graciously provided by Barratts Music Store, with bodies piled onto the bed and voices raised in rehearsal for the following day’s performances.

The venue for the Performance Challenge was the truly grand Grand Chancellor Hotel, thankfully just a stone’s throw from our accommodation. For those not weary of foot or form, the evening provided a delightful opportunity to check out the competition, while also observing the functions and foibles of our unfamiliar adjudicator.

It was also a chance to reconnect with Matthews Tyson, founder of St Cecilia’s Music School and host of the event. By now, following his many visits to examine our own musical endeavours, Matthews had become much more than an examiner…moreover a good friend of the Choir.

Justin Chan, Alexis FitzGerald OAM and Matthews Tyson

Days 3 and 4- time to hit the high notes!

It was early this year when Alexis laid the blueprint for members of the Esk Community Choir to participate in this Performance Challenge and confine it to a five-day long weekend.

This annual event, sponsored and hosted by St Cecilia Productions, has for the past 31 years provided a wonderful platform for performers to showcase their talents. Vocalists and instrumentalists of all ages are invited to compete across a diverse range of musical genres and age-appropriate classes.

With qualifications as impressive as his achievements, this year’s Challenge was fortunate to have Justin Chan as its adjudicator. A teacher of piano, cello and music theory, Justin is also a composer, an active member of orchestras, string ensembles and bands, and, as if that weren’t enough, is involved in worship ministry leadership as well.

Music, Justin tells, is one of his greatest joys in life, clearly evident throughout this Challenge.

At the close of each day’s performances Justin offered every performer thoughtful observation, and generous encouragement. His warm and constructive approach made it clear that this very young man with a remarkable gift, was also passionate about nurturing that gift in others.

Every one of our choir members acquitted themselves admirably. Their performances earned high praise from Justin in his adjudication reports, along with marks that were equally impressive. Each performance was a wonderful endorsement of their talent, courage, dedication and commitment and while butterflies may have been doing a bit of a jig, they certainly didn’t get in the way of some very courageous performances!

This year, we managed to scoop the prize pool, bringing home an impressive seven gold medals!

• Susie Walker – Classical Solo

• Suzanne Clememce – Folk Flute Solo

• Flute – Wind/Brass Open

• Flute Duet – with Ruth Skippen

• The Esk Community Choir – Choir Adults Only

• Susie Walker & Patrina McLeod – Open Duet

• Liz Kelleher, Evey Weller & Kathleen Watts – Three Little Maids Ensemble

We also achieved four silver medals:

• Denis Hawes – Sacred Solo

• Kathleen Watts – Songs from Musical Theatre

• Susie Walker, Ruth Skippen & Patrina McLeod – Ensemble 1

• Evey Weller – Traditional Folk Song

Highly Commended awards were received for:

• Susie Walker & Anna Wheildon – Open Duet

• Denis Hawes – Contemporary Style Singing

Buoyed, if not a little bushed following each day’s achievements, we soon slipped easily into the rhythm of finding ourselves around tables in the Grand Chancellor’s lounge bar to unwind and shoot the breeze over a wine or two, perchance to hatch plans for the following day.

Day 5 – The final countdown As sunlight spilled into the morning of our last ‘free’ day in Launceston, plans were afoot for a leisurely Tamar River cruise, taking in the magnificent Cataract Gorge along the way.

Some opted for shank’s pony and set off on foot, while others, less confident of Launceston’s street directions, opted for a taxi. This, however, proved to be an adventure of an entirely different kind, the journey not only broadening our use of colourful language, but also providing a valuable lesson in knowing to never try to be funny with taxi drivers whose gender appears questionable!

The cruise carried us along the Tamar, North and South Esk Rivers and deep into Launceston’s magnificent Cataract Gorge where towering, weather-sculpted cliffs rose dramatically either side. It was a place of such natural grandeur and stillness that whispering seemed appropriate.

This was also to be our final night together in Launceston and buoyed by the success of these past five days, as we gathered around tables in the Grand Chancellor Hotel’s restaurant, it was obvious we were not going gently into this good night. We quaffed, sipped, laughed, and consumed all that was on offer and before the cacophony got completely out of hand, we paused to give our thanks to those who made this tour the success it was.

To our ‘extras’ who became our groupies, and then our friends, thank you for being our photographers, carers, bag ladies, high-fivers and for your endless encouragement and uplifting praise which made our heads swell just a little.

To Alexis, Ruth and Suzanne for your incomparable accompaniments. Our music shines because of you.

…and to Alexis, for your passion, inspiration, patience, sensitivity, and allowing us all to steal so many pieces of your life; for opening the door into your world of music and teaching us so much that we never want to leave, we give our heartfelt thanks.

Launceston’s St Cecilia Productions 2026 Performance Challenge was more than just an event. It was a feeling. And for five perfect days, it was ours.

By: Sue Walker