THE School of Hard Knocks Frankston Chapter choir had its first “come and try” day last Wednesday, with around 55 prospective choir members, volunteers and agency workers attending the launch at the Uniting Church in High St.
“It was the first day of engaging with the choir and it was very exciting,” patron and choirmaster Jonathan Welch said.
It will be running every Wednesday until mid-December.
“We still have a few hurdles to overcome but the important thing for us is that we are able to rely on the support of community groups. It’s about the community getting together to back this project and helping make it successful.”
The choir is being modelled on the original, successful choir featuring the disadvantaged and homeless, aiming to give them a purpose and focus in life – rather than just a drab, humdrum existence on the streets.
The concept was launched at a Rotary Club of Frankston Long Island fundraiser at the Frankston International Motel last month attended by Dr Welch and community supporters.
The group is hoping to attract prospective choir members as well as agency workers and anyone who may be interested in volunteering to help with lunches and support members.
Youth training organisation Steps catered for, and cooked, lunch for those attending Wednesday’s Choir launch. Trainer and recruiter Bruce Ranken, his team of trainee cooks and a qualified chief “did a sensational job”, according to those attending.
Mr Ranken said the five students were studying Certificate III in commercial cookery and working with job service agencies and the unemployed. Many came from the training organisation’s Frankston office.
“They had a ball,” he said. “They enjoyed cooking for the choir and learning new skills and menu planning. They got first-hand experience in plating meals.
“Some of the trainees (aged 19-55) had never spoken to a customer before; some have never worked at all.”
Dr Welch said those auditioning for the choir were “having fun, meeting each other and doing warm-up singing exercises”. Many are clients of a Frankston soup kitchen.
“This is a big, collaborative model; it requires the help of lots of people and various sectors, so we hope the local business sector and local schools get on board so the choir can have a very long life.”
Choir organisers say the costs to the community of backing the choirs are recouped in the long run as members benefit from improved health, confidence and self-esteem. They become less of a burden on society and can become positive contributors.
“When people become disengaged they face loneliness and isolation issues. Through the choirs they re-establish positive links with the community, with potential employers, and so reconnect and rejuvenate their lives. There are definite cost-savings in the longer term.”
Past District Governor Rotary International Janet McCahon described the event as “uplifting for so many people in Frankston who are on the fringe of society. There are lots of prospective members here.”
Community Support Frankston manager Steve Phillips said “today is about receiving expressions of interest; to see who wants to be in the choir – as a singer, a singing ‘buddy’ or as an agency helping the disadvantaged.
First published in the Frankston Times
