A beautiful welcome to Ballarat

VISITORS to Ballarat who came by train on Saturday morning were greeted with a lovely surprise.

Over 50 members of Sing Australia Ballarat and Ballarat North were there to Welcome in Winter with songs and smiles.

Leader of Sing Australia in Ballarat Carolyn Priddle said that members of the choir loved doing something a little bit different and thought what better way to celebrate the start of winter than to sing out loud in a public venue that was a little different to the residential facilities and civic events. And what a venue.

Priddle approached the Ballarat Station Master who was very receptive to the idea of passengers being treated to songs as they disembarked at Ballarat.

There was a great atmosphere with passengers stopping to listen or join in familiar songs as they purchased tickets to catch the train to the footy, or buses and coaches to the airport and other regional towns and cities or when they alighted to visit this great historic city.

Priddle received many positive comments after the performance. One lady recently arrived in Ballarat said that on hearing the joyful singers she immediately thought that yes, she had chosen the right city to live in.

Jade Woods and her daughter Avril travelled by train from Bacchus Marsh to go to the Bridge Mall Farmers Market and said that the singing was wonderful.

“What a great community feel. And I love all the colourful hats and scarves. It’s a real community choir. A great event for the station,”

Young Avril really enjoyed the singing and was reluctant to leave.

Annmarie Elijah was meeting her friend Wenting Cheng off the train from Canberra who was absolutely delighted to be greeted by such a beautiful welcome to Ballarat. “What a lovely surprise and a fantastic initiative by the choir and the station. Congratulations to all those involved. I hope it continues.”

A gentleman from Tasmania, having arrived by train to go to the Ballarat Art Gallery, recognised the colourful clothes worn by one of the singers and said what a joyful experience to be greeted at the station by the sounds of voices.

Priddle said that it was great that the Ballarat Station Master had embraced the idea so enthusiastically. She hopes that with all the positive responses the station will be happy to host another event with Sing Australia in Ballarat as the singing obviously brought much pleasure to the travelling community.