Welsh choir celebrates quarter-century milestone

L-R: Left to right Freda Wright (secretary), Nicky Wormald (treasurer), Myfanwy Rees (president), Jill Mayo (music librarian), Deidre "Dee" Day (vice president), Jeannette John (founder) and Bronwen Elford (publicity) in front of St Luke's Uniting Church in Highton. Photos: VINNIE VAN OORSCHOT

GEELONG’S sole Welsh singing group will celebrate its quarter-century milestone at the end of the month, capping off 25 years of harmonious performances across the region and abroad.

The Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir will host a sold-out 25 Years concert on July 30 at Drysdale’s Potato Shed, covering an inspirational collection of both Welsh and English songs led by the group’s musical director and founder Jeannette John.

“We’re nervous, but very excited at the same time,” Ms John said.

“This concert epitomises what the choir is and that we love to sing. No matter how tired we might be when we arrive to practice each Wednesday, we always leave feeling totally rejuvenated and happy to be a part of this choir.”

Originally from the Welsh village of Nant-y-moel, Ms John has been with the choir since its inception, founding the Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir in 1998 with just seven original Welsh-born members.

The choir was founded as a means of preserving and promoting Welsh culture across Greater Geelong.

Choir founder and music director Jeannette John has been with the group since its inception in 1998.

The choir expanded in its early years to 18 members, and then further ballooned to over 30 singers shortly after.

Ms John and current president Myfanwy Rees are now the only Welsh members of the choir.

The group is based out of St Luke’s Uniting Church in Highton and practices primarily English-speaking songs.

Both Ms Rees and Ms John include Welsh-speaking songs in the choir’s programming, providing additional support to other members to learn Welsh songs phonetically.

Ms Rees joined the choir nine years ago after moving to the Bellarine from Wales.

Ms Rees is from the Welsh town of Lampeter and has been the choir’s president for the past two years.

“A big reason for the choir lasting this long falls to the members without a doubt,” Ms Rees said.

“The girls are so supportive of each other and there is so much love.

“We’re a family, that’s for sure.”

The Geelong Welsh Ladies Choir currently has 35 members.

To find out more about the choir, head to www.welshladieschoir.com.au