Winchelsea recital to raise crucial funds for local church

A SPECIAL recital raising funds for a Winchelsea-based church will take place later this month, utilising the backdrop of one of the town’s most prominent residences.

Vocalist Zinaida Campion and organist/pianist Victoria Hay will host a community recital event at Barwon Park Mansion on Saturday, June 22 with proceeds going to St Thomas Anglican Church to get new flooring.

The recital, named “Cecilia’s Daughters”, will feature an array of music ranging from classical songs to lieder to arias, performed by the duo at the prestigious property located on Inverleigh Road.

“It’s exciting for us to host this performance, while raising much-needed community funding for the church,” Ms Campion said.

“The recital was initially scheduled to take place on June 8 at St Thomas before the church’s floor collapsed in the middle of a busy funeral in late March, which is where the recital was originally meant to take place.

“But we’re extremely grateful Barwon Park Mansion’s land managers, the National Trust of Australia, stepped in to help and offered up the new venue at the last minute.”

The estimated cost to replace the church’s flooring is approximately $100,000. Ms Campion grew up in Winchelsea in a family of classical music lovers where she was influenced at an early age by the life and career of Marjorie Lawrence, a world-famous soprano.

At the age of 13 she was noticed by local pianist and coordinator of the Uniting Church, John Bumford, who was known for hosting large music events around Winchelsea in recent years, referred her to accomplished soprano Lee Abrahmsen.

Later that year she began lessons with Lee in her studio in Geelong before spending over half a year learning advanced vocal techniques in Europe in 2019.

Ms Hay boasts an impressive resume in her own right, living most of her life in London, working as an organist, pianist, director of music and teacher.

She is also the organist for Bellarine Anglican Parish, accompanist to the Geelong Welsh Ladies’ Choir, and has developed a small yet strong private teaching practice in the region.

“It is going to be a great chance for the community to come out as one and support one of the town’s great institutions,” Ms Hay said.

“We’d encourage anyone who may be out and about to attend the event and show their support, there will be light refreshments and tea as well.”

Tickets are $25 but school students will be admitted free. The concert will begin at 4pm.

Tickets can be bought ahead of the event at trybooking.com/CROQF