Tania Lawrence (Hasluck, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

This weekend I'll be here and not in my Hasluck electorate in Western Australia, and so I'll be unable to attend the Guildford Songfest. The Guildford Songfest is an annual coming together of community choirs of all shapes, sizes and dispositions from near and far across Western Australia. It is ably run by its committee, led by the unstoppable Yvonne Henderson. Over the weekend of 10 and 11 September, people from Guildford and surrounds will be entertained by perennials like VoiceMale and Bernard Carney, amazed by A Cappella West and Spirit of the Streets, left dazed and confused by the Men of the West and Alfalfa Males, taken across the world by the Echoes of Ukraine and the South African Gospel Choir, and abandoned far out at sea by the Lost Quays and the She Shants.

Community choirs are fascinating, vibrant and wonderful parts of the lives of each of our towns and localities. They engender connection, friendship, learning and joy within each group, and then generously share that regularly with their lucky audiences. Choirs, of course, were closed down during the height of COVID. I'm pleased to see that they are back with a vengeance, and I wish the Guildford Songfest all the best for their big sing.

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