A brilliant Australia Day in Canberra
Thursday 28th of January 2010
The combined Canberra and Queanbeyan groups started our full morning program of singing early on Australia Day at the Big Breakfast. We assembled at 7.15am ready to start singing when the crowds arrived for a free breakfast of sausage sandwiches and splendid fresh fruit.
The weather was perfect - very balmy at that hour of the day. We sang on Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park for 45 minutes. This is a wonderful venue with a sloping lawn surrounded by tall trees.
There were about 100 members taking part, Colin had asked that we favour green and gold shirts, the look was great with the majority in green and gold, but interspersed with patterns of other colours.
Colin conducted a varied program of songs, which included many of our favourites as well as many Australian songs. Alison Cozadinos our super-accomplished accompanist played for our entire morning program. We started the program with G’day, g’day and other Australian songs and then sang Hallelujah, Why we sing, Top of the world before treating the audience to more Australiana - Waratah and wattle, Galleries of pink galahs, Raining on the rock and others.
The happy crowd spread out on the grass really appreciated our singing.
Then it was on to the Flagraising Ceremony with the Federation Guard and the Band of the Royal Military College, followed by a large Citizenship Ceremony in the beautiful setting of Commonwealth Park. We sang to entertain the arriving dignitaries and celebrities and the new citizens. The Flagraising is a very prestigious event attended this year by the Governor-General, the Prime Minister and the newly announced winners of the Australian of the Year. We sang during the Citizenship Ceremony, including leading the singing of the National Anthem.
We feel very honoured to be part of these National events.
To the amusement of all, after the close of the ceremonies we sang Home among the gumtrees – with actions!
To view a selection of videos of Australia day performances by the Canberra and area groups click on the link below.
www.singaustralia.com.au/video.asp
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, speaking at the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony in Canberra
Colin conducting at the Citizenship Ceremony
Combined Canberra & Queanbeyan groups performing at the Citizenship Ceremony
Combined Canberra & Queanbeyan groups performing at the Citizenship Ceremony
Combined Canberra & Queanbeyan groups performing at the Citizenship Ceremony
Colin conducting at the Citizenship Ceremony
Adam Gilchrist, Chairman of the National Australia Day Council and her Excellency Quentin Bryce, Governor General of Australia
Combined Canberra & Queanbeyan groups performing at the Citizenship Ceremony
