CHRISTMAS came early for close to 70 residents of The Grange, with the return of the Myall Melodians’ Christmas Carols Concert on 2 December.
Inside the clubhouse this year, safe from the mozzies and heat, the audience was serenaded by a choir of nearly 50 local singers performing several festive favourites.
“For the past 18 years, the Melodians have been meeting to sing 30 songs that I choose out of the 500 we have in our repertoire,” Margaret Rowden, Melodians’ organiser and chief pianist, told News Of The Area.
“There’s a sense of wellbeing, and there is always someone who thanks me for the joy they experience through song – saying things like ‘I wasn’t going to come tonight, but I’m so pleased I changed my mind’.”
“Our age range is around 60 to 90, and there are many who say it’s the best time of the week for them.”
Everyone was treated to an impromptu sideshow by the antics of none other than the man in red himself, with Santa Claus making an early and privileged appearance for the young-at-heart audience, handing out some small prezzies to get the season going.
Santa could not stick around long, however, as he needed to get back to the North Pole with just over a fortnight before the big day, so he was whisked away upon his custom mobility sleigh.
The Melodians each pay a small subscription when they turn up for practice, and put out a donation box at each performance throughout the year.
The money is then donated to local causes during the Christmas concert.
This year’s donations of $1000 each, went to the local Free Clinic Bus and the Tea Gardens Public School.
“This money helps keep our free service going,” said Free Clinic Bus representative Jan Peeters, thanking the Melodians.
“Several of our 25 drivers and four co-ordinators live among you here in The Grange, and have helped us transport 400 individuals to hospitals and appointments this year.”
Tea Gardens Public School will use its donation to help fund its Breakfast Club – an initiative of the school and its teaching staff, who have stepped in to take on the extra responsibility after the COVID-19 pandemic brought an end to outside assistance.
“I can take this money to Coles and buy nutritious breakfast fruit and other food for the kids who need our Breakfast Club program,” explained TGPS Principal Mark Clemson.
The concert ended with a grand singalong rendition of “Let There be Peace on Earth” and the finale was “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
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