Echuca Uniting Church

For our return visit to Echuca on Sunday 21 July, and with a change of venue, we performed in front of a capacity audience in the acoustically blessed space of the magnificent Uniting Church.

Local organiser Ann Peace had obviously been very successful with forward planning and publicity, as evidenced by the full turnout.

Compère Garry Salisbury (one of our three Echuca members) introduced the music team of Musical Director Rushan Hewawasam, principal piano accompanist Lorna Ogilvie, and Bendigo accompanist and organist Liz Paton.

The first Welsh bracket comprised the famous Cwm Rhondda (Rhondda Valley), with the audience eagerly joining in on the Songs of Praise chorus. This was followed by Ar Lan Y Môr (By the Seaside), the very tuneful new addition Y Darlun (The Picture), and the classic Gwahoddiad (Invitation), with the English verse sung by Rushan himself. Amazing Grace followed, then St. Clement, and Robat Arwyn’s beautiful Benedictus.

Rushan then invited Liz to perform a solo item on the magnificent organ, and the roof soon reverberated with another Welsh classic, Bryn Calfaria (Calvary Hill). This magnificent rendition was followed by a nine-strong group of choristers – including our three Echuca residents – singing the stirring Be Still My Soul by Sibelius, from the symphonic poem Finlandia.

Somewhat prematurely, the choir moved into Take Me Home, before the ever-popular Battle Hymn of the Republic, the VicWelsh version of which has now been viewed more than 146,000 times on YouTube.

After the interval, the opening number asked the somewhat rhetorical question What Would I Do Without My Music, before tugging at heartstrings again with another Robat Arwyn classic, Anfonaf Angel (I Will Send an Angel). Coming right down to ground level, we next sang about protecting Wales from marauders in Gwinllan a Roddwyd (A Vineyard Given to My Care).

Turning our humorous eyes and ears toward Olympics-ready Paris, ‘Geoffs de mission’ Roberts and Serpell came on stage avec batons and kepis to delight the audience with a warmly appreciated comic rendition of Offenbach’s Gendarmes’ Duet.

Allez Aus, as they say.

Musically shifting genres and continents, we launched into the animated spiritual Every Time I Feel the Spirit, before crossing the Atlantic once again for the triumphant anti-apartheid anthem African Prayer. This was followed by Paul Jarman’s Pemulwuy, which tells the story of the courageous Aboriginal guerrilla fighter who resisted British colonisation in Sydney at the end of the 1700s.

The final upbeat number was When the Saints Go Marching In, but before launching into it, Rushan rehearsed the audience several times to ensure they had the final choruses securely tucked away. And so it came to pass—with full audience participation and mass choral singing at the end, which was so spirited it had to be reprised to ensure everyone had truly sung their hearts out.

The formal close came with the Welsh national anthem (Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau – Land of Our Fathers), cleverly interpolated with Australia’s unofficial anthem Waltzing Matilda.

The Reverend Michele Lees stepped forward to thank all the organisers and choir, and made thoughtful presentations to the music team.

As a final musical treat, all choristers left the stage and surrounded the audience to chant their farewells with the haunting and emotionally affecting Sunset Poem from Under Milk Wood. United in the contemplative silence that followed, it was clear that this had been a musical experience to treasure—for both patrons and choristers alike.

Comments from the audience

Amazing – wonderful.

Lovely selection of songs. Favourites: Cwm Rhondda, Benedictus, Take Me Home, and the whole second half. The dynamics were excellent; loved the attention to detail. Really beautiful singing. Surpassed my expectations.

Wonderful to experience culture. Very emotional and enjoyable.

A superlative experience. Beautiful harmonies!

Loved the performance – great program. A brilliant sound. Thank you.

Having never been to a concert by this choir, I was so pleased I attended. It was marvellous. The harmonies were great. What a pleasant way to spend a Sunday afternoon. When will you return?

A beautiful performance. A wonderful performance – great harmony! Mostly enjoyable. Very good. Loved the conductor.

We have contacts and would never miss a chance to hear you.

Love, love, love it all! God bless you all for the pleasure you bring.

Beautiful entertainment. Musicology with thanks.

Amazing harmonies. Well done.

Excellent! Thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. Thank you.

Love Rushan’s work!

Garry Salisbury reported: A friend of mine who is a trained musician and has attended multiple performances said he thought the choir had never performed better. His highlight was Sunset Poem. It was the best crowd the church has had in their monthly concerts with a variety of performers.