TASMANIAN TRIP OF A LIFETIME FOR THE SYDNEY STREET CHOIR

Recently the Sydney Street Choir visited Hobart and the surrounding districts. Thousands of Taswegians were treated to live performances from the Sydney Street Choir on their first five- day whirlwind tour outside of Australia.

PAYCE Foundation Director, Dominic Sullivan said “Last week the Sydney Street Choir performed at some of Tasmania’s iconic cultural locations and events including the Museum of Old and New Art (MONA) and the popular Cygnet Folk Festival”.

The Sydney Street Choir Tour of Tasmania – Dominic Sullivan

Mr Sullivan said “The Sydney Street Choir is Australia’s longest running choir for the homeless and socially disadvantaged. In recent years, the choir has appeared at many venues across Sydney and interstate, but has never performed outside the mainland.

“The Tasmanian tour has provided a memorable experience for choir members, many of whom rarely have the opportunity to travel.

“Despite the demanding schedule, the choir members all embraced the opportunity with enthusiasm and will no doubt remember this five-day tour for many years to come.”

Choir Director, James Paul said, the tour has indeed been a significant event in the lives of many of our choir members.

“It was a chance for choir members to feel empowered and appreciated, for their talents and helped to affirm to themselves and others the value they have to contribute,” he said.

“Not only does the choir impact lives by empowering members to join the workforce or study, but it has also driven profound emotional change for many, helping some members to find their voice after many years of not speaking to another soul.

Mr Sullivan said “that during the whirlwind tour, the choir performed at the MONA Museum, Cygnet Folk Festival, Salamanca Markets, Hobart Farmers Market and did a radio interview and performance on ABC Hobart radio”.

“They even managed to fit in a visit to Mount Wellington and a quick dip to cool off after their MONA appearance,” he said.

Many thanks to our sponsors from the Sydney Street Choir - Dominic Sullivan

Dominic Sullivan saying, “The Tasmanian tour travel costs and arrangements were kindly provided by Virgin Australia, who, after being introduced through the annual Sydney Street Choir Corporate Singing Challenge by the PAYCE Foundation, has become a strong supporter of the choir.

Mr Sullivan congratulated the choir on its successful tour and thanked Virgin Australia for its generous support.

“As a thankyou to Virgin Australia for its support, the choir performed with Virgin staff and ground crew at the Virgin Australia domestic terminal prior to departure in front of the airline’s travellers,” noted Mr Sullivan.

Welcome support for the Sydney Street Choir – Dominic Sulivan

PAYCE and the PAYCE Foundation has been the choir’s primary sponsor for the past three years and encourage corporate Australia to join with them in supporting the country’s longest running choir of its type.

Support has indeed been growing with the welcome additions of Virgin Australia and the AMP foundation as well as a number of other organisations coming on board thanks to the corporate fundraising efforts of the PAYCE Foundation.