Joint Rotary Meeting Thursday 31 January 2013

Apart from the socializing within the bigger group of about 130 people, the focus of the evening was very much on the speaker:

Jonathon Welsh - Founder - The Choir of Hope and Inspiration Jonathon described his childhood, his professional opera-singing career and some of his life's trials and tribulations. Jonathon’s inspiration for the Choirs came from reading an article about the Montreal Homeless Men’s Choir whilst in Canada. Melbourne's Choir of Hope and Inspiration (formerly the Choir of Hard Knocks) began rehearsing in Sept 2006, having previously created the Sydney Street Choir in 2001. The Choir was created for people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Jonathon told us about the positive influence that the Choir has had on the lives of so many of its members and introduced one such member, Simon. Jonathon was recognised with an Order of Australia and the award of Australian of the Year - Local Hero, in 2008.    

The sergeants' haul was donated to the Choir - with donations this reached $200.

                              Getting down to business at the Top Table....