We all know the saying " all work and no play makes jack a dull boy?"in order for the choir memebers not to become too dull or tired at the constant rehearsals, we decided a day out at Werribee Open Range Zoo was in order. All the members of the choir, along with family members, went on "safari" in the safety of a bus where we saw various animals living in surroundings which try to imitate as close as possible their natural habitat. The hippos, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, buffalo were greatly appreciated by both young and old. After the bus trip, a trek by foot to view the animals at closer range. The cheetahs and lions were probably the favourites. To end the days "adventure" what better way than a BBQ at the park near the Zoo where all members of the choir enjoyed not only the food, but being in each others company. The outing was proclaimed a "hit" and we look forward to having regular family day trips in future!!
18 March“Iskierki” travelled to Sale to participate in a
concert in recognition of the first migrants who had temporarily made
their home in the refugee camps which had been established after World
War 2.
Besides our choir, and the polish folk ensemble “Beskidy”, there was a
welsh male choir, Scottish highland pipe band, a choir from the
Philippines, and a German dance group.
The children sang, “I still call Australia home”, “I am, you are, we
are Australian”, “Waltzing Matilda” and “Tango Pożegnalne”.
The polish club - Dom Polski “Syrena” held its
annual traditional
picnic commencing
with a Mass.
“Iskierki”
sang during the Mass and afterwards the older girls joined in the
festivities of the day by helping to “face paint” the younger
members of the public who were delighted with some of the more
inventive designs!
6 February
The choir has already returned to rehearsals and will sing at the annual polish picnic at "Syrena" Rowville the first sunday of march.
There were no rehearsals - school holidays - summer break.
Our year ended with the choir participating in
"Pol-Art" which
was held in Hobart, Tasmania. The choir took the opportunity to
visit historical Port Arthur, went to view the yachts entering the
harbour
in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and to historical Richmond, one of
Tasmania's oldest
towns.
The six girls participating in" Pol-Art" spent
the morning in
rehearsals before the concert in the afternoon which was highly
successful.
For them it was a wonderful experience to be participating in such
a prestigious event in the polish calendar and meeting so many of
their peers taking part in this Festival which involved many
thousands of young people from all over Australia and New Zealand.
17 December
Annual "opłatek" at Dom Polski "Syrena" Rowville. It was the
end of
year for all groups associated
with Dom Polski. A time for all the polish people in the district
to come and spend some time together before Christmas, singing
traditional carols, watching a Nativity Play and the traditional
sharing of the "Opłatek" and afternoon tea spent together.
10 December
Divine Mercy Shrine in Keysborough. Along with
the Polish school from
Rowville and two other adult choirs,
they took part in the preparation for Christmas by singing two polish
and one
english carol.
3 December
The first Sunday of the month, the choir sang at the Polish Fair
(“Targi”) at Dom Polski “Syrena”
19 November
Iskierki, took part in the Polish Festival at Federation Square. The
day was filled with music, dance, song
and plenty of polish food and drinks.
