Good afternoon, Rotarians & Guests.
Welcome to you all present at the Sofitel and online today for the special annual visit by our District 9800 Governor, Michael Lapina.
Michael is, of course, a wonderful tenor who has led us in song on a number of occasions at lunch.
Music and song bring happiness to us all, but sadly, my confidence was dented in the Junior School at Wesley College when I was advised by our music teacher, "Breath Brown," that I had one of the worst voices in his long tenure with the School.
In my early days with the Club in the late 1980s, we were regularly entertained by our Club Choir, including the likes of John Mitchell and Ross Scholes-Robertson, who led us for many years singing ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘Advance Australia Fair.’
Reflecting on our Club history, it is interesting to read that the first community singing at the Club occurred on 30 November 1922 when the purchase of a piano was recommended and the Club divided into "Pro-Songsters" and the "Anti-Songsters." In an address to the Club in 1924, Professor Osborne stressed the value he had found in Club singing.
It was noted in 1942 that Rotarians could still sing, some very badly, but this improved under Sir William (Bill) McKie, who later became organist at Westminster Abbey. He rehearsed the Club in the singing of ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ to greet the American Rotarians who arrived with their Troops that year.
Eric Fox was the Club Pianist for over forty years until singing was finally phased out.
The Club has been a great supporter in promoting singing and musical talent, and for many years, in conjunction with the Rotary Club of Cheltenham, we were involved with the Acclaim Awards, enabling opera students to undertake a Fellowship Program in Milan. Some of our Members involved were Peter Marfleet, Martyn Pickersgill, Peter Rogers, Barry Rawlings, and David Jones.
How fortunate we are to have David Kram and Karen Kim as our music supremos and Michael Lapina to keep some of our singing traditions going.
Peter Dakin
Thank you to Peter Dakin for providing this reflection on 28 August 2024.
