Geelong Harmony has been singing locally for 30 years. We were one of the first Australian choruses chartered to Sweet Adelines International, one of the largest organisations for women’s music education in the world!
The following is taken from the Sweet Adelines Australia 20th Anniversary Album:
When the inaugural Sweet Adelines Convention was held in Geelong in June 1990, it caught the eye (and ears) of a small group of women. With Gwyneth Powell as director, the group of 12 gradually increased their numbers and began performing the barbershop style of singing in and around Geelong. They received their charter [into Sweet Adelines International] in May of 1994 just in time to sing for evaluation at the Sydney Convention.
Eisteddfods became regular events for us as we usually scored well and came home with trophies and money. We have also performed in a number of wonderful venues outdoors as well as inside, and had some unique experiences. Among these, the Queenscliff Ferry promotion – singing as the ferry arrived and the motor bikes alighted, and singing in the pre Commonwealth Games program at Geelong in 2005. An emotional experience was performing a collection of songs for the Andrew Love Centre in 2007, on a balmy evening at Eastern Park Beach.
Many and varied fundraisers, together with donations and grants from the City of Greater Geelong, have all helped to keep the chorus functioning as well as entertaining and promoting the Chorus in the community.
Geelong Harmony has been fortunate that the membership has remained steady at around 30. This is due to the friendly atmosphere created by its members and directors. Gwyneth stayed on with the Chorus for eight years despite having to travel from Melbourne for practice nights and sing-outs. With the support of her husband, Cliff, she encouraged the development of quartets and directed the Chorus at the Gold Coast and Adelaide Conventions.
We were sad when Gwyneth retired but she left us in good hands. Mary Johnston, a chorus member, took on the job in early 1999. Mary was a busy doctor with a young family, and we appreciated all her time and efforts. As well as singing in a quartet, Mary directed us in competitions in Perth, Wollongong, and lastly, at the Adelaide Convention in 2004 where we came third in the small chorus section.
Prior to the Convention, Mary had informed us that she intended retiring. Joan Humphrey, our Assistant Director, kept us working hard during the search for a new Director and in March 2007, we gained the expertise of Lucy Jones. Lucy went through a sharp learning curve but was assisted by Joan in the transition phase.
Lucy directed us at Conventions in Brisbane and Hobart where we came third in the midsize section and fifth nationally. Two of our quartets also did very well.
The Chorus recognised that we had a multi talented director, willing to try new things and take us in different directions. … We look forward to the next convention, however the main aim is friendship, singing together and creating the most wonderful sound. This is the best reward of all.
– Excerpt from Sweet Adelines Australia 20th Anniversary Album (2009).
Since the above history was published, Geelong Harmony has been fortunate to have Alex Morris directing us for 10 years and we achiever our highest ever competition score during this time. We now have the wonderful Michelle Roy, who was also a Geelong Harmony singer for a number of year.s
Geelong Harmony Chorus Musical Directors
- 2022–present Michelle Roy
- 2012–2022 Alex Morris
- 2007–2011 Lucy Jones
- 2005–2007 Joan Humphrey
- 1999–2005 Mary Johnston
- 1990–1999 Gwynneth Powell
