U3A Singing for Fun has seen several new members join our group in March. We were very pleased to have Maxine Gardiner back and also Max Tilbury. We were thrilled to see Patsy Bollard and Bianca on two Thursday mornings.

We also welcomed Ross Bootes as a Leader in March and were impressed with his interest in the emotion of each song. The first song he chose was “Teddy Bears Picnic” which is something we haven’t tackled as a group for some considerable time.

Our Leaders Kieran, Carmyl, Wendy, Ross and Margaret have been providing us with an interesting selection of songs. Kieran had one morning with a selection of Irish songs to celebrate 17th March. Some of these he played himself on the piano which was a new scenario for us.

Carmyl chose songs from different countries one morning. She is very good at including rounds and companion songs like “Pack up your troubles” and “It’s a long way to Tipperary”.

Thank you to Gwen for playing for two Thursday mornings, and to Deb for playing on the third Thursday.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 3rd April at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda. All welcome.

​
Margaret Jenkins

Singing for Fun welcomed six new members in 2025 as well as our loyal members from last year.

During February we had Wendy as a Leader, and she has done an excellent job. The first week she chose songs from around the world, whilst on the second Thursday she chose songs with Love as a theme as it was the day before Valentine’s Day. Well done Wendy.

We also had Kieran, Carmyl and Margaret as Leaders during February. We enjoyed the rounds Carmyl is keen on. What could be better than singing “Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree” in four parts, and all ending at the same time!

Kieran introduced us to a new Irish song “The fields of Athenry” which several members seemed to know. Thank you for printing out the words of this song Kieran and introducing it to us all.

Thank you to Gwen for playing the piano for us on the first two Thursdays, and for Deb for playing on the third Thursday.

Singing has a very caring group of people and thank you to those members who are bringing other members because of whatever reason. It gives so much joy to those whom you are bringing to participate in our singing.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 6th March at 10am in the Hub at Cooinda.
​
Margaret Jenkins    
 

An excellent roll up for Singing for Fun's December breakup at the Golf Club following the morning's concert at Estia Health!  (three slides)

Margaret Jenkins

Enjoy!
​

Congratulations to the Singing for Fun group on their great performance at the U3A Benalla concert on Wednesday 20th November 2024. Thank you to Kieran, Brian and Margaret for the work that you had done with the choir. Also, many thanks to Gwen for her excellent accompaniment on the piano.

This is the time of year to thank all those members of Singing for Fun that have put in “above and beyond”. Thank you to our four conductors Kieran, Carmyl, Brian and Margaret for your choice of songs throughout the year, and for guidance of the group. Also, thank you to Gwen and Deb Saunders for their playing of the piano which has been enjoyed and valued by the group.

Then there are the smaller but also important jobs. Thank you to Deidre for helping with morning tea at the beginning of the year, and to Sue for her assistance since then. To Wendy and her team for putting all the books away each week. To Brian Colman for arranging the chairs many Thursday mornings, and to the guys for putting them back after each session. Also, to Rupe and Carol for tidying up the kitchen each week.

After seventeen years as a Leader of the Singing for Fun Group, Brian Greed is retiring from being a Leader. During that time, he has created many musical arrangements for the group, and has tried to improve the quality of our singing. Some of the memorable “Brian Songs” that we will all remember are “Sweet Caroline”, “Orange Coloured Sky”, “Changing of the Guard”, “Waterloo” and the Seekers Songs. Thank you, Brian for all the preparation you have done for your segments. We are all pleased that you will still be coming to Singing for Fun.

Thank you to those members of the Singing group who participated in the Remembrance Gathering which was held on Tuesday 12th November at Benalla Health. Our singing of “What a Wonderful World” and “Song of Peace – Finlandia” was appropriate and appreciated by the organisers of the gathering.

​We have two more concerts in December. On Thursday 5th December at 10.30am we visit Cooinda and on Thursday 12th December at 10.30am we visit Estia Health. Our end of year lunch will be held at the Golf Club following the Estia concert.

Hope to see you all in 2025.

Margaret Jenkins

Singing for Fun had three great sessions during October. Our concert pieces are coming along well, and our Leaders Kieran, Carmyl, Brian and Margaret also had time for some extra songs which were most enjoyable too.

Carmyl chose two rounds Row, Row, Row your Boat and Kookaburra Sits on the Old Gum tree as part of the third session. The Singing for Fun group, plus some hostel residents of Cooinda enjoyed the four parts of both rounds and the sound was just amazing. Carmyl continued with the companion songs of Pack up Your Troubles and It’s a Long Way to Tipperary which also sounded great and everyone enjoyed the experience.

Thank you to Gwen for playing for the first and third Thursdays, and to Deb for playing for the second Thursday.

The U3A Concert is on Wednesday 20 November 2024 in the Auditorium of the Benalla Seniors Community Centre at 10am. Please be there a few minutes before 10am. You are welcome to bring partners and friends to hear the concert.  

Our Concert for Cooinda hostel residents is on Thursday 5th December 2024 at 10.30am whilst our concert at Estia is on Thursday 12th December 2024 at 10.30am. Once again, please be seated before the concert is to begin. Our Singing end of year celebration is at the Golf Club on Thursday 12th December at 12 noon. Partners are welcome. 


​Margaret Jenkins

The Singing for Fun members welcomed about 10 Cooinda residents and 4 carers to our singing on the third Thursday of September. One Cooinda resident had a birthday so we sung Happy Birthday to her. We changed our program a little after morning tea. Thank you to Brian for playing The White Cliffs of Dover and lots of songs from of Book 2 which our visitors joined in and really enjoyed. Thank you, Kieran for conducting that portion of the morning.

On the first Thursday in September Carmyl received her OAM at Government House in Melbourne. Thank you to Wendy for taking a Leader role that day. We all enjoyed the songs you chose. The next Thursday Carmyl gave us all an overview of her afternoon at Government House which was extremely interesting and sounded very organised. Congratulations Carmyl on your award.  

The Singing for Fun group is looking forward to the U3A Concert on Wednesday 20 November at 10am in the Auditorium of the Benalla Seniors Community Centre.

The dates for our concerts at Cooinda and Estia have also been arranged. We are singing at Cooinda on Thursday 5th December at 10.30am, and at Estia on Thursday 12th December at 10.30am. An end of year lunch has been booked for the Benalla Golf Club at 12 noon on Thursday 12th December. All welcome. Thank you everyone who has been involved in organising this.

Our Leaders have been doing a great job. Thank you, Kieran, Carmyl, Brian and Margaret. Also, many thanks to Gwen for playing on the first and third Thursdays and to Deb for playing on the second Thursday.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 3rd October 2024 at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda. All welcome.


Margaret Jenkins 

​August has been another varied month for Singing for Fun.

Our second meeting for the month was at Estia where we sang with the residents of Estia who used their red song books. Thank you to Deb for playing the piano for us, and to Kieran for conducting the songs. It was a happy morning for all concerned. Thank you to Estia for providing us with morning tea at the end of our visit – that was much appreciated by the choir

​Our third week saw Margaret and Carmyl being unavailable. So, thank you to Kieran and Brian for conducting their sessions, and to Kieran for introducing the songs that Carmyl chose for the morning. We were pleased to have Patsy and five residents of Cooinda plus some staff come and visit us and join in for two thirds of the morning. That is a distinct benefit of holding the Singing sessions at the Hub at Cooinda.

Thank you to Gwen for playing for our first and third sessions of the month. Also, thank you to Carmyl, Margaret, Brian and Kieran for their choice of songs for the first week. Thank you, Wendy for the wonderful slice you provided for morning tea that morning. We all enjoyed it.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 5 September at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda. All welcome.
​
Margaret Jenkins 

What a varied month we have had in July! For our first meeting Margaret was enjoying a Ghan trip to Darwin and Brian was unavailable, so we invited Wendy to try her hand at being a Leader. Thank you, Wendy for stepping up to join Kieran and Carmyl for the morning. By the round of applause, it seemed that everyone enjoyed the songs you chose.  Thank you also to Gwen for playing the piano for the group.

Second week Margaret had caught the lurgy and so stayed at home. We had Kieran, Brian and Carmyl plus we welcomed back Deb from her overseas trip as our pianist. We also welcomed back Deidre who has had foot problems for nearly two months. Plus, we enjoyed the slice that Margaret sent along with Max. Thank you Margaret and Max for an enjoyable morning tea.

Third week was our sing out at Cooinda. We would like to thank the staff at Cooinda who were great in helping with our RAT testing and signing in.  Thank you to Kieran for announcing the songs, and encouraging the Cooinda residents to sing with us. Many thanks also to Deb for playing for us, especially for the extra songs Kieran included in the program. Both residents and our singers enjoyed the morning. Well done everyone!

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 1 August at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda. All welcome.

Margaret Jenkins 

For our first two sessions of Singing for Fun for June we had members away at the FCJ “Finding Our Voice” practices which included Kieran, one of our Leaders. Brian was also unavailable for those two weeks, so our thanks to Margaret and Carmyl for running those sessions.

In the third session for the month, we had Kieran and Brian back with us, so we enjoyed a full range of songs. Thank you Gwen for playing for all our sessions.

A big welcome to Elizabeth and Trudi who came on the third week to check us out, and were full of praise for our welcoming group. We hope to see both of you again in the future.

In the past month we have been asked to share our singing with both Cooinda and Estia. After consultation with Cooinda, we will be going there on 18th July at 10.30am to sing with them for an hour or so. Parking will be available near ‘the pond’ and entrance will be by the door at the rear of their community room which is near ‘the pond’. RAT test kits will be given out on 11th July. Please do a RAT test at home, and bring the RAT test with you to show Cooinda staff as you enter.

Singing at Estia in Thomas Street will be on Thursday 8th August at 10.30am. RAT tests will be given out on Thursday 1st August. Please do your RAT test at home and show your completed RAT test to Estia as you enter. 

 
Margaret Jenkins

Singing for Fun members Kieran Smith, Rhonda Ward and Ray O’Shannessy are again participating in ‘Let’s Find Our Voice’, a project which brings community members together with students from FCJ College to form a community choir. The choir practises for eight weeks before performing a concert for everyone involved, ‘bringing joy and connection, and bridging the generations for all who participate’. We are looking forward to seeing Kieran, Ray and Rhonda in this year’s ‘Let’s Find Our Voice’ concert video!

The 'Let's Find our Voice' concert is being held at the FCJ College Marie Madeleine Centre, 52-54 Arundel Street at 7pm on Thursday 13th June.  Adults $10.

We have had three very enjoyable Thursday mornings in May. Lots of great songs from Kieran, Carmyl, Brian and Margaret. Thank you very much for the variety of songs you have all chosen. Also, thank you, Gwen for playing the piano for us on the first and third Thursdays.

On the second Thursday we had Deb playing for us which we enjoyed. We also had a visit from six members of a walking group from Cooinda, plus two supervisors who heard our singing, and decided to come and join us for three quarters of an hour or so. Visitors from Cooinda are always welcome at Singing for Fun, and we hope to see a similar group again in the near future.

Also, thank you to Rae for bringing a slice on the second Thursday. Home cooking is always enjoyed by everyone at morning tea.

On the third Thursday we wished Ray Happy 92nd Birthday by singing at the commencement of our morning. Ray told us that his wife Bernadette had made the chocolate slice which he brought to celebrate his birthday. Thank you, Bernadette for the delicious slice.

We were sorry to hear on the third Thursday that Deidre had a fall near Wangaratta hospital, and had subsequently found that she had broken four toes. Deidre spent a few days in Benalla hospital, and we wish her a speedy recovery and hope she is back with us soon.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 6th June at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda. All welcome. 


Margaret Jenkins

We have had a varied month in April with lots of different songs. Brian re-introduced us to the Abba favourite “Waterloo” which was quite successful. It has some unusual rhythm sequences which the group picked up quite well. 

Margaret supplied us with the words to “Thank Heavens for Little Girls” which she teamed with “I Enjoy Being a Girl” which was a great combination.

Kieran favoured some Irish Songs and also some songs with Anzac themes for the third Thursday, whilst Carmyl had a great variety of songs and also some rounds which she conducts so well.

We had Deb playing for us on the second Thursday which went well. Thank you to Gwen and Deb for accompanying the group.

We appreciate the effort everyone puts into selecting their songs. We also really enjoyed the delicious slice which Rae brought on the first Thursday morning.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 2nd May at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda.
​
Margaret Jenkins  

In the first session of Singing for Fun in March, we revised the concert songs we performed at the end of 2023 in preparation for our 'Sing Out' at Cooinda on the third Thursday in March.

We had Deb Saunders playing the piano for us for the second session, which was the first time Deb had played for the group. Congratulation Deb on a great start with the group. This lady is very organised as well as having wonderful musical ability. We hope that you will be with us Deb for a long time.

On the third Thursday we had our Sing Out at Cooinda, with Gwen Barnes accompanying the singers. We had not been able to visit Cooinda at the end of 2023, and the 30 or so residents and staff really seemed to enjoy our visit. Not only did we sing our concert songs, ably led by Kieran, Brian and Margaret, but we also included some Community Singing led by Carmyl. Thank you to Gwen and all the Leaders for their part in the morning. It was a satisfying morning for all concerned.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 4th. April at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda. All Welcome.


Margaret Jenkins

​Our three Singing for Fun sessions in February started off very well. We had almost 30 members for a couple of sessions, and our Leaders seemed glad to be back with everyone.

Our regular pianist Gwen Barnes played for all three sessions, and in the third session we introduced Deb Saunders to the group. We are extremely pleased to have Deb on board as our assistant pianist.

Kieran started the year with a variety of Australian songs, whilst Brian Greed chose some favourites including Seeker’s songs, and “The Changing of the Guard”.

Carmyl showed that she is the queen of rounds amongst other things. Carmyl is very precise in organising the rounds, and to hear “Kookaburra Sits in an old Gum Tree” in four parts was very impressive.

Margaret chose “On the Road to Mandalay” and “Wandering the King’s Highway” which were sung with great gusto during her sessions.

The U3A Singing for Fun group have been invited to sing at Cooinda on Thursday 21 March at 10.30am. Cooinda was not able to have us for our end of year concert in December 2023, so have invited us to sing there early this year. It will be a mixture of the songs we did for the End of Year concert last year, as well as songs chosen from Cooinda’s Community Song Book.

The next Singing for Fun session will be on Thursday 7th March at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda.


Margaret Jenkins

Margaret Jenkins

Do you like music?
Do you like socialising with friendly people?
Would you enjoy singing with a ‘Singing For Fun’ group?
Do you play the piano?
Would you be able to assist our 'Singing for Fun' pianist, Gwen, in that role? or
Do you know of anyone who plays piano and may be willing to be involved?

Our pianist has been playing for the group for 19 years and would love to share the position with someone who could also lead the singers from the piano.  The Singing for Fun group meets at the Cooinda Hub on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Thursday of each month from 10am to 12 noon.

Please contact Margaret Jenkins on 5762 6944 if you are able to assist,  OR  meet the pianist at U3A Enrolment Day at the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre building on 10 January 2024!

​Gwen Barnes and Margaret Jenkins 

​What a great concert we had at Meet and Mingle on Wednesday 15th November. Thank you to our leaders Kieran, Brian and Margaret for all the work you had done with us, and also to Gwen for accompanying all those songs.  It was a great morning listening to the Recorder and Ukulele Groups as well as having all our friends come and listen to us.

There were many favourable comments at the end of the concert. We look as though we will have at least two new members of Singing for Fun next year, and also three former members of Singing for Fun thought they would like to come back in 2024.

We still have our Cooinda concert at 10.30am on Thursday 7th December, and our Estia concert at 10.30am on Thursday 14th December. This will be followed by our break up lunch at the Golf Club at 12 noon on Thursday 14th December. There is also the Remembrance Gathering that we are singing at on Thursday 7th December at 5pm at Benalla Health.

Thank you to Kieran, Brian, Margaret, Carmyl and Brian for Leading the sessions through 2023. You have put considerable effort into choosing the right blend of songs, and then instructing us how to sing them properly. Also, a huge thank you to Gwen for playing so well for us throughout 2023.

Thank you to Deidre for helping with morning tea each Thursday. Also, to Wendy and Trish for sorting the books and putting them away when each session is over. Also, to the guys for rearranging the tables and chairs at the Hub after each session. You have all contributed to the smooth running of Singing for Fun through 2023.

With best wishes to you all for a Happy Christmas. Hope to see you all back at the Hub at Cooinda for Singing for Fun in 2024.

​
Margaret Jenkins 

Well, October has certainly been a different month for Singing for Fun. The first Thursday was just after the floods, and we had to cancel Singing for Fun as the flood barriers for the Hub at Cooinda were still down on Wednesday night.

The second Thursday we had Carmyl and Brian Colman as Kieran, Brian and Margaret were all unavailable. It is marvellous how resilient we are. Carmyl always seems to have a list of songs organised for us, and Brian Colman has a book of previously used songs which he could call on.

So, the third Thursday we were back to normal. Slowly we are putting together the songs for our concerts which are fast coming around. Our thanks to Gwen for not only her accompaniment, but also for her suggestions about some of the songs for the concerts.

We are singing for the Meet and Mingle concert on Wednesday 15th November at 10am in the Auditorium at the Seniors Centre. That will be a fun morning.

Then on Thursday 7th December we are going to Cooinda with our concert songs, plus some Christmas carols. That is going to be repeated at Estia Health (in Thomas Street) on Thursday 14th December, followed by our break up Christmas lunch at the Golf Club.

We have also been invited to sing at a Remembrance Gathering in the Benalla Health grounds near the Mary Tracy Fountain at 5pm on Thursday 7th December.

Thank you to all Singing for Fun members for participating in these concerts and the Remembrance gathering.
​

Margaret Jenkins

Unfortunately we h​ave had to cancel Singing for tomorrow (Thursday 5th October) due to flood damage of the Hub at Cooinda.  Len has sent an Email to all Singing for Fun members.  

Singing will return on Thursday 12th October. 

See you then!

Margaret Jenkins

September has seen lots of great songs by all the Leaders. Kieran focussed on some Al Jolson songs one morning, whilst Margaret chose a series of ‘partner’ songs at one session which were challenging but the group coped well. Brian chose some of our favourite songs during the month, whilst Carmyl had some Scottish songs one morning. 

Thank you, Gwen for accompanying the variety of songs which have been chosen.

We are starting to work toward the U3A concert which will be held on Wednesday 15th November at 10am in the Auditorium of the Benalla Seniors and Community Centre. The singing group will entertain for 30 minutes this year, due to the fact that the Recorder Group and the Ukelele Group will also perform at the concert. It will be great to have all the musical talent of U3A Benalla on display. We do hope that lots of U3A members and also their friends will come along and be part of the audience.  

The next meeting of Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 5th October at 10am at the Hub in Cooinda.

​
Margaret Jenkins

During August we have had Carmyl involved in two of the mornings due to Margaret being away on holidays. Carmyl chose a group of gospel songs for one of her sessions which was a bit unusual for the group, but they performed the songs very well.

Kieran has this great knack of getting us going each morning, choosing some rousing songs in the process. One morning Kieran included the Battle Hymn of the Republic and everyone sang it with great gusto.

Brian has been revisiting some songs such as Right Said Fred as well as The Black Hills of Dakota which have been enjoyed.

Thank you to Gwen for accompanying all the different songs, with no notice. You do a wonderful job for the group.

Our numbers are remaining close to 30 each morning which is great to see.

The next Singing for Fun meeting will be on Thursday 7th September at 10am at the Hub in Cooinda.

​
Margaret Jenkins 

Our numbers at Singing for Fun have been on the increase during July, which is great to see. We have welcomed Veronica, Hans, Shirley and Charlie and hope you all enjoy your times with us. Currently we have almost 30 people enjoying Singing for Fun each week.

Kieran had one morning where he chose alternate Australian and Irish songs, whilst Brian selected some Seekers songs which are always enjoyed. Margaret had one session where she had us singing several rounds, which everyone joined in with loud voices.

Thank you to Gwen for accompanying whatever is chosen. Also, our thanks to Gwen and Col for providing slice and chocolates for the morning tea to celebrate Joyce’s birthday. Joyce and her late husband Bob founded our group 18 years ago. Our singing of Happy Birthday that morning was also for Wendy and Milvi, who were also celebrating their birthdays in the same week.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 3rd August at 10am at the Hub in Cooinda.

Margaret Jenkins

Singing for Fun has been having three Leaders for the sessions in June, so as to provide the Leaders with a little extra time for teaching. The variety of songs chosen by Kieran, Brian, Margaret and Carmyl has been great. Kieran has often chosen several songs from musicals, whilst Brian has been introducing some great harmony by the sopranos.  We are enjoying Carmyl’s peace songs as well as her unaccompanied rounds, whilst Margaret’s songs are more spontaneous. Thank you to each leader for the time they spend in planning their sessions.

Thank you also to Gwen for the flexibility you show in accompanying such a variety of approaches.

The next Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 6th July at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda.

Margaret Jenkins

The first session in May started off with our pianist being unable to come. However, Brian Greed made a list of all the songs he was able to accompany, and we had a great session. A big thank you to Brian for playing the piano for the morning, and also to Rae for providing morning tea that day.

Gwen was able to return for our second and third sessions in May which was good. The flexibility that our Leaders provide is remarkable. Margaret Merriman chose the “Instrument Song” one morning, and whilst the five parts could have been a problem, it turned out to be very well handled by the group. Thank you also to Kieran for his Al Jolson theme one session which was also very enjoyable.

Our congratulations to Ray O’Shannessy on turning 91 during May. Also, many thanks to Sue Dwyer for morning tea on the third Thursday. 

Everyone in the group helps where they can. Thanks to Brian Colman for arranging the chairs in the morning for the sessions, and to the guys for rearranging the chairs after each session. Also, thanks to Wendy for putting the books away each week.

The next session of Singing for Fun will be on Thursday 1st June at 10am at the Hub at Cooinda.

Margaret Jenkins