23 June 2016 – A shared love of singing and community spirit has brought together a group of Riverwood residents to from the Riverwood Community Choir through a community-driven initiative facilitated by property development and investment company, PAYCE.
PAYCE supports many of the local community and cultural events held throughout the year at various localities, including Washington Park Open Day, Carols in the Wetlands, Harmony Day and Music in the Rose Garden.
These events offer an opportunity for local groups and individuals to display their talents and entertain to a wide audience. It was at one of these events in late 2015 that some local residents thought it would be a good idea to form a choral group, so they could perform together on such occasions.
Initially, a core group of five residents kicked around some ideas on how to make it happen and when the company responsible for the Washington Park project, PAYCE, willingly offered its support, the seed was sown for a Riverwood Community Choir to become a reality.
PAYCE Managing Director, Brian Boyd said it had been a pleasure for PAYCE to be involved with the local Riverwood community for the past five years through its Washington Park project and its support of many local community and charity events.
“PAYCE is also a strong supporter and Foundation Partner of the Sydney Street Choir, so we were thrilled to arrange the services of its choirmaster, James Paul, to help establish the Riverwood Community Choir and for James to be their mentor,” he said.
“Since the early planning stages of Washington Park, we have been impressed by the community spirit shown by local residents and their enthusiasm to get behind any initiative that benefits the community.
“PAYCE believes for a community to be strong, it needs to be connected, integrated and inclusive, a place where people have opportunities to participate in social activities of community life.
“Community singing has great benefits for all involved and offers a strong sense of belonging and connectedness, bringing people together across all ages, culture and abilities.
“It can also foster inter-cultural acceptance and understanding in an area that proudly boasts over 150 countries and cultures represented among its residents.
“The choir had its debut performance at the 2015 Carols in the Wetlands where they received rousing applause. Their next performance in public was in front of 2,000 people at last year’s Lights of Christmas presented by PAYCE light and sound show at St Mary’s Cathedral in the city.
