A newly-established choir at Kalinda School have been honoured with an opportunity of a lifetime: singing on the HMAS Canberra as part of Salute to Australia on Australia Day.
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The school will join an elite state public schools’ choir in pride of place for the massive ceremony around Sydney Harbour.
Kalinda Principal Angela Sampson said the choir was formed as part of the school’s philosophy that nothing should stop special needs students from doing anything.
The choir has a dozen students from Year 1 to Year 10 will be doing something other students and many adults could only dream of.
They will join together in song with hundreds of singers from school and community choirs in the annual ‘Salute to Australia’ on Sydney Harbour.
Australia Day Council of NSW Creative Director John Foreman said that nearly 500 choir singers will be stationed around Sydney Harbour on 26 January 2018 as part of the 21-gun ceremonial military salute.
They will sing Bapa, as a tribute to world-renowned Australian Aboriginal singer, who passed away earlier this year.
“Bȁpa” – which means ‘father’ in Yolngu – is a soulful tribute to the artist’s own father.
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The singers will also perform iconic Aussie song I Am Australian before leading the crowds in a rendition of the National Anthem.
Kalinda’s Chior will be joined in song by other choirs at vantage points around the harbour including on the Young Endeavour tall ship, the Overseas Passenger Terminal and on Hickson Road at The Rocks.
Ms Sampson admits it is a big commitment to get students, staff and parent supporters to Sydney on one of the year’s busiest day, but she is determined nothing will get in their way.
The Salute to Australia, which will be received by the Governor of New South Wales His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (retired).
