1 July 2008
After a years gap, the Australian Rugby Choir was again invited by the Australian Rugby Union to sing at a Wallabies Test match. Brother Bob Newman must be credited with dogged pursuit of the ARU on our behalf - thanks, and well done Bob!
With some members opting for car travel, the rest of us piled into a 19-seater mini-bus, setting off at 1.30 pm and getting home again around 2.00 am.
On arrival we found that we had been bumped from Pylon 5 to Pylon 1 - from fronting the main flow of arrivals from the railway station to the outer fringes. Vodaphone was in our place!
Nevertheless, the show went on - under the baton of Tony 'Caruso' Craven, and to the accompaniment of Liz Fyfe on the keyboard, and with the support of a couple of very able mercenaries - Lali Wiratunga (Kevin Ruberu's son-in-law) and Brian Buckley (Wagga CIty Male Rugby Choir) - thanks guys!!
In selection of repertoire Mick Rice opted to keep it simple, but after the first bracket it seemed it was not going to be simple enough! By the end of the third bracket though, Caruso was getting the hang of conducting again after a ten year break, and the songsters were finally getting into their stride.
Liz proved that males have a superior sense of spatial orientation by turning left and doing a full lap of the stadium in search of the bus - but she did make it!
Many thanks to all who helped with this gig - including Bill Wattam who ferried all our gear to the ground, neil for initial arrangements with the ARU, Bob for getting the gig, Mick for administration (finally got the bus fares to add up), guest performers Lali and Brian, Liz and Tony for doing their best to make us sound good.
Photo Gallery »
Assembling At Pylon 1
Liz Fyfe in support
Tony Craven in action
An orderly array
Tony (Caruso) Craven sets the rules
In full voice
Keeping the beat
President Alistair enjoys the game
The whole team