Benalla U3A’s Singing for Fun going strong after 20 years

The popular program now operates out of the Cooinda Hub, but it wasn’t always that way.

“Walking around the lake in early 2006, Margaret Walshe and I were discussing how U3A was flourishing in Benalla,” Joyce said.

“I said, but there’s no singing group.”

Margaret told Joyce she would look for a conductor, and asked Joyce if she would be willing to help out by organising the group.

The conductor that Margaret found was Charmaie Morley, and Joyce rang around her friends to see who could help.

“The Soroptimists donated $150 for music,” Joyce said.

“The Rotarians donated $2000 for an electric piano.”

Joyce arranged the music, found a venue at her friend Helen Mitchell’s home, organised morning tea and arranged to collect $3 a week from participants, to cover expenses.

She also arranged an ensemble of musicians including Gwen Barnes, Rae Washbrook and Enid Gipp.

Faith Hicks then came on board as a second conductor, sharing the role..

“Patsy Bollard was one of the first enthusiastic singers to sign up,” Joyce said.

After a year at Helen’s, the group moved to the CWA Hall, before relocating to the chapel at Cooinda.

Later, the group would move to Benalla’s Baptist church, at which point Margaret Merriman joined the leaders’ team.

However, a little later, U3A received a grant with the proviso it moved into Room 1 at the Senior Citizens’ Centre.

After 15 years, Joyce passed the torch to Margaret Jenkins.

Following COVID, the group moved back to Cooinda, utilising its hub.

Singing for Fun has performed at Rotary, U3A events, at Bob Borschmann’s funeral, and held concerts for aged care residents.

”This is all part of the joy of sharing Singing for Fun with the Benalla community,“ Joyce said.

Singing for Fun meets on the first, second and third Thursday of each month at 10am until noon at the Cooinda Hub.