A NEW community choir is helping refugee women settle into Australian life.
Founder Dianne Simboro says the choir has attracted women of Sudanese, Burmese, Korean and Saudi Arabian backgrounds from Melton, Sunshine and Werribee.
The choir rehearses from 6.30pm on Thursdays at Melton’s St Dominic’s Little Catholic Church.
Ms Simboro says she wants to make the resettlement process easier for those who have just moved to Australia.
“I see music as the international language and I know what it’s like to live in a country and struggle with the language and the culture, having lived in Africa,” she says.
“Music is a non-threatening environment and a way for the women to have the chance to do something together that’s fun.
“The choir gives them a chance to feel a sense of home and belonging.”
Ms Simboro, who says the historic church’s acoustics make it the perfect place to sing, seeks to use music that speaks of unity. “We sing music from all different backgrounds. One of them is a Korean song. It talks about unity for the people of North and South Korea, which, as a country, is not united. This is one of the greatest longings for Koreans. And the same relates to the Sudanese for their country.” The choir has received support from St Dominic’s, Catholic Care in Melton and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.
New members are welcome.
-Andria Cozza
