Get On Board, a 20-voice choir formed around community independent candidate, Deb Leonard held their debut performance last Thursday at a special Campaign social night at Trulli restaurant in Meeniyan. 

Diners were treated to an unexpected concert when the Choir turned up to present half a dozen songs that they had rehearsed to support Leonard, accompanied by musicians on guitar and concertina.

“Our hard-working community volunteers decided to kick off the election year with song and pizza,” said Deb Leonard. “This event will set the scene for the serious fun that volunteers bring to our campaign”.

Led by renowned singing teacher, Jane Coker, who has international experience in community singing, this was the first of many public performances planned across the electorate for  ‘Get On Board’. 

Coker runs regular choir performances and workshops across South Gippsland where she is a resident.

Coker chose the songs to reflect aspects of the local community with a number of localities in the Monash electorate referenced in songs.

Following the performance, Leonard took questions from the audience in an unrehearsed Q&A.

If the Q&A was the main course the choir was the perfect entrée

“These events are important” said Leonard.

“They allow volunteers to come together, celebrate all we are achieving during the campaign, and discuss issues of importance with me. 

“This campaign is community-led – the idea for the choir, and the momentum it has generated is entirely the initiative and hard work of volunteers.” 

Leonard was particularly pleased with the choir.

“I was absolutely blown away by the talent, enthusiasm and passion of the singers and musicians involved. I can’t wait for the public to see them perform around the electorate. The presence of a group of people singing, reinforces what we want to support in our community campaign: coming together to raise your voice and have a greater impact.

"Listening to local voices is the core of community campaigning”.

Leonard believes she has a good shot of winning the seat of Monash, with the election to be held by May 17 this year.

“Voters want to see our community coming together to identify problems and discuss solutions and move beyond the bureaucratic party systems that hold back decision making.

“As an independent, I don’t play party politics and am not constrained by lines. I can work with either side of politics to get more for Monash and to move our communities forward.”

Get on Board is performing at the Mirboo North Market on Saturday January 25, and at the Fish Creek Market on Saturday February 8, and will have further performances in the lead up to the election. 

“They’re so good we might have to put a campaign album out,” quipped Leonard.