Choir adds a Wajarri tongue to program

Geraldton Multicultural Choir members have learnt to sing in Wajarri, an indigenous language local to the Murchison region.

Nadine Taylor, from the Bundiyarra Aboriginal Corporation’s Irra Wangga Language Centre, taught choir members the lullaby Twinkle Twinkle Little Star in the Aboriginal tongue.

The rehearsal on August 9 — the new choral group’s 13th — coincided with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Choir founder and organiser Jaye Allan said the choice of music was “a perfect match” as it also coincided with the opening of the Astrofest Astrophotography Exhibition, which is on display at the Museum of Geraldton.

The multicultural choir is a new program being run from the Queen Elizabeth II Seniors and Community Centre every Thursday at 7pm.

So far, the group has learnt songs in French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Maori, Mandarin, Russian and Tamil.

Attendance is open to people of all ages and backgrounds and costs $2.