ONE of only two Welsh Ladies Choirs in the entire Southern Hemisphere will spend the weekend of 22–24 May in Flinders, with up to 30 choristers attending the group’s inaugural music workshop.
The Mornington Peninsula Welsh Ladies Choir will base itself at the Flinders Motel for the three days, with the workshop to be led by musical director Tom Buchanan OAM at the Flinders Community Centre. Buchanan is also musical director of the Australian Welsh Male Choir, which is preparing for an international tour that includes a performance at London’s Albert Hall.
In the lead-up to the weekend, choristers Marissa Tunks, Sue McCarthy and Trudi Mackenzie visited traders along Cook Street to book meals and let shopkeepers know “the Welshies” would be in town.
McCarthy said residents could expect to see members walking between the motel and the community centre, and possibly hear them break into song at a local eatery on the Friday or Saturday night.
“They’re a friendly lot, so stop and say hello,” said McCarthy.
Although the workshop itself is a private event, the choir welcomes enquiries from prospective new members and no auditions are required to join.
The choir – which recently celebrated its 8th birthday – began 2026 by singing at St Paul’s Cathedral for St David’s Day, and recently performed to a capacity audience at the restored Mechanics Institute Hall in Somerville. Upcoming performances include a concert at The Edge at Federation Square later this year, and a traditional Welsh Afternoon Tea Concert at St John’s Anglican Church in Flinders on Sunday 9 August.
The group regularly performs at Anzac Day services and citizenship ceremonies, and raises funds through concerts for Peninsula Home Hospice and Moonah House Women’s Shelter.
Members also provide and deliver food and clothing to community support centres in Frankston, Mornington, Rosebud and Hastings.
Anyone interested in joining the choir can visit mpwlc.com
First published in the Mornington News – 19 May 2026
