VISIONGondwana Choirs is the leader in Australian choral performance, shaping the Australian sound through the creation and presentation of innovative new work and providing opportunities to all talented young Australians through world-class training by leading artists.

TABLE OF CONTENTSWho we are / Our Choirs 4 WelcomeSydney Children’s Choir 25 YearsRepertoire and Australian WorksInternational Tours2014 HighlightsNational Choral SchoolWhite Night VoicesJandamarra: Sing for the CountryGondwana Voices Taiwan TourVoices of Angels MiraclesOur Choristers SpeakOur Families SpeakBoard of Directors2014 ArtistsSupportersPartnersConcise Financial Report2015 Gondwana Choirs StaffGondwana Choirs 2015

Gondwana Choirs wishes to show our respect and acknowledge the Traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia. We are committed to collaborating and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through music and song. In doing so, we know that Indigenous Australian cultures continue to strengthen and enrich our community.

2014ANNUAL REPORT

WHO WE AREGondwana Choirs comprises the most accomplished choral groups of young people in Australia. Founded by Artistic Director Lyn Williams OAM as Sydney Children’s Choir in 1989, the organisation has now grown to include Gondwana National Choirs and Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir. The organisation has premiered over 200 works by leading Australian composers and performs a significant number of Australian compositions each year nationally and internationally.

Singers from all three arms of the organisation, Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana National Choirs and Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir, have joined together on several occasions, most notably in 2014 with Sydney Symphony Orchestra for the world premiere performances of Jandamarra: Sing for the Country by Paul Stanhope.

Sydney Children’s Choir Sydney Children’s Choir is Sydney’s most prestigious and well-known vocal program for young singers of school age. Founded by Lyn Williams OAM in 1989, it comprises 22 training and performance ensembles and includes the Young Men’s Choir, formed in 2012 specifically for voices that have changed or are changing.

SCC has a distinguished history of commissioning and performing works of Australian composers, including Ross Edwards, Stephen Leek, Elena Kats-Chernin and Paul Stanhope. The singers in the program are intimately connected to contemporary and traditional repertoire throughout their training and the program’s graduates are well represented in the professional music industry nationally and internationally.

The senior performing choirs (including the newly-formed Lyn Williams Choir) are the leading ensembles within Sydney Children’s Choir. They regularly collaborate with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and other leading orchestras. Recent performances include Pique Dame by Tchaikovsky, Symphonies Nos 3 & 8 by Mahler, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Kullervo by Sibelius, War Requiem by Britten, Carmina Burana by Orff and Wozzeck by Berg.

International tours by the choir have included Japan, Finland and China. In 2013, the Senior Choir undertook its 10th and longest tour to Europe, with performances at the prestigious choral festival, Polyfollia, in Normandy; Notre Dame, Paris; Palau de la Mùsica, Barcelona; and in London at Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral.

National ChoirsEstablished by Lyn Williams in 1997, Gondwana National Choirs are truly national ensembles whose members come from throughout Australia and range in age from 10 - 26. They are the children of dairy farmers and miners, teachers and doctors, engineers, office workers and musicians. They perform music which is close to their hearts: new Australian works which capture the mystery and grandeur of our land and traditional works which display the cultural diversity of the Australian people. The work of the choirs is a powerful expression of the determination of young Australians to work together to create extraordinary musical ensembles. They form every January at the Gondwana National Choral School for intensive training and performances across 5 vocal ensembles, including programs for developing composers and conductors.

Gondwana Voices, Australia’s national children’s choir, regularly performs with the country’s leading ensembles. It tours nationally and internationally and has taken part in international choral festivals including the World Choral Symposium, Rotterdam; Amèrica Cantat, Mexico City; Polyfollia, Normandy; and Festival 500, Newfoundland.

In 2007 Gondwana Voices was the first Australian children’s choir to perform at the BBC Proms. It undertook a tour through the Eastern Kimberley in 2013 and completed a residency at the Taipei International Choral Festival in 2014. Australia’s national SATB youth choir Gondwana Chorale was established in 2008 and has performed throughout Australia, including regualr appearances with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. In 2013 it toured the UK and France.

Indigenous Children’s Choir Generously supported by its Principal Partner, Rio TintoCreated in 2008 by Lyn Williams, the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir (GICC) enables Indigenous young people from across Australia access to the same high standard of musical training and performance opportunities offered to all Gondwana Choirs’ choristers. The program instils pride, builds both confidence and career pathways, creates lasting relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous young Australians, and gives young people a platform from which to share their voice and culture with the nation and the world.

The GICC program is based out of choral hubs in Cairns and Campbelltown NSW where students rehearse western and traditional repertoire. GICC is unique and has become much-loved in the Indigenous music community, especially for its commitment to creating and performing songs in Indigenous languages, its pursuit of excellence and its embodiment of hope for the future. Through the GICC program, Gondwana Choirs has commissioned and created new works, including many in Indigenous languages, notably the children’s opera Ngailu, Boy of the Stars.

GICC have collaborated with many of Australia’s most respected Indigenous artists performed nationally and internationally, including the Australian War Memorial in Canberra at the Australian Defence Force ceremony recognising the contribution of Indigenous servicemen and women.

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VISIONGondwana Choirs is the leader in Australian choral performance, shaping the Australian sound through the creation and presentation of innovative new work and providing opportunities to all talented young Australians through world-class training by leading artists.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Gondwana Choirs shows respect to and acknowledges the Traditional custodians of the land throughout Australia. We are committed to collaborating with and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through music and song. In doing so, we know that Indigenous Australian cultures continue to strengthen and enrich our community.

WELCOME 425 YEARS 6RECORDINGS 9COMMISSIONS 10MAJOR TOURS 112014 CALENDAR 122014 HIGHLIGHTS 14OUR FAMILIES 19OUR CHORISTERS 20BOARD OF DIRECTORS 22SUPPORTERS 24RIO TINTO 262014 ARTISTS 28GONDWANA CHOIRS 2015 29CONCISE FINANCIAL REPORT 30

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WELCOMEKATE LIDBETTER, CHAIR GONDWANA CHOIRS’ BOARD

2014 marked the Silver Jubilee of Gondwana Choirs, which began its life in 1989 as Sydney Children’s Choir and has grown to national and international acclaim. Now encompassing up to 30 separate ensembles and providing life-changing opportunities for over 800 choristers aged 6 - 25, Gondwana Choirs has grown and developed over time to support the astonishing vision and energy of its founder and Artistic Director, Lyn Williams OAM. I congratulate Lyn on her many wonderful achievements both in this year of celebration and over the past 25 years.

In April 2014 we welcomed a new General Manager, Bernadette Heard, to the company. Bernie brought substantial experience to the role, coming from Sydney Youth Orchestras and prior to that the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s education program. Bernie’s energy and skill has been apparent to all and she swiftly earned the support and respect of staff, board, volunteers and choristers. I thank her for her dedication and hard work.

Financially, the organisation performed extremely well, finishing the year with a surplus of $27,967 despite a deficit

budget. This was in part due to excellent financial management by Bernie and her team, but also the result of some changes in staffing and an opportunity to participate in the Australian National War Memorial’s commemoration of World War 1. In 2013 the company posted a budgeted deficit and the board was pleased to see the budget return to surplus in 2014.

Among so many outstanding performances, a notable event was the annual Voices of Angels concert, which was urgently re-scheduled due to the tragic siege that occurred in Sydney in mid-December. I commend management and choristers for the professional manner in which they handled the situation despite great stress and uncertainty, and the concert – which commemorated 100 years since the WW1 Christmas

Truce – was all the more poignant for its timing. VOA was my final concert as a “choir mum” and I reflected on the generations of young people who have had so many formative experiences as part of this incredible performing arts company. How fortunate they are to express themselves through song, rather than experiencing war or hardship.

Collaborations were an important part of 2014, and I note in particular the performances of Jandamarra: Sing for Country with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. This project brought together all arms of the company and saw choristers from the Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Choir, and across Australia join their Sydney counterparts to present the world premiere of Paul Stanhope and Steve Hawke’s wonderful musical story. Partnerships with flagship companies like the SSO provide welcome recognition of the esteem in which Gondwana Choirs is held by the sector.

Our thanks go to all the many supporters of Gondwana Choirs, including Rio Tinto, Principal Partner of the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir, other corporate sponsors and donors, our government funding partners the Australia Council, Arts NSW and Indigenous Cultural Support and of course all of our wonderful individual donors and patrons. Every dollar donated by you makes a real difference and we are grateful.

Join me in exploring the pages of this report to learn more about the programs, performances and activities of this unique organisation.

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Voices of Angels Miracles

LYN WILLIAMS OAM, GONDWANA CHOIRS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR & FOUNDER

It is a great pleasure for me to reflect on the 25 year history of Gondwana Choirs. In the early days as the 2MBS FM Radio Children’s Choir, which soon evolved into the Sydney Children’s Choir, I just rehearsed in a small studio with a small yet enthusiastic group of children. In 2014 we were able to bring together hundreds of young people from our three programs to perform together alongside the Sydney Symphony orchestra in Paul Stanhope’s magnificent work, Jandamarra.

Each year since 1989 has seen so many highlights. A few that stand out today are of course the launch of SCC in 1989, the many overseas tours including a performance at the BBC Proms, singing at dawn from the Opera House to welcome in the new millennium, our long association with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, two incredible tours with the Australian Chamber Orchestra, trips to remote Australia including the Torres Strait and the Kimberley and singing at the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympics. Ask me again tomorrow and I would have a completely new list.

Today, hundreds of children and young people enjoy singing with Gondwana each year. As Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana have grown, so has the choral landscape in Australia developed alongside us. In 1989 it would have been inconceivable to have so many young Sydney-siders in the SCC let alone 300 singers at National Choral School and even less so, a thriving indigenous children’s choir program.

Another mark of this changing landscape is the repertoire we perform. Through our commissioning program and singing of traditional Indigenous works, Gondwana is making a significant cultural contribution.

Our choirs delight audiences with their engaging performances. We are extremely proud of our choral education programs that support our choristers’ development and of our remarkable artistic staff who create the magical performances that are the hallmark of Gondwana. Many have also commented that they recognise someone who has grown up through SCC or Gondwana by their dedication to artistic excellence.

It would be difficult to find a more passionate and dedicated group of administration and operations staff than the current Gondwana team. Their resilience, determination and good humour ensured our safe passage through some very challenging times in 2014. I owe a huge thanks to Bernie Heard for her gentle yet resolute leadership throughout the year.

I would also like to thank the Board of Gondwana Choirs and in particular the enormous contribution of our Chair Kate Lidbetter and of David Longmuir.

In closing, I would like to honour the memory of our beautiful young Cairns chorister Shantae Warria and to praise the love and courage of her fellow choristers who bravely sang in her memory at the funeral.

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Shantae Warria

1989 Sydney Children’s Choir is launched in the Great Hall of The University of Sydney. Performance features a new work and several arrangements by prominent Australian composer Stephen Leek

1990 SCC performs at Australia Day Celebrations in Darling Harbour1992 SCC undertakes its first international tour to Indonesia and Singapore,

supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade1993 The first performance of SCC with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in

Symphony No.8 by Mahler1995 The first SCC subscription series includes the first of many commissions:

The Mahogany Ship by Michael Atherton, and Shadowings by Stephen Leek. The Mahogany Ship is later released as our first CD

1996 SCC performances at the World Symposium on Choral Music in Sydney

1997 Gondwana Voices is created by Lyn with over 60 choristers taking part in the inaugural season The final concert is held in St James Church, conducted by Lyn and guest conductor Mark O’Leary, in association with Sydney Festival

1998 Gondwana Voices records its first CD Voices of Gondwana in Newcastle

1999 The first international tour for Gondwana Voices with SCC is to Europe and Hong Kong. It represents Australia as one of three children’s choirs from around the world selected to perform in Songbridge 2000 at the 5th World Symposium of Choral Music in Rotterdam

2000 SCC performs a new commission, Dawn Mantras by Ross Edwards, at dawn from the top of the Sydney Opera House to herald the new millennium

As part of the Olympic Arts Festival in Sydney, SCC and Gondwana Voices perform Symphony No. 8 by Mahler at the Super Dome, joining Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sydney Philharmonia, Melbourne Chorale, Canberra Choral Society and City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus

SCC performs at Sydney Olympic Games Opening Ceremony2001 Gondwana Voices performs the Centennial Ceremony at Australia’s

Centenary of Federation, Sydney Gondwana Voices performs A New Gondwana by Stephen Leek atop

of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The performance is broadcast by ABC America and the European television networks to millions of viewers across the world

Gondwana Voices performs Michael Leunig’s Parables, Lullabies and Secrets with Michael Leunig, Neil Finn and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, conducted by Lyn Williams. The concerts were performed in Newcastle, Canberra, Wollongong, Sydney and Melbourne

SCC performs the first Christmas with the Symphony with Gondwana Voices, Sydney Children’s Choir and Sydney Symphony Orchestra

2002 SCC undertakes a European Tour with performances at Lichfield Festival, UK; World Civil Society forum, Geneva; and concerts in France, The Vatican, Italy and Singapore

2003 Gondwana Voices tours the USA with concerts and workshops with

25 YEARS2014 marked 25 years since the formation of Sydney Children’s Choir and the continuous leadership and guidance by Artistic Director and Founder Lyn Williams OAM. The following pages document some of the highlights and achievements of those 25 years.

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Above: Sydney Children’s Choir is the official choir of the City of Sydney, 1992Below: SCC aboard the Tall Ships in Sydney Harbour, 1995

Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus, Chicago; Voices of Youth and concerts with Indianapolis Children’s Choir; Youth Pro Musica, Boston; Eastman Bach Children’s Choir, Rochester; and an Easter Sunday performance in St Matthew’s Church, Bedford, New York

2004 Gondwana Voices appears as Guest Choir at the Festival of South American Choirs, America Cantat 4 in Mexico City

Lyn Williams is awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of her services to the Arts.

2005 Gondwana Voices records Dreamings, a CD of Australian works for ABC Classics

Gondwana Voices joins with West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Black Swan Theatre Company for world premiere performances of For those in Peril on the Sea by Gordon Kerry

2006 National Choral School consists of Gondwana Voices, Junior Gondwana and Gondwana Chamber Choir and a sell-out concert in Melbourne is broadcast by ABC Classic FM. Chamber Choir is the forerunner to Gondwana Chorale

Gondwana Voices gives the world premiere performances of Vexations and Devotions by Brett Dean at Perth International Arts Festival with West Australian Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under conductor Matthias Bamert

Gondwana Voices performed at both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Melbourne 2006 Commonwealth Games

SCC gives the first Voices of Angels end of year concert in conjunction with City Recital Hall Angel Place

2007 SCC gives the world premiere performance of Resonance – A Heritage in Song, a multi-art form work exploring stories of inspiration, hardship, and joy in the lives of choristers and their families featuring music by choristers and Paul Jarman

Gondwana Voices undertakes its 10th Anniversary International Tour to Festival 500, Canada; Polyfollia Festival, France; and the BBC Proms, London. Gondwana Voices is the first Australian children’s choir to be invited to the BBC Proms and performed Brett Dean Vexations and Devotions with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus under David Robertson

2008 Gondwana Voices performances with the Australian Chamber Orchestra of the world premiere of The Red Tree in Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne and Brisbane

The inaugural season of Gondwana Indigenous Children Choir in Sydney brings together 44 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from Qld and NSW who join with Gondwana Voices and Sydney Children’s Choir to perform at the papal arrival as part of World Youth Day festivities

SCC gives 2 performances of the Voices of Angels Christmas concert with Gondwana Voices and the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir

2009 Torres Strait Islander members of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir and SCC give the world premiere performance of the children’s opera Ngailu, Boy of the Stars, with Sydney Children’s Choir at City Recital Hall Angel Place

Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir participates in the recording and filming of Qantas’ I Still Call Australia Home advertising campaign. Chorister Tyus sang the introduction to I Still Call Australia

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Above: Lyn and SCC choristers c.1995Middle: Gondwana Voices 2007Below: World Youth Day 2008

Home in Kala Lagaw Ya language SCC performs at the APRA|AMCOS Classical Music Awards Lyn Williams is honoured with the Choral or Vocal Work of the Year for her composition A Flock of Stars2010 National Choral School in Sydney features a collaboration with Synergy Percussion and includes new commissions

from Christopher Gordon and Graham Leak SCC teams Ben Van Tienen and the Art Gallery of NSW as our first Composer in Residence attached to a cultural

institution Gondwana Choirs celebrates its 21st Birthday with Voices of Celebration at the Sydney Opera House, combining

choristers from all arms of the company and alumni SCC tours to China with performances at the International Society for Music Education World Conference, Beijing;

the Forbidden City Concert Hall, Beijing, which was filmed and re-broadcast on Chinese Central Television several times; and at Beijing’s spectacular Capital M restaurant

GICC choristers from Cairns, Sydney and Thursday Island are involved in the filming of Oprah’s Grand Finale at the Opera House

2011 SCC Composer in Residence is Ruth McCall at the Royal Botanical Gardens Lyn Williams undertakes a 4-month residency in Cairns, which leads to the founding of Cairns Gondwana

Indigenous Children’s Choir SCC performs with the You Tube Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney Opera House SCC perform the first instalment of Lord of The Rings Concerts with Sydney Symphony Orchestra GICC performs at the NAIDOC Season Ball, Sydney2012 National Choral School features guest artist Felix Riebl, singer, songwriter and musician Gondwana Chorale is featured at the Four Winds Festival in Bermagui, NSW SCC Composer in Residence is Luke Byrne at the Powerhouse Museum Gondwana Choirs Innovations Patrons is launched with a recital at Government House. Included on the program

is the Magnificat by Porpora SCC performs Pique Dame (Queen of Spades) by Tchaikovsky with SSO under Vladimir Ashkenazy 2013 Gondwana Chorale tours the UK and France, including performances at St John’s Square and L’eglise de la

Madeleine Campbelltown Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir (CamGICC) formed in south-western Sydney GICC undertake a tour to the Eastern Kimberley The 10th and longest tour to Europe by SCC with performances in Barcelona, Lyon, Normandy (at the world’s most

prestigious choral festival, Polyfollia), Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral GICC perform at the Corroboree Festival, Sydney SCC perform in 2 presentations of the War Requiem by Benjamin Britten with Sydney Symphony Orchestra under

its Chief Conductor and Artistic Director Vladimir Ashkenazy

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National Choral School, 2012

1995 The Mahogany Ship and Songs of the Earth Works by Michael Atherton and Stephen Leek Sydney Children’s Choir conducted by Lyn Williams 1997 Shall We Dream? Songs by Michael Atherton, Stephen Leek, Lyn Williams, Elliott Gyger Sydney Children’s Choir conducted by Lyn Williams

1998 Voices of Gondwana Music by Stephen Leek, Michael Atherton, Lyn Williams, Carl Vine,

Claude Debussy and Zoltán Kodály Gondwana Voices conducted by Lyn Williams, Mark O’Leary and Kari

Ala-Pöllänen

2003 New Light New Hope Music by Stephen Leek, Paul Jarman, Elena Kats-Chernin, Lyn Williams Gondwana Voices conducted by Lyn Williams and Mark O’Leary

2004 Eternity: The Timeless Music of Australia’s Composers Compilation featuring Dawn Mantras by Ross Edwards ABC Classics

2005 Life is Beautiful, Volume 1 Compilation featuring Ave Maria Gondwana Voices conducted by Lyn Williams ABC Classics

2006 Dreamings Music by Lyn Williams, Elena Kats-Chernin, Stephen Leek, Brett Dean,

Michael Atherton, Dan Walker Gondwana Voices conducted by Lyn Williams and Mark O’Leary

2008 Legends & Dreams Compilation including Dawn Mantras by Ross Edwards ABC Classics

2008 Voices of Angels Christmas Music by Mendelssohn, Rutter and Walker and traditional music

arranged by Lyn Williams Gondwana Voices & Sydney Children’s Choir conducted by Lyn Williams

2009 The First Nowell Compiliation of Christmas Music Featuring Gondwana Voices conducted by Lyn Williams ABC Classics

2010 Mahler: Symphony No 8 in E-Flat Major Symphony of a Thousand Vladimir Ashkenazy conducts Lilli Paasikivi, Sydney Children’s Choir,

Gondwana Voices, Sydney Philharmonia, Sydney Symphony Orchestra

2013 Vexations and Devotions Music by Brett Dean. BBC Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, Gondwana

Voices conducted by David Robertson

Other recordings include the ABC Swoon compilations and motion picture soundtracks, including Happy Feet 1 & 2, Moulin Rouge & Australia

RECORDINGS

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PREMIERESIn its 25-year history, Gondwana Choirs has commissioned and premiered a significant amount of music by Australian composers. You can find more information regarding this extensive list of over 200 new works on our website at gondwana.org.au* denotes commissioned by Gondwana Choirs† denotes works commissioned through the Composer in Residence and Emerging Composers programs

Owen Ambarchi & Eugene Ball TrajectoriesMichael Atherton The Mahogany Ship* Songs for Imberombera* Kalliopeia Sopha* Magpies*Tony Backhouse Save me some Grace*Lou Bennett Just One World* (arr. Dan Walker) Koorah-KoorieColin Bright Sun Woman*Nigel Butterley Towards Autumm*Luke Byrne Kites † Travelling Companion † The Number One train † Vision of the Future † Wise Men Three*Alice Chance The Shakespeare Room †Meta Cohen The Sunless Sea †Brett Dean Tracks and Traces*Ross Edwards Dawn Mantras Dawn Canticle* Symphony No. 5: Promised Land; Miracles*Elliott Gyger I am not yet born* Fire in Heavens*Josie Gibson Things That Go Bump in the Night †Christopher Gordon Onwards and Upwards* Spin Globe Spin* Joy to the World Song of Hope Peace on Earth Mud Song*Fyfe Hutchins A Stray Dog for CongratulationsPaul Jarman Heritage in Song* Turn on the open sea* (includes Shackleton, Sea of Berries, Volta do ma Largo) The Will to Climb Ancient City* Australia Day Suite

Elena Kats-Chernin Doo Deep Sea Dreaming (original version) Memorial Rag* Deep Sea Dreaming (piano

version)* Butterflying (piano version)* Butterflying (orchestral version) When I Grow Up* Meeting the SunGordon Kerry For Those in Peril on the Sea Requiem TropesRubina Kimiia Voice in me* Many Voices, One Dream (with Sally Whitwell)Corey Kirk Corey’s Song (arr. Lyn Williams)Annie Kwok Waking Dreamer Travelling † Living the Dream† I am not a number † Corner of the Sea † Who am I? †Graeme Leak Everything in Front of Me*Julian Lee The Daffodils*Stephen Leek Voices of a Land* Songs of the Earth* Shadowings* Songs for the Young* Voices of Gondwana Seasons of Fire* Our New Dream Time* A New Gondwana Currawong Dreaming* The Mountain* Songs of our Journey* Let Peace*Max Lyandvert Close your Little EyesRuth McCall Giant Tree Cannon † Herb Soup † Dome † Fuzzy Aussie † Sacred Lotus †Ian Munro Songs from Badtown*Matthew Orlovich The Paean*

Felix Riebl Gloria Dreamers in SpaceAndrew Schultz Little Tree Three songs from the Maritimes*Paul Stanhope Frosty the snowman: an inconvenient

truth* Ground Zero* The Acrobat* Lament to St. Cecilia* Losing the Plot* The Flying Dream Jandamarra: Sing for the CountryRichard Tognetti, Brett Dean, Neil Finn, Michael Leunig, John Rogers & Paul Healy Parables, Lullabies and SecretsJoseph Twist Benedicto † Wolcum Yole! Space Kangaroo † Rocket Ship Countdown † I don’t want to live on the moon † Goodnight † La-La Land † Lux Aeterna* Carols Medley* Rain DreamBen Van Tienen Fisherman Returning Home † Just one Star* Giggle Picnic † Sea of Clouds † Some Days † Stairway to Nowhere † The Boy who sticks out his Tongue †Nick Wales Hanerot HalaluDan Walker Sky Song* The Bone* Road Poem* High Street* The Unicorn* Belonging* Orestias* Guurumali* Tu es Petrus Russian Christmas Carol

Arrangements* Ngailu, Boy of the Stars* Hannukah Medley* Land Sleeps, Ocean Rests Heartland Mirror*

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MAJOR TOURS1992 Indonesia and Singapore for Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade SCC1994 Japan: Tokyo, Yokohama, Hamamatsu, Marugame, Nagasaki and Fukushima SCC1997 First European tour and Singapore SCC1999 1st international tour to Europe & Hong Kong Gondwana Voices2002 Europe: UK, Switzerland, France, The Vatican, Italy & Singapore SCC2003 USA: Chicago, Indianapolis Boston, Rochester & New York Gondwana Voices2004 Mexico Gondwana Voices 2005 Japan SCC2007 Europe: Estonia, Denmark SCC Canada, France, UK Gondwana Voices 2008 East Coast of Australia with the Australian Chamber Orchestra Gondwana Voices 2009 New Zealand Gondwana Voices 2010 USA: Choristers from GICC perform at G’day LA 2010 China SCC China: 10 choristers from GICC perform at Shanghai World Expo2011 USA and Canada: Seattle, Vancouver, Whistler, Chicago, Toronto, & New York Gondwana Voices2011 New Zealand Gondwana Chorale2012 China Gondwana Voices2013 Kununurra & Warmun, Western Australia GNICC & Gondwana Voices Europe: Spain, France, UK SCC2014 Taipei/Taiwan Gondwana Voices

Dan Walker continued The Arrival* Pot-Pourri de Comptines Françaises* Voices Finale* Aftermath Cat-Tales* The Arafura* Bawrunga - Carpet Snake Country* Coutt’s Crossing* Nagoya My Home* Pioneers of True North* The Dancers* Spirit of Christmas

Sally Whitwell Many Voices, One Dream* (with Rubina Kimiia) Ring out, wild bells* Downsized Bricks, Mortar and Water Fah Rah Field Hear the Wind Hodie Christus natus est Flew Here on a Bird Six Months in a Leaky Boat Lost in Space (with choristers) Old Man Platypus The Pizza Why

Lyn Williams Lilly Pilly Leonardo Children of Quietness Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis* Hooray for Fish* Festive Alleluia Ferry me across the water Uphill Islands The Wind Torres Strait Island ArrangementsLisa Young Tha Thin Tha*Michael Yezerski The Red Tree (with Richard Tognetti)

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Left: Ngailu, Boy of the Stars 2009Right: SCC performs in St John’s Smith Square, London 2013

2014 CALENDARJANUARY6-18 National Choral School Macquarie University National Choirs, Gondwana Conducting Academy,

Gondwana Composer School, Gondweenies 18 National Choral School Concerts Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music National Choirs

FEBRUARY22 White Night Voices Melbourne Town Hall. Gondwana Voices27-29 Robertson conducts John Williams Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House SCC Senior Choir, Young Men’s Choir & Alumni with

Sydney Symphony Orchestra

APRIL11 Gartner Global Incentive Sydney Opera House SCC Senior & Junior Performing Choirs 13 Sunday Recital Chapter Hall, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney SCC Senior Choir & Young Men’s Choir

MAY10 National Breast Cancer Foundation Mother’s Day High Tea David Jones, Sydney Sydney Children’s Choir 24 Sydney Children’s Choir at the Powerhouse Powerhouse Museum, Ultimo SCC Junior Performing Choirs

JUNE29 Sydney Children’s Choir Winter Concerts Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music SCC Training & Junior Performing Choirs

JULY5, 6, 7 The Chimney Sweep with Pinchgut Opera City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney Sydney Children’s Choir Junior Performing Choirs9 Indigenous Servicemen Recognition Event for the Australian

Defence Force Australian War Memorial, Canberra GICC 16, 17, 18 Jandamarra: Sing for the Country Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Chorale, Gondwana

Indigenous Children’s Choir with Sydney Symphony Orchestra

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Top: SCC Winter Concert Minis Middle: Winter Concert Campbelltown GICC & outreach programBelow: Gondwana Voices in Taiwan

21-28 Taiwan Farewell Concert & Tour Sydney Conservatorium and Taiwan Gondwana Voices

AUGUST22 IAG Event with Jessica Mauboy Sydney Opera House Marquee SCC Junior Performing Choirs & Campbelltown GICC23 Musical Tribute for Governor Dame Marie Bashir Concert Hall, Sydney Opera House Sydney Children’s Choir6 Sacred Visions Concert St James Church, Sydney SCC Senior Choir & Young Men’s Choir 18 Cape York Leaders Dinner Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, Cairns Cairns GICC20 G20 Finance Ministers’ Meeting Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns Cairns GICC21 Springtime Concerts Shore School, North Sydney SCC Training & Junior Performing Choirs

SEPTEMBER3 Indigenous Literacy Day Joan Sutherland Theatre Foyer, Sydney Opera House SCC Junior Performing Choirs & Campbelltown GICC

OCTOBER27 Open Rehearsal with special guest William Barton The Wharf Rehearsal Room, Millers Point GICC28 Business Council of Australia Gala Dinner Westin Hotel, Sydney GICC

NOVEMBER21 Tourism Tropical North Queensland Awards Cairns Cruise Liner Terminal, Cairns Cairns GICC

DECEMBER6 Voices of Little Angels Shore School, North Sydney SCC Junior Choirs9 IRT Christmas Event Campbelltown IRT Campbelltown GICC 16 Voices of Angels Miracles City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney SCC Junior & Senior Performing Choirs, Young Men’s

Choir & members of Gondwana National Choirs

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Top: Musical Tribute for Dame Marie Bashir, Governor of NSWMiddle: Business Council of Australia Gala Dinner with William BartonBelow: Voices of Little Angels

2014 HIGHLIGHTS

Since its inception in 1997, what began as simply “Gondwana Voices” has grown organically into the National Choral School of today, now featuring five wonderful ensembles, a Conducting Academy, Composer School and International Guest Artists. With a record 306 participants (increase of 10% from 2013) coming together from all over Australia, NCS was held once again on the grounds of Macquarie University, Sydney.

National Choral School’s reputation for choral excellence is due to the incredibly high calibre of the artistic staff - conductors, pianists and composers. Carl Crossin OAM and Paul Holley prepared Gondwana Chorale in a wide variety of contemporary and historical repertoire for recording sessions which followed NCS. Mark O’Leary led Gondwana Voices during NCS, with a large part of their season dedicated to the development and recording of the Voices project (see following page).

This year, the wealth of young women singers who auditioned gave us the opportunity to create a new choir, now called Gondwana Cantique. The newly-formed choir debuted successfully, singing new works composed for them by Dan Walker and Sally Whitwell in addition to works from the European tradition of music for young women’s voices.

For the first time, the students in Gondwana Composer School participated in the entire 2 weeks of NCS. Program Directors Paul Stanhope and Christopher Gordon guided and helped shape the newly created works that were rehearsed and sung by the choirs in an in-house concert. Two of these new works were chosen to be sung

at the final concerts at The Concourse.

Gondwana NCS Composer in Residence Lisa Young, of Australian a capella ensemble Coco’s Lunch, had her newly commissioned work Tha Thin Tha performed by the combined National Choral School ensembles at the

It was an honour and a pleasure to welcome Simon Carrington (Yale Professor Emeritus and founder of The King’s Singers) as our International Guest Artist in 2014. As well as working with all the choirs, Simon presented choral conducting masterclasses with members of the Gondwana Conducting Academy. Our enthusiastic young conductors were also working intensively with Graeme Morton (University of Queensland School of Music) and attended the Conductors Forum with the Artistic Staff that was held each night.

Thanks to the support of the James N Kirby Foundation, we were able to offer nearly twice as many bursaries as last year – 44 choristers received full or partial bursaries to National Choral School.

A parent of a bursary recipient writes:

My son has always been a happy child but he’s happiest when he sings. So thank you for making that possible.

Gondweenies, a week-long day camp for aspiring singers aged 8 – 12 not yet old enough to attend the full-time residential choral school, was another new program added to National Choral School 2014, led by Nicole Thomson.

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Above: Simon Carrington conducts the massed voices of National Choral School at the Concourse, Sydney

NATIONAL CHORAL SCHOOL

The young singers from Gondwana Voices, Australia’s internationally renowned national children’s choir, took part in a multi- faceted choral installation work, called VOICES, for White Night in Melbourne. Each chorister created a small, theatrically lit diorama capturing an important moment in their lives, or that of one of their ancestors. The installation displayed each diorama together with video projections of each child as they sang a composition they wrote based on their own special story. The stories, 42 in all, shared through song explored a wide range of factual events, emotions and situations – from dramatic journeys and escapes, to simple natural beauties – stories of great sadness to stories of hope, joy and comedy.

The installation performance began with instrumental music and relative darkness. One diorama was then illuminated with a larger-than-life video of the child singing their song appearing above the diorama. After around 15 seconds, a second diorama was illuminated by the accompanying video of this child singing their song. The songs are quite musically independent of each other, yet because they are based on the same scale, the overall effect creates a rich yet harmonious texture. One by one each of the 42 voices and videos joined the others on 6 large screens until all 42 children are seen and heard. The audience experienced each magnificent voice with a great sense of intimacy; circulating around the space, they heard each child’s story and saw their very

personal dioramas. The climax of the work occured when all of the voices blended into one majestic and moving finale composed by Dan Walker, with the generous financial support of Jill Wran.

Approximately 14,000 festival-goers experienced VOICES at White Night Melbourne, with many staying to listen time and time again.

The Herald Sun called VOICES “White Night’s most affecting display.”

VOICES installation is a concept by Lyn Williams OAM and Andrew Walsh AM.

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WHITE NIGHT VOICES

July 2014 witnessed a significant milestone for Gondwana Choirs: 200 Gondwana choristers took to the stage of the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall to join the Sydney Symphony Orchestra in the premiere of Jandamara: Sing for the Country by Paul Stanhope. This commission was the brainchild of Artistic Director Lyn Williams and Peter Czornyj and was generously supported by Gondwana Choirs and SSO donor, Vicki Ollson.

Jandamarra was a warrior of the Bunuba people - a clever and courageous leader who defended his country against overwhelming odds. In Jandamarra: Sing for the Country, Paul Stanhope created a dramatic cantata for large

forces, including soloists, children’s choir, narrators, a large orchestra and Indigenous singers and dancers.

The combined choral forces brought together Gondwana Chorale, Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir and a specially-assembled choir of secondary school students.

We are grateful to IAG, who generously supported the travel of our Cairns Indigenous Children’s Choir, and our SCC families, who provided them a home away from home during the porject.

Of this tour-de-force, Clive Paget wrote in Limelight Magazine:

Chief honours must go to the various ensembles of Gondwana Choirs ... Immaculately drilled, the young voices offered an object lesson in choral discipline, singing with focussed tone and palpable enthusiasm.

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JANDAMARRA: SING FOR THE COUNTRY

In July, Gondwana Voices visited Taiwan to perform at the Taipei International Choral Festival under the leadership of conductors Lyn Williams and Mark O’Leary. In preparation for the tour, Gondwana Voices rehearsed in Sydney, with interstate choristers billeted by Sydney host families. The choir gave a farewell concert for family and friends at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music on 21 July.

The following day, 32 choristers with artistic and administrative staff and supervisors flew to Kaohsiung via Hong Kong on an overnight flight. What followed was an extremely busy schedule of concerts and travelling. The choir gave performances at the Ping Tung Art Museum, Tainan Municipal Cultural Centre, Hall of Cultural Bureau, Yuanlin Performance Hall and Taipei National Concert Hall.

The repertoire in the concerts was primarily Australian, including songs by James Ledger, Michael Atherton, Paul Jarman, Neil Finn, Dan Walker and wonderful arrangements of Torres Strait Island songs by Lyn.

Non-musical activities included the Confucius Temple in Tainan, seeing pandas at the Taipei Zoo, a cable car ride to the top of Maokong Mountain, the National Palace Museum and the famous Danshui night market. The highlight was taking the high speed elevator to the top of Taipei 101 in 37 seconds and naturally there were many dumpling stops along the way.

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GONDWANA VOICES TAIWAN TOUR

Gondwana Choirs’ annual Christmas Concert, Voices of Angels, is one of the musical highlights of Sydney’s festive season. In 2014, we departed from our traditional presentations of festive joy to commemorate the extraordinary events of the 1914 Christmas Truce, with Lyn Williams directing the combined forces of Sydney Children’s Choir and members of Gondwana National Choirs.

The centenary of this remarkable event that witnessed the silencing of rifles along the Western Front in exchange for seasonal goodwill was celebrated in evocative performances of the songs and carols that momentarily united the warring sides. In another significant commission for the occasion, Gondwana Choirs gave the world premiere performance of Miracles by legendary Australian composer Ross Edwards,

which contrasts the purity of children’s voices singing a medieval Christmas text with fragments of the German carol O Tannenbaum sung by the Young Men’s Choir, whose members are close in age to the youngest soldiers in the trenches.

The commissioning of Miracles was made possible through the generous support of the Braden, Block, Playfair and Shepherd families.

The 2 performances of Voices of Angels Miracles were scheduled for 15 and 16 December at City Recital Hall Angel Place in the heart of Sydney CBD.

During the day of 15 December, tragic events began unfolding at the Lindt Café in Martin Place. As the day progressed, it became increasingly clear that the area was unsafe for our choristers and the decision was made to postpone that evening’s concert. Consequently, 2 performances of Voices of Angels were given on 16 December and the themes of Miracles and Peace on Earth have never seemed more appropriate or important in light of the events at the Lindt Cafe.

Gondwana Choirs wishes to thank all of our choristers, musicians and patrons who were involved in this special concert for their dedication, support and belief that we should present both concerts in the face of so much tragedy.

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VOICES OF ANGELS MIRACLES

OUR FAMILIESTHE AAY FAMILYQueensland

Put a dot in the centre of a map of Queensland and you’re pretty close to Barcaldine. That is where the Gondwana journey started for our family in 2009. A Gondwana brochure found its way into Gwenda’s pigeon hole at school. Our oldest daughter, Rinalda, was ten years old then and she loved music. We looked at the brochure and wondered what it would be like. It seemed like a magnificent opportunity for a little girl from outback Queensland (if she was good enough to get in!) to sing some amazing quality music and to get a glimpse of what a choir could really be like. We were going to be visiting family at audition time and would be only a couple of hours drive from an audition centre, so we rang the number on the brochure to find out some more and see if it was worth applying. And there the adventure began.

Rinalda started in Junior Gondwana at King’s School, Parramatta. Sending children off on planes to be met by people you don’t know requires some trust and courage, and we were not quite sure. Being protective parents, we decided to holiday in Sydney that year and camped at Windsor, not far away. We really knew nothing about the organisation and wanted to be close in case anything went wrong. But that was the end of our concerns. Rinalda had a magnificent time! She loved the hours of rehearsals with all the fantastic music and awesome conductors. She

loved meeting new people who were as crazy about music as she was: people who could sing in tune, and sight sing, and sing in lots of parts, and sing in the shower and enjoy a good laugh.

Yolanda turned 10 the next year and was keen to join the adventure. Not being quite as independent as her big sister, she was keen to have Mum go along and be a supervisor – and so Yolanda and I went together that year and began our adventure in Junior, while Rinalda was thrilled to be in Voices. Such fun! And an amazing learning time for me as I watched the various conductors at work.

Much to Jayden’s disgust, he still wasn’t old enough the next year. So he and Peter (Dad) dropped the three of us off at the airport in Brisbane – just. It was the year of the big flood, and we only just got passed the flood water and to the airport. Jayden and Peter had an enforced stay in Brisbane as they couldn’t go home.

Finally the time came when Jayden was old enough to go to. He was worried that he wouldn’t get in, and would never get to go! It was a very nervous audition. He too loved the Gondwana experience. Imagine – boys who love to sing and don’t mind who knows it!

Now Peter had to make a decision too: go on a holiday by himself or join the rest of his family at Gondwana as the only non-musical member. Despite initial reservations from Rinalda, he went and as they say ‘the rest is history’. He has

been four times now as one of the rare male supervisors, and has thoroughly enjoyed it! And guess what? He’s still male!

Our children have benefited so much from the musical challenges and experiences at National Choral School and on camps and tours within Australia and overseas.

They’ve had the privilege of working with the best of the best and the joy of achievement. Along the way they have made friends with some amazing people.

Gondwana and its supporters have been very generous to us, supporting us with bursaries when the cost of having 3 children involved has been prohibitive. We have received one more benefit: none of us will ever be short of a T-shirt! Our family must have the one of the biggest collections of Gondwana T shirts in history!

Jayden Aay

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The Aay family T shirt collection

OUR CHORISTERSEMILY GELINEAU National Choirs

My first day in Gondwana Voices, 5 years ago, was a whirlwind of excitement, making new life friends and singing every minute. I flew from Perth to Sydney and was the youngest, the shortest and the loudest! I was 11 years old and awestruck by the incredible members of Voices and the incredible level of musicianship. Never had I ever witnessed or been in a youth ensemble with all of these capabilities before, and it made me work even harder through the years.

Since then I’ve attended 5 choral schools, various national and international tours including China and the Kimberley, and 3 Voices of Angels concerts.

Not a thing has changed since that first National Choral School. I am still amazed and excited about every piece of music we sing, and the friends who sing the music with me. I think that as choristers change from being young and excitable 11 year olds in their first year then onto older and responsible mentor figures that we all look up to in our younger years, we begin to understand the cycle of Gondwana.

The importance of mentoring and encouraging the next wave of choristers is what defines Gondwana and keeps the standard and enthusiasm of the choirs alive.

Gondwana aims to extend the hand of friendship through music and it is a place where like-minded people

can come together. Everyone enjoys learning every aspect of music as much as I do. I have been taught by the best and have had the opportunities to travel to amazing places to enjoy so many cultural contrasts of choral music.It gives me great joy that I am able to attend National Choral School and for this reason Gondwana is always on my

mind (and the minds of everyone else as well!) as I aim to improve upon my music during the year ahead.Away from Gondwana, I am involved in my school choir and a WA-based children’s choir and I like to bring my experiences from Gondwana in any way I can to both of these programs. The rehearsal techniques used in every Gondwana rehearsal are techniques that are so valuable and I aim to re-create these methods in any of my leading. Promoting and preserving the “Gondwana Style” is also something that every chorister achieves instinctively. The handpicked choristers show and demonstrate this unique skill and style which is what defines and makes Gondwana different to all other choirs and ensembles.

I’m also very fortunate that I have been able to combine my instrument skills, in particular my violin playing, within many concerts – the most recent being at Voices of Angels in December 2014. This concert was themed to commemorate the centenary of the Christmas Truce during the First World War. It was certainly a highlight of my time so far with Gondwana as it was during a time of shock and deep sadness and provided light and comfort

to the audience and to choristers as well. As I said at the beginning of the concert, “This VOA concert will be special in so many ways, and the words of every song we sing will hold a play in my heart forever and always. I dedicate every song to those held hostage.”

I cannot imagine my life now without the Gondwana experience. From the friendships I have made and the music I have learnt and looking forward throughout the year to Choral school in January. I hope I can continue my Gondwana journey for many years to come.

TAEG TWISTIndigenous Children’s Choir

“Welcome to Gondwana! Where no idea is wrong nor right and the composers and conductors are almost always insane”. Don’t ask me why I remember hearing this quote or who exactly it came from, but it has stuck with me to this very day and been one of themost significant sayings for the entirety of my journey in Gondwana.

I first joined Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir in 2009. My audition in Cairns led to my very first performance in a choir and out of my small town, landing me at the WoodfordDreaming Festival. Young, scared and naïve I quickly discovered a whole new life. I may not have realised it then, but now I can confidently say Gondwana is my second home.

Working with some of the leading

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composers and conductors of Australia and the world, I have endeavoured through trial and error and conquered aspects in which I don’t believe I would’ve even attempted otherwise. Not only in music but all other areas of my life.

Thanks to Gondwana, my confidence, creativity, perspective and input in this world was given shape and meaning when I discovered that music was a universal tongue. Gondwana has taught me this.

Through GICC I have performed in places such as Melbourne (V8 Grand Prix), Canberra (ANZAC Memorial service, Parliament House), Sydney (Oprah Winfrey Show, Olympians arrival home, Opera House) and so much more.

Travelling to the diverse extremes such as small rural communities like Kununurra and having the great privilege of performing in their local schools and communities. Then vice versa, internationally in cities with skyscrapers galore, such as Shanghai, China for theWorld Expo. To name a few musicians I have proudly worked alongside with Jessica Mauboy, William Barton, Paul Stanhope, Dan Walker, Russell Crowe, Hugh Jackman, Sally Whitwell, Gabriella Cilmi, Olivia Newton-John, Dan Sultan, Keith Urban and so many more!

It’s rather unbelievable that thanks to one amazing woman, who barely reaches your shoulders, with one remarkable vision and an awe-inspiring team to support and guide her views, that so

many lives everywhere are able to have such a positive impact. Through my various encounters of great music and glorious atmosphere developed from it, Iunderstand that whilst music may not be the career path I wish to pursue it will always be an enormous part of my identity and being.

LACHLAN MASSEYSydney Children’s Choir

On Saturday the 18th of February 2006, I arrived at a Sydney Children’s Choir mini-singers rehearsal. I walked into an unfamiliar rehearsal room at the Wharf, put on my first ever SCC polo, and took part in the proceedings. Almost ten years, nine choirs, three international tours and 42 performances with the Sydney Symphony later, I still rehearse there in the same rehearsal room but now with rehearsals led by Sam Allchurch.

Gondwana Choirs have given me the opportunity to do some seriously insane musical things. I can still remember my reaction when we arrived in Barcelona at the Palau de la Música as part of our European tour. I had read in an ad that the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra was to perform in the same hall the very next night. My reaction that followed was a mixture of ‘Oh my goodness – I’m standing on the same stage as Sir Simon Rattle!’, and ‘Shivers: If I fail, could this be the end of my career at just 13?’ Not only has Gondwana given me the opportunity to sing, but also to conduct, compose, accompany on piano and even attend the odd corporate meeting.

In a funny way, the choir has given me opportunities which far exceed almost every non-Gondwana music student I know – opportunities that (no matter how hard you practise), don’t come through pure talent or even hard work.

These opportunities aren’t a right – they’re a gift, and they’re a very special gift that only Gondwana Choirs can give.

Also importantly, being part of Gondwana Choirs has given me the opportunity to attend the Conservatorium High School as part of the Junior Vocal Stream, meaning that I can sing and see lots of choir faces every day!

For me, 2014 was a year (very literally) unlike any other. The transition from Soprano 1 to Bass 2 was relatively easy. It had been almost five years to the day since I had begun Senior Choir – and nine since I had begun SCC – and it was the start of a completely new adventure. Young Men’s Choir has a completely different dynamic to any other choir of the Gondwana family, and I seriously love it!

I’ve been a chorister of Gondwana Choirs for just under 40% of the organisation’s total history – and I aim to never truly leave. Generations of Gondwana choristers, conductors and administrators will, and already have, come and gone, but I just can’t face the fact that I might have to grow up and leave one day! On that note, I’d better enjoy it while I still can. Here’s to many more years of Gondwana!

Taeg with Benny Walker

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Lachlan Voices of Angels 2009

BOARD OF DIRECTORSKATE LIDBETTER Chair

Kate Lidbetter is Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Services International, which provides a range of services and products to Australian and international orchestras. Her previous roles have included Director of Music at the Australia Council for the Arts, Artist Development Manager of Symphony Australia, Artistic Administrator of the Australian Youth Orchestra and General Manager of Sydney Children’s Choir.

In addition to her role on the board of Gondwana Choirs, Kate is a Councillor on the Music Council of Australia and a director of Accessible Arts NSW. From 2012-14 she was chair of contemporary music group Ensemble Offspring. She regularly participates on panels, committees and juries for various music organisations in Australia and abroad.

Kate’s passion for Gondwana Choirs began in 1994 when she joined the company as General Manager and was subsequently on the board for a period of time. Her son Vincent became a chorister in 2008 and until 2014 sang in the Young Men’s Choir for boys with changing voices. Kate has observed the many positive outcomes Vincent achieved and wants as many children as possible to have these experiences.

NICHOLAS JAMES

Nicholas James is a Director of Campus Living Funds Management, a position he has held since 2006.Nicholas has 30 years of global financial experience in investment banking, investment management and finance. He was Chief Executive Officer and prior to that Chief Financial Officer of Transfield Holdings from 2005 to 2015, during which time he was a member of the Transfield Holdings Advisory Board. He was with Deutsche Bank in London from 2004 to 2005 and with Macquarie Bank from 1993 to 2004 in Sydney, London and New York and prior to that with Westpac in Sydney.

Nicholas’ interest in Gondwana Choirs came about through his son, who is an ex-chorister. Nicholas takes great pleasure in providing his financial and management skills to the organisation, helping to facilitate the opportunities for the sensational young singers who journey through Gondwana

WARREN LEE

From an initial background as a mergers and acquisitions lawyer with Freehills, Warren has more than 20 years’ experience working in, and advising on, traditional and new media. He has served as Director of Strategy and Corporate Development at the Ten Network, FOXTEL and News Limited and was a Director at boutique investment bank, Grant Samuel. Warren was the CEO of Liberty One, Australia’s first publicly listed online business, and the founding CEO of APN Online, a separate division of APN News & Media established early in 2006 to consolidate APN’s existing online properties and to develop further online assets.

Apart from the Gondwana Choirs Board, Warren also sits on the World Nomads Board (one of Australia’s leading travel insurance providers) and is an ambassador of the Powerhouse Museum.Warren’s daughter, Tabitha, was a member of both Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana Voices.

DAVID LONGMUIR

David has qualifications in engineering, business management and applied finance and is a co-founder of the bespoke infrastructure services business, Everything Infrastructure. In 2000, after attending an uplifting Sydney Children’s Choir concert, David’s eldest daughter, Sophie, decided she wanted to join the choir. A few years later, Henrietta, David’s youngest daughter, also became an SCC chorister. David volunteered as an SCC supervisor, helping out at camps, concerts and even on an overseas tour. David and his wife, Libby, also helped out by billeting many wonderful young choristers from across Australia and around the world. More recently, Henrietta sang and toured with Gondwana Voices in 2008 and 2009 and with Gondwana Chorale in 2012 and 2013. Not to be outdone, Sophie sang with Gondwana Chorale in 2010 and 2011. In 2003, David became a Director of Gondwana Choirs to help develop and support the business as a leading professional arts organisation.

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DAVID LUMB

David is currently a senior manager at The National Roads & Motorists’ Association, with broad responsibility across a number of areas including membership, marketing communications, publishing and business intelligence. Previously he was the Managing Director of the Sydney office of a global public relations firm, having originally started his professional career as a corporate lawyer.

David is the father of four young children, the oldest of whom was a chorister in the Sydney Children’s Choir. He has a keen interest in music and in his younger days was an enthusiastic (if not entirely competent) bass trombonist.

KAREN LOUISE MUNDUNE

Karen Mundine is a proud Bundjalung woman from northern NSW. She is the Deputy CEO with Reconciliation Australia, and has a background of over 20 years’ experience in public advocacy, communications and social marketing.

Ceremony is at the heart of Aboriginal culture and Karen has always had a strong belief in the power of song and music to transform lives, break down barriers and unite people. Joining the Gondwana Choirs Board has given her the opportunity to apply her professional skills to her passions and to be a part of an inspiring arts organisation that nurtures the musical talent of today to become the artistic leaders of tomorrow.

Karen is particularly excited by the growth of the Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir and the opportunity for them to proudly share their stories and language with each other, their fellow choristers, other Australians, and the world. For Karen this is reconciliation in action.

LYN WILLIAMS OAM

Gondwana Choirs’ Artistic Director and Founder Lyn Williams is Australia’s leading director of choirs for young people. For 26 years, she has been the driving force behind Gondwana Choirs’ internationally acclaimed choral programs, working with hundreds of young Australian musicians each year. She has conducted Sydney Children’s Choir, Gondwana Voices, Gondwana Chorale and Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir nationally and internationally. Lyn Williams is a recipient of the 2006 NSW State Award (Classical Music Awards), a Churchill Fellow and a composer. In 2004 she was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of her services to the arts.

COMPANY SECRETARY

Rachel Hadfield (until May 2014)Bernie Heard (May 2014 to present)

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SUPPORTERSTHANKYOUto the individuals who supported Gondwana Choirs in 2014:

Anonymous (2)Melanie & Michael America David & Naomi BlockMartin & Frankie Braden Tom BradenAlexandra Cameron-FraserLisa ChungRichard & Gertraud CohenJohn & Debbie Cooper Kate & Daryl DixonAnita GreenGorbatov FamilyGrimshaw FamilyScott & Rachel HadfieldBernadette HeardMary Heath

Jennifer HershonDarryl & Katherine HodgkinsonLouise HughesSteve & Meredith HuntingfordNicholas & Deborah JamesKate Lidbetter & the Kerin Family Suzie Knight & Darren MelhopSiobhan LenihanDavid LongmuirDavid LumbBronwyn & Frank MacIndoeAnnette MilroyKaren MundinePhillip & Ellen NicholsonElizabeth & Ken NielsenVicki Olsson

Pieter & Elizabeth OomensJustin & Jacqui PlayfairSylvie Renaud-Calmel Shaw Family Bill & Maggie ShepherdClaudia StephensMichael Stuart-WattTodd Family John TuckerUpton Family Jackie WaterhouseHelen WilliamsLyn Williams OAMRay Wilson OAMRoewen WishartJill Wran

VOLUNTEERSIn 2014 our volunteer army consisted of 93 people, who contributed: SYDNEY CHILDREN’S CHOIR1596 hours supervising regular rehearsals700 hours supervising concerts & projects1264 hours supervising at camps NATIONAL CHOIRS143 hours supervising projects750 hours supervising on tour59 hours for auditions32 hours in the office240 hours at Gondweenies3340 hours at National Choral School INDIGENOUS CHILDREN’S CHOIR742 hours supervising rehearsals and projects That is a total of 8866 hours of volunteer time, or the equivalent of nearly 4.5 full-time positions. A sincere thank you to all of our volunteers for their contribution to Gondwana Choirs.

COMMISSIONSIn its 25 year history, Gondwana Choirs has commissioned more than 150 new compositions by Australian composers. You can help to continue this fine tradition and commission works either as an individual, with a group of friends or colleagues, or in part through our Innovations Patrons fund. Donors can attend rehearsals and meet with the Artistic team and composer to find out about how the new piece of music comes to life. To find out more, contact Bernie Heard on (02) 8274 7007.

BURSARIESAll parents hope to provide not just the essentials to their children, but those things that will nourish their talents. The reality is that some of our choir families face significant financial challenges. Gondwana Choirs’ Bursary Program directly helps families who are facing financial barriers to enable their children’s participation in Sydney Children’s Choir and Gondwana National Choirs. If you would like to know more about the Bursary Program, please contact Bernie Heard on (02) 8274 7007 or donate online at gondwana.org.au/bursaries

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PRINCIPAL PARTNER

INDIGENOUS CHILDREN’S CHOIR

GOVERNMENT PARTNERS

MAJOR PARTNERS

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

TRUSTS & FOUNDATIONS

EDUCATION PARTNERS

UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLANDCAIRNS STATE HIGH SCHOOL

CONSERVATORIUM HIGH SCHOOLBRIAR ROAD PUBLIC SCHOOL

THE E ROBERT HAYLES & ALISON HAYLES CHARITABLE TRUSTMANAGED BY PERPETUAL

SCANLON FOUNDATIONJAMES N. KIRBY FOUNDATIONIAN THORPE’S FOUNDATION FOR YOUTH

COLLIER CHARITABLE FUNDVINCENT FAIRFAX FAMILY FOUNDATIONSYDNEY COMMUNITY FOUNDATIONCLAYTON UTZ FOUNDATIONCROWN RESORT FOUNDATION

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RIO TINTO

Rio Tinto has been the Principal Partner of the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir (GICC) since 2012. In this time, this generous support has enabled the program to grow and thrive, providing extraordinary opportunities for young Indigenous people from throughout Australia. The GICC program aims to provide a comprehensive and developmental music education for participating young people aged 8 – 17 years. Gondwana Choirs’ expectations are high and we want to ensure that young people involved receive a well-rounded arts education, including not only singing, but music theory, sight-singing, composition, dance & movement, drama and visual arts.

HUBS

Most significantly, through Rio Tinto’s support, the program has evolved to now support two choral hubs in Cairns and Campbelltown, with plans to expand this activity to new regions. Hubs are developed in targeted regions providing long term, ongoing weekly musical training, rehearsals, performances, and mentoring for local artists and music educators. This deep engagement supports the highest artistic standards and community development, and is a proven model of success following the work in Cairns over the past six years.

The Campbelltown Hub meets every Tuesday of the school term from 4:00pm – 6:30pm at Briar Road Public School. It has been in operation since August 2013 and its initial membership of 11 has grown to 22 choristers in 2014.

REGIONAL CAMPS

Regional music camps are offered to selected participants who show musical potential and the appropriate level of interest and maturity. Here they learn new skills, draw on their creative talents and meet other talented Indigenous children from their region, again working with some of Australia’s most respected conductors and music educators and Indigenous musicians and artists. Gondwana Choirs is working to develop a rich repertoire of new songs in Indigenous languages and collaborates with local linguists and songwriters during the Camps. The 2014 Regional camp for the Cairns Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir was held at Lake Tinaroo with 52 choristers attending. The singing workshops focused on developing choral skills, rehearsing existing repertoire and 2 new songs from the Torres Strait: Ya Eh and Epo pa oh pa thungi mah. Dance workshops were included to help further develop performance skills, in addition to teaching the Torres Strait dance component of the songs, led by choreographer Sani Townson.

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Left: GICC Choristers at the WharfRight: Rehearsal for the Australian War Memorial Indigenous Servicemen Recognition Event

PERFORMANCES

Performances in 2014 for GICC choristers included Sydney (Jandamarra: Sing for the Country with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Indigenous Literacy Day, Business Council of Australia Annual Dinner), Canberra (Australian Defence Force Indigenous Servicemen recognition event) and Cairns (G20 Finance Ministers Summit, Tropical North Queensland Tourism Awards).

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Rio Tinto is incredibly proud of its partnership with the Gondwana Indigenous Children’s Choir.

We have directed our support to enable even more young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have the opportunity to participate in Gondwana’ Choirs’ innovative choral programs across the country and to assist the GICC to grow from its current footprint.

Helping talented young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to follow their dreams and to share their voice and culture with the nation is a wonderful journey that we’re proud to be part of.

Daphne MorrosChief Advisor, Corporate Relations

Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is one of the largest private sector employers of Aboriginal people in Australia, providing jobs for more than 2,200 Indigenous men and women.

Above top: GICC rehearsalAbove: Tropical North Queensland Tourism AwardsRight: Business Council of Australia Gala Dinner with the Prime Minister

2014 ARTISTSLyn Williams OAM Founder & Artistic DirectorSam Allchurch Conductor, SCC Young Men’s ChoirChris Burcin Conductor, Gondwana Singers Co-conductor, Cairns GICCErica Byrne Conductor, SCC Luke Byrne Pianist, Gondwana ChoraleChris Cartner Pianist, SCCCarl Crossin OAM* Conductor, Gondwana ChoraleSimon Carrington* International Guest Artist, NCSTim Cuniffe Pianist, SCC & Junior GondwanaMikey Curtain Pianist, SCCChristopher Gordon* Co-Director, Gondwana Composer SchoolLauren Hannay Pianist, Gondwana Conducting Academy Pianist, Cairns GICCJem Harding Pianist, SCC & Gondwana SingersPaul Holley* Conductor, Gondwana ChoraleRowan Johnston* Conductor, Gondwana SingersPaul Jarman* Conductor, Junior GondwanaAnnie Kwok* Composer in ResidenceRuth McCall Conductor, SCCErzsi Marosszeky* Conductor, SCCGraeme Morton AM* Director, Gondwana Conducting AcademyMark O’Leary* Conductor, Gondwana VoicesAmandine Petit Conductor, SCCPaul Stanhope* Co-Director, Gondwana Composer SchoolSani Townson Choreographer, Cairns GICCNicole Thomson Conductor, SCCElizabeth Vierboom Gondwana Choirs Associate Conductor Conductor, Junior Gondwana Conductor, Campbelltown GICC & SCCDan Walker Conductor, Gondwana Women’s Choir & SCCSally Whitwell Principal Pianist, SCC, Gondwana Voices &

Gondwana CantiqueBrett Weymark* Conductor, SCCLisa Young* Composer in Residence, National Choral School *denotes Guest Artist

From top to bottom right:Amandine Petit, Erica Byrne, Chris Burcin, Mark O’Leary, Sally Whitwell, Luke Byrne

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GONDWANA CHOIRS 2015ADMINISTRATION

Bernie Heard General ManagerSam Allchurch Artistic Operations Manager Emma Barnett Sydney Children’s Choir ManagerErica Byrne Indigenous Children’s Choir Manager Wendy Cundy Accounts AdministratorStephanie Dillon Sydney Children’s Choir Assistant ManagerGina Dorante Cairns Indigenous Children’s Choir CoordinatorAntonio Fernandez Artistic Operations AssistantFrancis Greep Marketing & Corporate Partnerships ManagerRachel Hadfield Financial Controller Tessa Kay National Choirs ManagerAimee Palfreemann Philanthropy CoordinatorMark Ramsden Finance Manager Nicole Thomson Choral Education CoordinatorSani Townson Indigenous Children’s Choir Coordinator

Gondwana Choirs extends its heartfelt gratitude to Alexandra Cameron-Fraser and Rachel Hadfield for invaluable support and expertise in 2014.

Gondwana Choirs would like to thank Clare Ainsworth, Lucy Berger, Vanessa Chan, Jennifer Drysdale, Leah Flanagan, Rob Hansen, Clare Kenny, Dan Walker and Shelley Watters for their contributions in 2014.

Bernie Heard, General Manager

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Sydney Children’s Choir

Sydney Children’s Choir has started 2015 by performing at the reopening of the WW1 Galleries at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and a new commission, Anzac Notes, by Elena Kats-Chernin for the Kokoda Memorial, which were recorded and broadcast by the ABC. There have also been several concerts with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing Leonard Bernstein’s Mass for the Centenary Celebrations of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Later in the year the Lyn Williams Choir will tour to Hong Kong and mainland China and The Young Men’s Choir will undertake its first tour to Tasmania to take part in the Festival of Voices in Hobart.

National Choirs

After an extremely successful National Choral School, with sell-out concerts at the Sydney Conservatorium, other 2015 National Choirs’ activities have included Gondwana Voices performing as part of Choralfest in Melbourne. The Gondwana Centenary Chorale was formed with international young singers from France, Turkey and New Zealand augmenting Gondwana Chorale in a private recital at Government House in Sydney and two performances of War Music, a new work by James Ledger, with Sydney Symphony Orchestra as part of their Anzac Day tribute.

Indigenous Children’s Choir

The Cairns Indigenous Children’s Choir performed at the Australia Day celebrations in Cairns, with further projects planned later in the year. In March, the choir enjoyed an intensive residential camp at Lake Tinaroo, led by Lyn Williams and Chris Burcin. The focus of the weekend was the creative development of a new work in language through workshops with Yidingi elder Seith Fourmile and composer Luke Byrne.

Campbelltown Indigenous Children’s Choir is looking forward to joining the Junior Performing Choirs of SCC at Under One Sky in Wollongong, where they will share the stage with Gondwana alumna Kate Miller-Heidke and the African Children’s Choir.

CONCISE ANNUAL REPORTTHIS CONCISE FINANCIAL REPORT IS AN EXTRACT DERIVED FROM THE FULL FINANCIAL REPORT OF GONDWANA CHOIRS FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 DECEMBER 2014.

This extract cannot be expected to provide as full an inderstanding of the financial performance and positiion of Gondwana Choirs as is provided by the full financial report with accompanying notes.Please contact us to receive the full financial report or download it from gondwanachoirs.com.au

OPERATING RESULT

The operating surplus for the year ended 31 December 2014 was $27,967. This compares to an operating deficit of $141,052 in the previous financial year.

2014 was a significant year with major projects and collaborations including Jandamarra with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, a tour for Gondwana Voices to Taiwan, and the establishment of a new management team.

Whilst the year commenced with a predicted deficit, the company reported a pleasing surplus result due to additional controls on expenditure, strategically altering activity for the year, and several new commercial projects with a strong positive financial impact.

The company invested in senior management personnel and have demonstrated strong results on self-presented performances and increased membership for the Sydney Children’s Choir training program.

STATEMENT OF SURPLUS OR DEFICIT AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOMEfor the year ended 31 December 2014

2014 2013 $ $REVENUE 2,278,910 2,596,977

EXPENSESEmployee benefits expense (1,145,427) (1,143,707)Depreciation and amortisation expenses (29,979) (28,917)Administration expenses (274,899) (224,927)Marketing expenses (47,988) (59,405)Production expenses (752,650) (1,281,073) (2,250,943) (2,738,029) ___________ ____________________NET SURPLUS/DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR 27,967 (141,052)

Other comprehensive income - -

TOTAL COMPRENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR 27,967 (141,052) ___________ ____________________ ___________ ____________________

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Participation Fees 50%

Performance Fees 10%

Government Funding 15%

Donations 9%

Corporate Sponsorship 10%

Box Office 4%

Other 2%

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION as at 31 December 2014 2014 2013 $ $

ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents 1,220,023 825,021

Trade and other receivables 588,973 711,194 Inventories 18,575 17,629 Other current assets 38,008 62,489

__________ __________

Total current assets 1,865,579 1,616,333 __________ __________NON-CURRENT ASSETS Plant and equipment 13,624 80,759 Intangibles 274 817 __________ __________

Total non-current assets 13,898 81,576 __________ __________

TOTAL ASSETS 1,879,477 1,697,909 __________ __________ __________ __________ LIABILITIES Current liabilities Trade and other payables 160,998 116,919 Provisions 32,356 125,911 Government grants 196,632 144,319 Income in advance 728,118 584,030 __________ __________

Total current liabilities 1,118,104 971,179 __________ __________

NON CURRENT LIABILITIES Provisions 61,164 54,488 __________ __________ Total non-current liabilities 61,164 54,488

__________ __________

TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,179,268 1,025,667 __________ __________ __________ __________

NET ASSETS 700,209 672,242 __________ __________ __________ __________

FUNDS Unrestricted funds 700,209 672,242 __________ __________ __________ __________

STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN FUNDfor the year ended 31 December 2014

UNRESTRICTED FUNDS 2014 2013 $ $ Balance at 1 January 672,242 813,294 Surplus / (deficit) for the year 27,967 (141,052) __________ __________

Balance at 31 December 700,209 672,242 __________ __________ __________ __________

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STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 December 2014

2014 2013 $ $

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Receipts Receipts from customers 1,958,826 1,561,253 Receipts from donors 208,659 142,419 Sponsorships received 242,770 272,472 Interest received 10,468 26,625

Cash flows from government Receipts from appropriations/grants 432,005 382,003 Payment Wages and salaries (888,972) (986,335) Other suppliers (1,563,344) (1,855,675) __________ __________

NET CASH INFLOW / (OUTFLOW) FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES 400,412 (457,238)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Payments for plant and equipment (5,410) (24,889) Payments for intangibles - (805) __________ __________

NET CASH OUTFLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES (5,410) (25,694) __________ __________

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH Equivalents held 395,002 (482,932) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at the beginning of the financial year 825,021 1,307,953 __________ __________

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS at the end of the financial year 1,220,023 825,021

__________ __________ __________ __________

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RESPONSIBLE PERSONS’ DECLARATION

The responsible persons declare that in the responsible persons’ opinion:• there are reasonable grounds to believe that the registered entity is able to pay all of its debts, as and when they

become due and payable; and

• the financial statements and notes satisfy the requirements of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012.

Signed in accordance with subsection 60.15(2) of the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission Regulation 2013.

KATE LIDBETTER Responsible person

SydneyDated 29 May 2014

DECLARATION BY CHAIR OF DIRECTORS IN RESPECT OF FUNDRAISING APPEALS

I, Kate Lidbetter, a director of Gondwana Choirs, declare in my opinion;

• the financial report gives a true and fair view of all income and expenditure of Gondwana Choirs with respect to fundraising appeal activities for the year ended 31 December 2014;

• the statement of financial position gives a true and fair view of the state of affairs with respect to fundraising appeal activities as at 31 December 2014;

• the provisions of the Charitable Fundraising Act 1991 and Regulations and the conditions attached to the authority have been complied with for the year ended 31 December 2014; and

• the internal controls exercised by Gondwana Choirs are appropriate and effective in accounting for all income received and applied from any fundraising appeals.

KATE LIDBETTER Chair and Director

SydneyDated 29 May 2014

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gondwana.org.au