Gerringong Rotary Club has commemorated the first anniversary of the Alchemy Chorus, a remarkable choir designed for individuals grappling with dementia, alongside their families, friends, and caregivers. The celebratory concert took place at the Gerringong Bowling Club on Thursday 30 November 2023.

The Alchemy Chorus serves as a unifying platform, bringing together individuals with dementia, their close associates, volunteer musicians, and singers for a morning filled with songs, shared stories, laughter, and enjoyable moments.

Gerringong Sunrise Rotary Alchemy Choir- Photos by Mark Whalan

Initiated by Christa Wood, the mind behind the Dementia Friendly Dancing program in 2015 during her tenure as President, the Gerringong Rotary Club has been committed to dementia-focused initiatives. Christa was approached by the Canberra Alchemy Chorus to establish a choir for people living with dementia on the South Coast. Thus, the Alchemy Chorus South Coast was established in October 2022, making its public debut at the Kiama Christmas Carols in December 2022.

Since its inception, the choir has experienced substantial growth, increasing its membership from 18 to an impressive 52, with over 30 members either living with dementia or standing in solidarity with those who are. Distinguishing itself from other dementia choirs, the Alchemy Chorus is a performing choir engaging in voice and breathing exercises, harmonies, and vocal canons. Notably, the choir, run by dedicated volunteers, features an inspiring musical director, a highly skilled pianist, a percussionist, and a trumpet player who breathes life into their performances.

Having showcased their talent at various venues such as Blue Haven, Mayflower, and the Kiama Christmas Carols, the choir aspires to have two paid public performances annually to support its operational costs. The upcoming concert serves as both a celebration of the one-year anniversary and an expression of gratitude to sponsors including the Gerringong Bowling Club, Kiama Rotary Club, and Bendigo Bank Gerringong, who have played a pivotal role in the choir's inception and growth.

Crowd clapping at Gerringong Alchemy Choir

Residents from the Kiama and Gerringong communities joined the celebration and partook in post-event discussions over lunch.

For more information about the choir, visit the website here or reach out to Christa Wood at [email protected]