What was the starting point for the choir?
In February 2006 an information meeting was held for those in the community who had an open commitment to singing religious music for them to express an interest to join the Wollongong Gospel Choir.
There were some great choirs in Wollongong and there seemed to be few church choirs in operation and the introduction of the Wollongong Gospel Choir was an opportunity for those wishing to share with each other and with the community the joy, hope and inspiration of gospel music. Since 2006, we have presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ through singing to thousands of people.
Mr Phillip Newton, co-ordinator of this initiative, says that “the concept and demand for this type of choir to the churches and the wider community has proven itself over the years.” He also says, that “many events have occurred over these years including performances in Nursing Homes, special fundraising Concerts, weddings and even at a Correctional Centre, singing to inmates leading up to Christmas.”
Wollongong Gospel Choir (WGC) is now well established in the Illawarra and South Coast regions as a choir that enjoys singing and providing support to many within the local community and at large. Many of the foundation members are still actively involved in the Choir.
Improving Community life
WGC have performed at many and varied events over the years. Some most interesting have been singing at Kirkconnell Correction Centre, Lithgow leading up to Christmas as the Prison Chaplain handed out small gifts to some 250 inmates. We sang for over 2 hours in their main quadrangle behind barbwire fencing – you could say we had a captive audience however the truth of the matter was that they would not let us go.
WGC have performed many fundraising concerts in which all proceeds went towards the project including, funds needed at Bulli Public Hospital to set up a prayer room for patients and their families. Mission work in Afganistan through the “Youth with a Mission” (YWAM) organisation. Funding for the Christian Blind Mission and their work overseas. Funding for the Presbyterian Inland Mission work at Mt Magnet in West Australia a mining town experiencing financial hardship. Funding to Allowah Childrens Hospital which is a hospital for severely handicapped children. Funding for the Batemans Bay Employers of Christian Teachers (BBECT) and for the work with young people in the High Schools at Batemans Bay. Also, Relay for Life Shellharbour event. These are just to mention a few.
WGC continues to support the Churches both in the Illawarra and throughout NSW in their Worship services and special Sunday afternoon concerts as well as visiting local Nursing homes for the elderly. WGC have even sung at a wedding and those in attendance were singing and dancing in the isle as we sang “O Happy Day”.
WGC have performed Gospel Concerts and Gospel Hymnfest jointly with other choirs including "Strange Weather Gospel Choir" at the Moruya Jazz Festival. "The Café of Gateway of Salvation" at Kiama. "Intermezzo" at Kiama.
WGC have supported the community with Christmas events including "Wollongong Crematorium Memorial Gardens"
There are many other events that we have not mentioned.
Our demand and coverage has been growing at a gradual and manageable level over these years and we continually see people join us for a little while; enjoy the fellowship of the choir and what we do. Our rehearsal time is more than just practice of music; we enjoy fellowship over a cuppa and light refreshments.
WGC members certainly love singing and in particular, love singing to share the joy, hope and inspiration of gospel music to whomever wishes to listen to us. We continue to inspire others and we ourselves are fulfilled.
We continue to be affiliated with the Five Islands Christian Ministries (5ICM) and have received valuable prayer support over the years from persons in their 'eprayerletter' network.
In February 2006 an information meeting was held for those in the community who had an open commitment to singing religious music for them to express an interest to join the Wollongong Gospel Choir.
There were some great choirs in Wollongong and there seemed to be few church choirs in operation and the introduction of the Wollongong Gospel Choir was an opportunity for those wishing to share with each other and with the community the joy, hope and inspiration of gospel music. Since 2006, we have presented the Gospel of Jesus Christ through singing to thousands of people.
Mr Phillip Newton, co-ordinator of this initiative, says that “the concept and demand for this type of choir to the churches and the wider community has proven itself over the years.” He also says, that “many events have occurred over these years including performances in Nursing Homes, special fundraising Concerts, weddings and even at a Correctional Centre, singing to inmates leading up to Christmas.”
Wollongong Gospel Choir (WGC) is now well established in the Illawarra and South Coast regions as a choir that enjoys singing and providing support to many within the local community and at large. Many of the foundation members are still actively involved in the Choir.
Improving Community life
WGC have performed at many and varied events over the years. Some most interesting have been singing at Kirkconnell Correction Centre, Lithgow leading up to Christmas as the Prison Chaplain handed out small gifts to some 250 inmates. We sang for over 2 hours in their main quadrangle behind barbwire fencing – you could say we had a captive audience however the truth of the matter was that they would not let us go.
WGC have performed many fundraising concerts in which all proceeds went towards the project including, funds needed at Bulli Public Hospital to set up a prayer room for patients and their families. Mission work in Afganistan through the “Youth with a Mission” (YWAM) organisation. Funding for the Christian Blind Mission and their work overseas. Funding for the Presbyterian Inland Mission work at Mt Magnet in West Australia a mining town experiencing financial hardship. Funding to Allowah Childrens Hospital which is a hospital for severely handicapped children. Funding for the Batemans Bay Employers of Christian Teachers (BBECT) and for the work with young people in the High Schools at Batemans Bay. Also, Relay for Life Shellharbour event. These are just to mention a few.
WGC continues to support the Churches both in the Illawarra and throughout NSW in their Worship services and special Sunday afternoon concerts as well as visiting local Nursing homes for the elderly. WGC have even sung at a wedding and those in attendance were singing and dancing in the isle as we sang “O Happy Day”.
WGC have performed Gospel Concerts and Gospel Hymnfest jointly with other choirs including "Strange Weather Gospel Choir" at the Moruya Jazz Festival. "The Café of Gateway of Salvation" at Kiama. "Intermezzo" at Kiama.
WGC have supported the community with Christmas events including "Wollongong Crematorium Memorial Gardens"
There are many other events that we have not mentioned.
Our demand and coverage has been growing at a gradual and manageable level over these years and we continually see people join us for a little while; enjoy the fellowship of the choir and what we do. Our rehearsal time is more than just practice of music; we enjoy fellowship over a cuppa and light refreshments.
WGC members certainly love singing and in particular, love singing to share the joy, hope and inspiration of gospel music to whomever wishes to listen to us. We continue to inspire others and we ourselves are fulfilled.
We continue to be affiliated with the Five Islands Christian Ministries (5ICM) and have received valuable prayer support over the years from persons in their 'eprayerletter' network.
