Students from the Alstonville Public School band have performed in Parliament’s Great Hall at the launch of the annual Christmas Giving Tree appeal.
The appeal raises money for the Aboriginal Literacy Foundation and Lifeline.
Page MP Kevin Hogan described the performance as one of the highlights of the parliamentary year.
‘It was hard not to be proud when you are standing with MPs from other electorates listening to students from Page bring in the Christmas season at the national Parliament,’ Mr Hogan said.
‘I have attended various functions in the Great Hall and heard performances from Opera Australia, met the Governor General and even shook hands with royalty, but this has been an absolute highlight.’
Assistant principal Kirstin Beck, and teachers Luke Miller and Helen Mooney accompanied the students.
‘I would like to thank Ms Beck and the teachers for helping these students achieve something they will never forget. Not many people have the chance to play in the Great Hall and today is something special,’ Mr Hogan said.
‘It really was a great performance, and their rendition of True Colours in front of the beautiful tapestry of the Great Hall was superb. They also played Rule the World, Rock U melody and Eye of the Tigera mong many.’
Speaker of the House of Representatives Bronwyn Bishop, who also praised the school’s performance, urged everyone at Parliament House to give generously to the Wishing Tree appeal.
‘The tree will provide an opportunity for visitors and Parliament House occupants alike to reach out to others in our community,’ she said.
The Aboriginal Literacy Foundation seeks to improve the poor literacy levels amongst Indigenous Australians, and from this raise the health and wellbeing of communities and end the cycle of poverty.
Lifeline provides Australians experiencing a personal crisis with access to 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention services.
Eight free choir and band performances will take place between 25 November and 10 December on the upper level of the Marble Foyer, each running for 15 – 20 minutes.
The choirs and bands participating in the Christmas program have all performed successfully at eisteddfods and will present a mix of Christmas carols and popular seasonal classics.
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