Following our wonderful time at convention in Hobart this year, our search for a new director continued. A few members took some time for a wellearned rest and others spent some time travelling through beautiful Tassie. The rest of us headed back home and, although rehearsals were a bit light on for a while, our hard-working Music Team polished up their directing skills and kept us going

It wasn’t too long after that when an old friend of the chorus was contacted. Negotiations began and we are now thrilled to announce the appointment of Biz Scott as our new Director. Biz’s extensive CV reflects a broad spectrum of musical expertise with a rich and diverse background in music. She brings a wealth of experience across multiple genres and has also had hands-on experience in barbershop singing! Her creative energy and enthusiasm is truly contagious. We warmly welcome Biz and are very excited about our future!

In September, Biz’s first public performance with us was at the Festival of Choirs, sharing the stage with many choirs from around the Hunter region. Choral singing is definitely alive and well in the Newcastle community! It was a wonderful event and exciting to see so many vibrant and diverse singing groups

Our members have run two very successful Bunnings BBQs this year as well as participating in, and winning, Grill’d’s Local Matters. We are looking forward to singing at a local theatre company’s opening night and we’re polishing up our Christmas carols for upcoming performances.

We thoroughly enjoyed watching and cheering on our Aussie representatives competing in Ohio at the Sweet Adelines International Convention recently. To Skylark and Alouette Quartets, Redland Rhapsody and Circular Keys Choruses – we are so proud of you all!

HWoN just celebrated our three-year anniversary of chartering with Sweet Adelines International. One thing we do well is celebrate, and bubbles and ice cream are always a good combination! And as we head towards the end of another year, we are so excited for what lies ahead. There are already some fun performances booked in for 2026.

And last but definitely not least, we are absolutely delighted with the news that convention is coming to Newcastle in 2027!

Jenny Johnson Secretary