General News
31 March, 2026
Natimuk and co in fine voice
Almost 300 people gathered in Natimuk on March 15 for a free town celebration inspired by the Bruce Woodley (The Seekers) and Dobe Newton (Bushwackers) anthem 'I Am Australian'.
The We Are One Community Concert and barbecue in the forecourt of the NC2 precinct drew at least 280 revellers, one of the organisers, Mark Radford, said.
The get-together was aimed at residents of Arapiles, Grass Flat, Natimuk and Quantong but was open to visitors from Horsham and the surrounding district.
Performers included the Horsham Rural City Band under the leadership of acting musical director Karl Carman and the Voices of the Wimmera choir, led by Beverley Miatke.
The lineup also featured a generous helping of humour courtesy of the Shrewd Brass quintet from Melbourne, detouring to the Wimmera en route to Hong Kong and delivering antics that kept the audience guessing and highly entertained, not least a brash rendition of 'Olympic Fanfare' to start proceedings.
Vocalist/pianist Shayrn Avery from Quantong played and sang to set the scene before Horsham Rural City mayor Brian Klowss opened the event with a summary of the January 9 bushfire and its ongoing effects on the various communities.
Cr Klowss also paid tribute to the work of people helping one another and to the support received from organisations and individuals outside the district.
The choir led a singalong – accompanied by the band – of some well-known Australian songs such as 'Advance Australia Fair', 'I still call Australia home', 'Waltzing Matilda' and the inspiration behind the concert with its familiar refrain: "We are one, but we are many. And from all the lands on earth we come. We'll share a dream and sing with one voice. I am, you are, we are Australian.
Shrewd Brass' contribution ranged from all five musicians playing together to various solos of the two trumpets, French horn, trombone and tuba.
This was interspersed with "random walking around the concert venue and making mischief with the audience", including an explosion of manic activity during a ‘pirate’ scene, Tom and his trombone (boxing glove attached) toying with the public, and some very skilled garden hose playing, alongside exceptionally good brass music.
Guest speaker David Younger, a clinical psychologist, shared timely tips for dealing with the aftermath of a disaster such as a bushfire.
He also spoke directly to people during the afternoon as he mingled.
Horsham’s most recent citizen of the year, Jo Ellis, performed an improvised solo alongside the visiting quintet, with the community in full voice yelling out “Tequila!”
While this was happening, volunteers from Horsham East Rotary Club and Natimuk Lions Club cooked and served a barbecue, and the Salvos distributed tea and coffee.
In the late afternoon setting sun, the concert finished with a sterling rendition of John Farnham’s ‘You’re the Voice’ made even more amazing by the talents of Gordon and Michael from the Horsham Pipe Band playing the bagpipe section leading into the final chorus.
Mark Radford summed up the response in one word: "Wow!"
MC Simon Risson wrapped up the show with a list of thank-yous before the picnic rugs were lifted, the deck chairs were folded away and the happy members of the public headed home.
The concert was financially supported by Horsham Rural City Council, Look Over the Farm Gate/Agriculture Victoria, the Rotary Club of Horsham East, Natimuk Lions Club and the Marchesini sisters.
Mr Radford expressed the organisers' appreciation to everyone who made the concert happen.
”Thank you and well done to all,” he said.