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Image of Bringing joy through the gift of song and Origami.

Bringing joy through the gift of song and Origami.

Staying connected through creativity and love of the arts.

Inspired by the desire to bring joy to others, Rob and Gigi led and mentored groups who learned Christmas carols through braille music and Origami making respectively.

Culminating in a magical Christmas choir performance by the Statewide Vision Resource Centre braille music students, who were performing in front of an audience for the first time, guests were treated to a range of Christmas carols, led by classical Soprano Music Director, Jordie Howell, who is blind, and accompanied by the talented Andhika on piano. Jordie also gave an informative presentation on Louis Braille, while enlightening the audience about how the students had learned braille music through a specific braille notation system.

We then heard from Rob Fletcher, who gave us an insight into the experience of group members who had mastered Origami Christmas decoration making by memorising sequences of paper folds, including 32 folds to produce the infamous Origami crane (swan). A stunning 3 metre Christmas tree covered in 420 colourful Origami decorations was presented by Rob to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital CEO, Brendon Gardner. The tree is now on display in the Hospital foyer in East Melbourne.

As guests enjoyed morning tea, we were lulled by the sweet and dulcet tones of the harp, played by BSRV Ambassador, Annette Leishman.

The objectives of Rob and Gigi of bringing joy to others through song, and the giving of time and positive energy were indeed realised and summed up by Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria President and CEO, Maurice Gleeson OAM, who said in his reflections that the event had given him hope for our future generations. Maurice also commented on the great spirit of partnership which had brought everyone together.

We wish to thank:

  • Guide Dogs Victoria for supporting the children's choir and Origami projects through their Guide Dogs Australia 'Connected Together' program, with City of Melbourne.
  • Statewide Vision Resource Centre, including Jordie Howell, for facilitating the children's choir project
  • Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital for showcasing the beautiful Origami tree to their patients, visitors and stakeholders
  • Melbourne Origami Group President, Mike Assis, for his patient and generous mentoring of our Origami group.

 

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