About

Illawarra Union Singers gathered at the Illawarra Folk Festival for another great Union Choirs concert
Illawarra Union Singers gathered at Illawarra Folk Festival 2024 for another great Union Choirs concert

The Illawarra Union Singers are a choir of trade unionists, social activists and people who like singing for the pleasure of singing. The choir practices on Tuesday nights at the Fairy Meadow, Fraternity Club [upstairs], in either the Roma Room or the Monte Carlo Room, staff at the door will know which room we are in on the night. We practice between 6.30 PM and 8.15 PM.

Anyone wishing to join or wondering if they would enjoy our choir is welcome to come along and sing with us and if anyone has questions they can use our contact page.

We enjoy singing songs of working people, struggle, peace and social justice.

January saw the fantastic Illawarra Folk Festival being held at Bulli and starting on Friday 17th and finishing Sunday 19th. IFF is well known for putting local, National and International acts on show with 8 venues and about 90 acts this year. Thanks to Ross and Ron for the images below.

Combined Union choirs at Illawarra Folk Festival 2025 with Gabrielle conducting
Combined Union choirs at Illawarra Folk Festival 2025 with Gabrielle conducting
IUS choir performance at 2025 Illawarra Folk Festival with Shalani conducting
IUS choir performance at 2025 Illawarra Folk Festival with Shalani conducting
Combined Union choirs at Illawarra Folk Festival 2025 with Gabrielle conducting
Combined Union choirs at Illawarra Folk Festival 2025 with Gabrielle conducting
IUS choir performance at 2025 Illawarra Folk Festival with Shalani conducting
IUS choir performance at 2025 Illawarra Folk Festival with Shalani conducting
Combined Union choirs at Illawarra Folk Festival 2025 with Gabrielle conducting
Combined Union choirs at Illawarra Folk Festival 2025 with Gabrielle conducting
IUS choir performance at 2025 Illawarra Folk Festival with Shalani conducting
IUS choir performance at 2025 Illawarra Folk Festival with Shalani conducting

2024 has been a good year for the Illawarra Union Singers with choir numbers expanding again. Shalani Thomas is the Conductor and is working hard getting the choir ready for the Illawarra Folk Festival in 2025.

Some years back in September 2015 the Illawarra Union Singers traveled to Broken Hill to help their 132nd celebrations. Judy has kindly supplied images of a newspaper clipping and a pamphlet giving details of the event.

Newspaper article containing story about Illawarra Union Singer's trip to Broken Hill, NSW. The trip was for a celebration for Broken Hill's 132nd Anniversary.
Newspaper article containing story about Illawarra Union Singer’s trip to Broken Hill, NSW. The trip was for a celebration for Broken Hill’s 132nd Anniversary.
Cover page of pamphlet advertising Illawarra Union Singers trip to Broken Hill.
Cover page of pamphlet advertising Illawarra Union Singers trip to Broken Hill.
Part of pamphlet advertising Illawarra Union Singers trip to Broken Hill. The songs to be sung are shown.
Part of pamphlet advertising Illawarra Union Singers trip to Broken Hill. The songs to be sung are shown.
Some history of the Illawarra Union Singers and names of choir members who made the journey and the musical director for the trip to Broken Hill, Zlatko Basic-Caja (RIP). Choir program is also included.
Some history of the Illawarra Union Singers and names of choir members who made the journey and the musical director for the trip to Broken Hill, Zlatko Basic-Caja (RIP). Choir program is also included.
Some history of the Illawarra Union Singers and names of choir members who made the journey and the musical director for the trip to Broken Hill, Zlatko Basic-Caja (RIP). Names of Broken Hill Community Voices Choir are also included.
Some history of the Illawarra Union Singers and names of choir members who made the journey and the musical director for the trip to Broken Hill, Zlatko Basic-Caja (RIP). Names of Broken Hill Community Voices Choir are also included.
Statue of one miner helping another miner up, this statue is located in Burelli street, Wollongong.
Statue of one miner helping another miner up, this statue is located in Burelli street, Wollongong.

The SCLC invited us to kick off their yearly celebration of union activity in the region.
We sang ‘Acknowledgement’ and ‘Solidarity’ to this appreciative crowd and joined them
for dinner at Dapto Leagues Club.
It warms our hearts to be part of the joint union strength in the area.

Illawarra Union Singers are now practising for the fabulous Illawarra Folk Festival held in January at Bulli.

Members of the Illawarra Union Singers choir at the 2024 South Coast Labour Council dinner
Members of the Illawarra Union Singers choir at the 2024 South Coast Labour Council dinner
Members of the Illawarra Union Singers choir at the 2024 South Coast Labour Council dinner
Members of the Illawarra Union Singers choir at the 2024 South Coast Labour Council dinner

Illawarra Union Singers recently organised a fundraising concert for the people of Gaza. We have been moved by the war in this region which is causing catastrophic destruction of the land with widespread death, injuries and displacement of ordinary folk – many of them children.

We sing for peace and social justice and invited several local musicians and like minded groups to also kindly donate their time and talent to the concert. These included Femme Fatales, Andy Ophee, Malika Elizabeth, Paul Spencer, Shalani Thomas, Singongo and Tender choir.

We had a terrific afternoon of music and refreshments at Thirroul Railway Institute and raised over $4500 in donations for APHEDA’s Union Aid Abroad Gaza Appeal. Also the crowd contributed generously to raffles for a lovely array of donated artistic prizes and for highly sought-after caps. We are very happy to make a positive contribution to the people of Gaza and to spark an afternoon of music and fun.

Shalani and Maurie having a quiet moment
Shalani and Maurie having a quiet moment
APHEDA representative Ken Davis talking to the audience about the work APHEDA does
APHEDA representative Ken Davvis talking to the audience about the work APHEDA does
Shalani Thomas doing her solo performance, another great performer from the Illawarra.
Shalani Thomas doing her solo performance, another great performer from the Illawarra.
Shalani Thomas doing her solo performance, another great performer from the Illawarra.
Shalani Thomas doing her solo performance, another great performer from the Illawarra.
Paul Spencer, doing a solo performance, another great Illawarra based performer
Paul Spencer, doing a solo performance, another great Illawarra based performer
Tender choir, may not have had their full crew but still did a great job
Tender choir, may not have had their full crew but still did a great job
Tender choir, may not have had their full crew but still did a great job
Tender choir, may not have had their full crew but still did a great job
Entry tickets and raffle tickets all helped raise funds
Entry tickets and raffle tickets all helped raise funds
Femme Fatales were the biggest group on the day, some might say the biggest sound too. Very lively.
Femme Fatales were the biggest group on the day, some might say the biggest sound too. Very lively.
Femme Fatales departing in style
Femme Fatales departing in style
Singongo choir also performed at the concert.
Singongo choir also performed at the concert.
Member of Femme Fatales, the poster says "March like a girl"
Member of Femme Fatales, the poster says “March like a girl”
Maurie Mulheron was the opening act and is always a great performer
Maurie Mulheron was the opening act and is always a great performer
Maurie Mulheron was the opening act and is always a great performer
Maurie Mulheron was the opening act and is always a great performer
Illawarra Union Singers hard at work in the kitchen
Illawarra Union Singers hard at work in the kitchen

Illawarra Union Singers are organisng a fund raiser for Palestine with a few artists giving their time to help.

Tickets (see the link below) are ‘donation’, $5.00 – $100 per person and refreshments will be available, hummus, tabbouleh, flat bread, assortment of cakes, slices, tea, coffee and soft drinks for a small charge.

https://events.humanitix.com/voices-for-palestine-fundraiser-for-apheda

November 2023 saw some Newcastle People’s Chorus members travel to Illawarra to meet with Illawarra Union Singers for a day of singing and an evening of dining and singing.

A rousing time was had by all at Corrimal RSL Club, with its largeauditorium, good acoustics, plenty of chairs, posh leather lounges and light refreshments close at hand.

Shalani and Lachlan, our enthusiastic conductors on the day, led us through a mixture of old time favourite songs and new ones, which we mastered quickly.

These included: Blackleg Miner, Unity, The Workers Song, Mnogaya Ljeta and of course Solidarity – which (almost) brought the roof down.

Members of Illawarra Union SIngers and Newcastle People's Chorus choirs
Sharing songs between choirs
Members of Illawarra Union SIngers and Newcastle People's Chorus choirs
Sharing songs between choirs

May Day 2023 was held at Port Kembla this year to protest against talk of the Government setting Port Kembla up as a Nuclear Submarine port.

Some members of Illawarra Union Singers

Some members of Sydney Trade Union Choir and Solidarity Choir both led by Deb Jones also attended the May Day 2023 rally to show support in the struggle against Nuclear subs and joined Illawarra Union Singers in singing while marching.

Deb Jones from Sydney Trade Union Choir and Solidarity Choir talking with Gerry from Illawarra Union Singers in the forground with members of the choirs in the background.
Deb Jones from Sydney Trade Union Choir and Solidarity Choir talking with Gerry from Illawarra Union Singers in the foreground with members of the choirs in the background.