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 Corrimal RSL Club [upstairs], Princes Hwy, Corrimal. We practice between 6.30 PM and 8 PM.

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

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.