“We’re all in this together": Whitehorse residents sing, dance and sign for beautiful virtual choir video

Listen to the Audio Version of this story here: Whitehorse Couch Choir - Radio News Package

A recent virtual sing-along video released by the Whitehorse City Council has gathered praises from the local community, including for its display of the Australian Sign Language.

The “Whitehorse Couch Choir” video featured more than 50 Whitehorse residents recording themselves singing, dancing or playing instruments to Ben Lee’s song “We’re All in This Together” at their own homes.

Australian Sign Language, or the Auslan, were also shown in the video through recordings made by students and teachers of Aurora School, Blackburn.

Ever since its release last Tuesday (29/9), “Whitehorse Couch Choir” has been liked more than 200 times and shared more than 90 times on Facebook. The post also received positive comments from local community members who wrote praises and interests to participate in future projects.

In one of the comments, Deakin University student Vania Octavia said that she felt happy to see the deaf community signing in Auslan for the video.

“How beautiful! Happy to see Auslan and the deaf community included in this video,” she wrote.

Occupational therapist Tania Williams, who worked at Aurora School, said that the students and parents enjoyed practicing and recording the Auslan version of “We’re All in This Together”. To teach the students, the teachers filmed a tutorial of the song in Auslan for parents and students to learn at home during lockdown.

“I was really proud because I didn’t know which children were going to be in it from school, so when I saw the kids that I know from school, I was really proud to see them. It made me quite emotional,” Ms Williams said.

Primary school principal Verona Gridley, who recorded herself singing from one of her classrooms, said that the project allowed socially distanced residents to share good experience together.

“It was lovely to see how many different people came together. From young children, to moms in the kitchen, people at work, and couples and families. It’s just a pretty good experience knowing everyone from all walks of life from the City of Whitehorse doing it,” Ms Gridley said.

Although there have not been any announcements of new Whitehorse Couch Choir projects, several community members have expressed on Facebook their interest of joining as singers and musicians.

“I can play piano and have kalimba as well, if next time you need more people,” Nathalie Suwanto posted.

“Will have our family join next time,” Elisa Jade wrote.

To find out about Whitehorse Couch Choir’s next project, check out Whitehorse City Council’s Facebook Page and Website.