Choir founder joins Southbank Rotary

Southbank Rotary Club welcomed Choir of Hard Knocks founder Jonathon Welch into its ranks at a special meeting in late August.

Mr Welch said he had long held a desire to join the global service organisation when he was inducted into the club in Docklands on August 23.

The induction was conducted at a special meeting of three local Rotary Clubs to welcome fund-raising adventurer Rob Pennicott to Melbourne.

Mr Pennicott and his crew are raising funds for polio eradication by circumnavigating Australia in two 17 foot dinghies.  

Southbank Rotary president Clinton Wong welcomed Mr Welch to the club, saying his work with Melbourne’s underprivileged was an inspiration to everyone.

Mr Wong said the club was honoured by Mr Welch’s decision to join.

“With Jonathon on board it confirms to us that we are heading in the right direction.” Mr Wong said.

The choir, which has changed its name to the Choir of Hope and Inspiration, recently performed a short season of its production My Fare Label at Federation Square.

Mr Welch said: “I have wanted to be part of Rotary, and Rotary Southbank in particular, for some time as I think they do fantastic, innovative work. I’m looking forward to working with this terrific group of like minded ‘kindred spirits’, who share the same passion as I do for serving the community.”

Southbank Rotary meets every Tuesday at 6pm at Crown.