Shire of Dardanup’s AUSLAN choir recognised in national local government awards

A Dandanup community group who bring music to life for deaf people has been recognised on the national stage. Last week, the Shire’s Southern Ports Festive Auslan Choir received an Honourable Mention in the National Awards for Local Government in an annual celebration of local government achievements across the country. The Canberra ceremony recognised innovative initiatives implemented by local governments that make a difference to their local communities, spotlighting winners across 11 awards categories Winners in each category were determined by a public vote earlier this year. Shire President Mick Bennett congratulated the group, calling it a highlight of community events. “Congratulations to our Place and Community Team who were the architects of this project, along with our sign language expert Kelly Hope and all the members of the choir who actively supported this great concept,” he said. “It truly is one of the best things I’ve seen at our musical events.” The group was established in 2022, for the Shire’s Christmas movie night — with 24 community members between 8 and 70 years of age had eight weeks of AUSLAN courses to prepare for the event. Coordinated by Kelly Hope from Child of Deaf Adult services, they learned the signing of basic words and finger spelling for six popular carols and have since gone on to perform at various Shire events including four Fuel to Go & Play Summer in Your Park Series events earlier this year. Local Government Minister Kristy McBain said she was “blown away” by the efforts of local council’s in the past year. “Australian councils continue to come up with new and creative ways to improve the lives of their residents, persevering through floods, COVID-19 and other challenges,” she said. “These awards are a chance to acknowledge those incredible efforts and feats of our councils, while sharing their work on the national stage so that we can learn from and perhaps even replicate their ideas on broader scales.”