Sadly, the Choir lost one of its founding members earlier this year. The following is a reflection by Lyn Casey-Brereton, one of the original NBC staff members and now a Patron of the Choir.
I was privileged to attend the Requiem Mass and Thanksgiving for Michael’s life at the Anglican Church of St James the Great, East St Kilda on Tuesday January 12, 2016. Michael requested that ‘Laudate Dominum’ by Mozart be part of the service. I arranged for a CD featuring the Choir and myself to be played during the reflection.
Michael attended the 50th anniversary function of NBCA and he was thrilled to be part of the celebrations with other former choristers. Michael was a foundation member of the Choir and he toured with the group on the first trip to Tasmania in 1968. Michael loved singing, loved music and loved the Choir. He was a fine soprano soloist, played the clarinet and recorder and became an assistant tutor and administrator for the Choir.
Michael contributed in many significant ways to the early development of NBC. All his involvement was voluntary. For many years as a teenager he travelled to our home (first in Chadstone, then Caulfield and later Balwyn) after school on Fridays and frequently stayed until Sunday. During the weekends Michael typed up all schedules, duplicated and distributed these, organised music copies, checked performance dates and rehearsal times and assisted in music instruction by leading and teaching the recorder groups.
Michael held a senior responsible administrative position in the public service until 1996 when he became too ill. However, he always remained closely in touch with NBCA and his valuable contribution will be remembered as an important part of NBCA history.
Lyn Casey-Brereton