Not only did we farewell twenty-three young men, but sadly said goodbye to Mrs Peika Namdarian as she retired after fifteen years of Coordinating the Choir Wardrobe.
Peika first arrived at NBCA as a parent in the 1980s, keeping a low profile until her sons Ben and Sebastian retired. The Wardrobe position became vacant in 1995 and required a patient, competent person. Peika was the perfect choice – her teaching skills combined with her love of sewing, knitting and all things haberdashery made her an integral part of the Choir Community.
Peika supervised, delegated and sewed her way through four fully costumed productions – All the King’s Men, The Golden Vanity, Eurekaand Lost to the Music – had parents scour wardrobes, neighbours and op shops to create illusions on stage, ran a ‘sweat shop’ on Friday evenings with a bevy of ladies who sewed, ironed, folded and measured. Peika was the driving force behind the changeover from Green and Yellow to Navy and Gold uniforms – in fact she has been able to have every chorister looking his best at all times, be it on stage or in the streets.
Peika leaves us to spend more time with her growing family, taking an active role in the early years of her beautiful grandchildren.