The Sydney Morning Herald
December 1, 2006

Triumphs: Mountain Music

They're celebrating down in Jindabyne this weekend, not the success of a movie named after the town, nor the end of what was a poor snow season, but the centenary of the district. There's the usual fare when it comes to community partying, including art and craft displays, market day, picnic races, turning the sod for a new museum, a ball, a barbecue, a trout fishing competition, even (God help us) a re-enactment of the first council meeting. But Australia's peak region, so to speak, has one thing that's a little different - its own song, believed to be a first.

Snowy Anthem, which is already being sung in local school assemblies, will be launched with gusto tomorrow by a choir of 50 schoolchildren, 30 adults and 10 musicians from around the shire. It's a musical tribute by local musician Paul Dion, who composed and orchestrated the song as a musical montage of the unique geography, romantic history and multicultural success of the area.

The first verse begins: "This place we call the Snowies sits high above the plains/The rooftop of Australia, where majestic splendour reigns/And blest with nature's gifts sublime, the font of life therein/Australia's crowning jewel. A place that we call home."

We welcome your comments -- or indeed, your song about your district.

Posted by Stay in touch
December 1, 2006 12:01 AM

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2006/12/mountain_music.html