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25 February 2018
As a member of impact’s newly formed board, I have the regular and privileged opportunity of being able to help women in need, which is the reason why impact was created in the first place and why I joined the board. As a member of that board, I had expected to attend a number of interesting events. But never did I expect to attend a concert with over 300 performers on stage! The opportunity came up when the Open Door Community Singers – a combined group of community choirs from across Melbourne – were looking for a charity partner for their fourth anniversary performance. Through a series of fortuitous circumstances, they found impact for women, and impact urged all of us on the board to attend. I knew before I arrived that there would be over 300 people on stage, but the sight of such a large number of performers surprised and amazed me in a way I didn’t expect. There seemed to be barely any breathing room between each person on stage, and though the stage was large and stable, it certainly looked very packed. Luckily the auditorium was packed too, and no one walked away disappointed. The effect of 300 co-ordinated voices singing mostly show tunes, large chunks of Les Mis and other popular melodies, was mesmerising and somewhat overwhelming. Never did I think that I would have had such an experience, but never too did I expect it to sound so amazing! With the performers split fairly evenly between males and females, and between bass, soprano and everything in between, each song – which was only supported by karaoke-style music – sounded like it had a full vocal symphony orchestra behind it; which essentially it did. Just before intermission, Kathy Kaplan OAM, founder and president of impact, made a short, impactful and very resonant speech about the impact of domestic violence and about what just one person can do to make a difference. “If you think your efforts are too minimal to change anything, just think about the effect that one tiny mosquito can have if it is buzzing around your bedroom when you are trying to fall asleep”. Kathy’s words, and the volunteers in the foyer with their red impact caps and buckets in hand, ensured that impact for women received a relatively large windfall, with many people literally opening up their wallets, allowing all their coins and small notes to fall into the buckets. And we as the volunteers, we got to enjoy a great, unique, spectacular and vocally-pleasing concert, whilst making a genuine impact for impact! By Alex Kats Member of the Board |
