General News
31 August, 2025
Gil Alive celebrates Party for the Piano
Gilgandra Alive’s Judy Shalhoub addressed the crowd: “Jess Reed is our new president and she produced a Christmas Concert in 2024 and is planning one for 2025.
We would love some new members and you don’t have to be a singer or dancer and we thank all those who have helped over the years....by selling tickets, bringing food, washing up, stacking chairs and helping in many ways,” said Judy.
Gilgandra Country Women’s Association Evening Branch catered for the event and photos from previous Gilgandra Entertainers/Alive events and concerts on the piano were displayed around the hall.
Among the performers were, Estelle Joseph and Jodie Peart; Alice Peart, Janos Nithilan Rajan, Cameron Wendt, Jess Watson, Maxine Elsom, Liam Milstead, Dr Patrick Giltrap, Jess Reed, Naomi McCutcheon, Janet Cheal, and a special performance by Bethany and Sharon Simons.
Bethany Simons was previously booked to hold a drama workshop and play ‘Radical Sabbatical’ at the hall on Friday (August 22).
However, a few weeks ago she fractured her foot and the event was cancelled. Accompanied by her mother Sharon on the piano, she instead recounted some stories from her grandmother, Dawn Collison, which were featured in her other play previously performed in Gilgandra called ‘The Weather and Your Health’.
The night was finished with a debut of a new song written especially for the Gilgandra’s concert piano and a sing-a-long of popular Australian songs such as ‘The Pub with No Beer’ and ‘I am Australian’.
