Narrandera Shire Council has voted to allow the With One Voice Riverina (WOV) choir to use the Narrandera Arts and Community Centre’s performance space for rehearsals for a minimal fee.

At last week’s meeting, the councillors resolved to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the not-for-profit group, reducing hire costs to just $5 per hour, subject to conditions.

The decision came on the back of a request from the choir’s conducting director, Elizabeth Walsh, who wrote to the council asking for a reduced hire fee to allow the 23-strong choir to continue to perform throughout the community.

In her correspondence to the council, Ms Walsh said “our performing arts group is ideally suited to the town’s Arts Centre and provides an inclusive and welcoming space for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together through music”.

In return for reduced fees, the choir proposed to “take on the responsibility and costs” of the donated piano being tuned and maintained in the Arts Centre on an annual basis.

Cr Tracey Lewis said the choir had become beneficial to the town and was pleased it now had a place to call home.

“We formed a choir with the amazing Lizzie Walsh,” Cr Lewis said.

“In the last two years, the choir has gone from strength to strength.

“I think we need to support them for all our community events.

“They do a lot of things within our community.”

Cr Lewis highlighted that there was an often-overlooked cost involved in running the choir.

“It costs about $5500 to run the choir because you have to pay for the music, you can’t just turn up and sing without paying the royalties,” she said.

“I would like our council to support the choir today and forever. It’s a fantastic environment and good for mental health.

“There are so many positive things about singing with a group of people.”

Deputy mayor Sue Ruffles also backed the proposal, believing the choir would put the centre to good use.

“This particular centre is very underutilised,” she said.

“The choir is really contributing to our community.”

The choir, which previously conducted rehearsals at the CRC Church Theatre, meets each Tuesday evening and brings people of all ages and backgrounds together through music.

Ms Walsh told the council the CRC Church was “gracious and understanding of our purpose” and seeing the value for the community, waived their fees.

However, the need for a venue suitable for people with physical disabilities and issues with heating and lighting affecting the choir members’ comfort and ability to attend, prompted a move to the Arts Centre.

The choir regularly provides entertainment at Narrandera’s two nursing homes, which greatly benefits residents and it also performs at events such as the Lions’ Carols in the Park and the Can Assist fundraiser.

Council’s decision ensures the choir can continue its good work in the community by creating singing opportunities that foster friendship, learning, improved self-worth and wellbeing.