Small town kids with big hearts: Pingelly Primary School choir headed to Telethon to raise funds and share joy

In a bush classroom in the small Wheatbelt town of Pingelly, a group of 22 enthusiastic children have been meeting once a week in the lead-up to providing a very special performance at this year’s Telethon on October 22. Made up of children from Years 1-6 the Pingelly Primary School choir is a little nervous but very excited about travelling to Perth to sing, smile and help raise funds for WA’s children in need. “Not all kids are like us,” choir member Summer Moulton said. “Some kids are different and they need medical things and the bills cost a lot of money. “The money we raise can help them get all the things they need.” Pingelly Primary School arts specialist Amber Moulton said that the entire Pingelly community had rallied behind the kids. “It’s our school choir, Pingelly’s as a whole,” she said. “It’s great to see the kids get stopped in the street and told they’re doing great, it’s really special.” Taking a break from rehearsal on October 11, the children shared what they liked most about singing in a choir and why their Telethon performance would be a special one. “I love being in choir because it’s like being part of a big family but you live in kind of like a big house at school,” Belle Hodges said. “And it’ll help kids that aren’t as healthy as ourselves,” Flynn Macnamara said. “It will help them remember that people care about them.” Lucy Parsons said that she hoped the choir’s songs would bring smiles to the faces of other children. “I love singing as one and being a choir,” she said. “I hope our songs make kids really happy and let their hearts fill with kindness and joy.” Ms Moulton said that the Pingelly choir was unique as it brought together children of all year groups. “A lot of schools won’t start their choirs until the children are in Year Three,” she said. “But we’re firm believers that everyone can sing and everyone should.” The Pingelly choir has performed throughout the Wheatbelt and in 2021 a special performance of We Are Australian at Wave Rock in Hyden became a viral online hit. As well as raising money and experiencing the thrill of performing, the children said that are also keen to meet some of their favourite stars at Telethon including cast members from Home and Away, cricketers and netball players and Fat Cat. For choir leader Ms Moulton, seeing the sense of achievement the children get out of performing is a wonderful thing. “That is the best part about performing with these kids,” she said. “I watch their little faces when they get that applause and seeing them light up and going ‘look what we’ve done, these people are clapping for us’ — that’s the best feeling.” The children said that they hope to follow their performance at Telethon this year by opening the 2024 AFL grand final if the invitation is extended.