The magic of music was there for all to see and enjoy.
The ability of song to bring people together and lift their spirits was welcome after such a challenging year.
Young and old, residents and visitors … the Noosa Carols Cruise last Friday evening drew exceptional tributes from first-timers as well as those in the community who are making it an annual event.
Picnics were packed and rugs set out at vantage points along the Noosa River from Tewantin to Noosa Heads as the Noosa Ferry’s Miss Tewantin glided along the waters.
On board were the Sunshine Coast Oriana Choirs small ensemble, singing carols from throughout the ages at riverside parks.
At the same time the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir were singing at three of the parks – Ravenwood, Noosa West and Noosa Heads Lions Park.
The ferry also stopped at Settlers Cove landing.
Following the ferry was a flotilla of water craft – power boats and party pontoons, water skis – even Noosa’s gondolier.
Reed & Co founding director Adrian Reed said it was an outstanding event.
“It was a huge success and the largest turn-out yet, both on the water and in the parks.
“The community’s response has been well received and nothing short of amazing.
“It warmed my heart to see so much effort the community went to with decorating their boats, gathering at the stops in their Christmas spirit attire and hosting friends and family at their waterfront properties just for the Carol Cruise.
“We cannot praise the Oriana Choir enough as their harmonic voices travelled along the river in harmony and lifted the Christmas spirit of many.
“The Sunshine Coast Youth Choir was a lovely surprise for the patrons who joined us at one of the four parkland stops as they sung after the Noosa Ferry and Orana Choir made their way to the next stop.
“The event gets better and better every year.’’
For Sunshine Coast Oriana Choir president Melissa Innes, it was a wonderful opportunity to be part of such an event.
“One cannot help but smile when, looking up from the music, you see a flotilla of joyous community members, from all walks of life in their kayaks, tinnies, fishing boats, luxury power boats, and yachts.
“It’s a broad grin of happiness.
“It’s about the feeling of giving, and just being able to use the talent you were fortunate to be born with – to share with others and bring them seemingly a great amount of happiness. “Watching our youth choir on the shore, and the joy of the children in taking part in something as rewarding and uplifting as community Christmas carols, was also inspiring and extremely fulfilling.
“It was especially rewarding to see hard-working members of the community taking some time out to relax and indulge in a bit of Christmas joy – the faces in the boats and lining the shores were just beaming as they listened to us sing … it felt so good.’’
The performance by Oriana from the top deck of the ferry reflected the adaptability, commitment, and passion of the singers for sharing their voices.
“It’s such a special group of utterly dedicated singers that come together to make this music,’’ Ms Innes said. “I feel indebted to them all.
“We are grateful that businesses such as Reed & Co, AV partners and Noosa Ferries care about and value their role in the community so much that they would invest in an event like this. “Well done to them and congratulations to their team on bringing such joy to their community.’’
