PRESS RELEASE
Order of Australia Medal for Dr Jonathon Welch, founding Music Director of the Choir of Hope and Inspiration, formerly known as the Choir of Hard Knocks

Dr Jonathon Welch, renowned Australian humanitarian, has been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List on 8th June 2009. Jonathon has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his tireless work in bringing hope and inspiration to homeless and disadvantaged Australians, and also honoured for his contribution to the music industry as a highly regarded opera singer and vocal coach.

As Founding Music Director of the ARIA, Logie and Helpmann Award-winning Choir of Hard Knocks, Jonathon Welch found a platform whereby he could realise his passion for helping disadvantaged and homeless people achieve their dreams and ambitions through music. These people, under the guidance of Jonathon and his unique teaching methods, have found a sense of family & belonging. From humble beginnings, Jonathon and his Choir went on to become one of the great success stories in the history of Australian music. In line with this success and the personal development and achievements of the Choir members, Jonathon and original members of the Choir embarked on a nationwide search for a new name that would celebrate their new found independence. The new name, Choir of Hope & Inspiration, truly encompasses the hopes & dreams of Jonathon and his choir members.

"It is such an honour, to be awarded one of Australia's highest honours for what I have always loved doing and have managed to make a career of all these years. Music has not just been a job for me, it has been my passion and in many ways saved my own life, so to have the chance to make my contribution back to the community and this country I love so much, is my greatest honour.

"I would also like to share this award with all my wonderful teachers, mentors, family and friends, as well as my partner Matt, who have all supported, loved and encouraged me to be the best I can be, so that I can now help to bring out the best in others. This award belongs as much to them, as well as all my beautiful choir members from every choir I have had the honour to lead, especially Sydney Street Choir and the Choir of Hard Knocks – now known as the Choir of Hope & Inspiration.

"I hope that I am a good ambassador for them as they inspire me to be the best that I can be each and every day, and I hope that I will have another joyful three decades of music making with them."

With a highly successful career spanning three decades as a singer, teacher, conductor, recording artist and song writer, Jonathon has some 60 stage roles to his credit and has performed with many of the world’s great artists including Dame Joan Sutherland, kd lang, Jimmy Somerville, Baz Luhrman and Graeme Murphy to name a few. Jonathon has also performed with most of Australia’s State Symphony Orchestras, and his many television appearances have included his role as a judge on Channel 7’s Battle of the Choirs in 2008 have won the hearts of Australians as he has brought his unique skills and talents along with his huge compassion for the underdog. His debut album, With a Song in My Heart was released through ABC Classics.

Jonathon has also been awarded Victorian and Australian of the Year 2008 – Local Hero, ANZAC of the Year 2008, RMIT Communicator of the Year, and a Mo Award for his contribution to the lives of the homeless and disadvantaged in Australia through his consuming passion for sharing music to help create community and develop confidence and self esteem. The recent release of his memoirs, Choir Man, in early 2009 through Harper Collins documents his story so far.

See Jonathon's ABC TV interview: www.abc.net.au/news/video/2009/06/08/2591762.htm

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