A talkgivenat theFinalConcert,
FromOurHeartsToYours.
Good evening my name is Luke McPharlin.
Some of you may know that I play football
for Gregs favourite team, the Fremantle
Dockers. But why I’m really here is to make
a presentation to Greg on behalf of a great
numberofpeople.
Tonight, my wife and my mother performed
in this choir, and I alongwithmy three other
siblingshavebeenapartofmanyperformances
and musicals staged by Greg over the years.
Greg has even taughtmusic tomy two young
daughters.
So you seemy family’s connectionwithGreg
andhis choir runsdeep. I distinctly remember
my first experience of hearing his music as a
young boy and being enthralled by the sound
ofvoicessinging inharmony. Ittriggered inme
a passion formusic that has remained to this
day.
In these past few decades, Greg has, through
the medium of his beloved choir, created an
environment for hearts to come together;
lovingly cultivated a safe space for youth,
myself included, to grow in confidence and
explore their capacities; and carefully crafted
a microcosm of unity in diversity that he so
desires for theworld.
Greg, you stand today a towering figure in
the eyes of so many. A character of such
demonstrable strength and resilience it defies
belief. I thankyouonbehalfof themyriad lives
that you have touched and inspired with the
gift of yourmusic,with your generousnature,
and with the example of your irrepressible
soul.
LukeMcPharlin
