World Premiere of song about Latrobe Valley set to showcase local pride

A music video featuring members of the Latrobe Valley community will launch this Social Inclusion Week, marking the World Premiere of a new song – My Valley, My Home, written by the multi award winning conductor of Choir of Hard Knocks – Dr Jonathon Welch AM.

The My Valley, My Home video will launch at 11am Tuesday November 24 on the Play It Forward Facebook page. A range of Latrobe Valley locals and organisations feature in the video and will be anticipating its online premiere, including Latrobe Regional Hospital, Morwell Central Primary School, Lifeline Gippsland, Traralgon Fire Brigade, local business owners and many others.

Developed in partnership between Latrobe Health Assembly, Latrobe Valley Community Choir, and Play It Forward, the My Valley, My Home video project is a celebration of Latrobe and the importance of social inclusion.

Jonathon Welch composed the song My Valley, My Home following conversations and workshops with students at Morwell Central Primary School and has been working with the Latrobe Valley Community Choir to bring the song to life. Operating virtually in recent months, the Latrobe Valley Community Choir have been busy learning and rehearsing the song ahead of its recording. Project Manager Tineke Westwood has also been busy collecting footage from other local contributors keen to lend their support to the project.

“It is heart-warming to see the positive responses of our community members. To be able to connect together through such a beautiful song is incredible” Ms Westwood said.

“During the filming we could hear people singing from all corners My Valley, My home…. The smiles on people’s faces made my day! Especially in the current situation, people welcomed this great inclusive project.”

The launch will take place during Social Inclusion Week, an annual initiative running from Nov 21-29 in 2020. Social Inclusion Week seeks to address isolation and exclusion of those who may be marginalised by helping all Australians feel included and valued.

“The My Valley, My Home project is in so many ways, the perfect social inclusion project, and such a wonderful way of bringing the Latrobe Valley community together to connect, collaborate and celebrate all the strengths and talents that abound here. It has been my greatest joy and honour to artistically create and facilitate this project and my heartfelt thanks go to every community member that have participated along with the amazing support of the Latrobe Health Assembly and my wonderful team at Play It Forward led on the ground by our Project Manager and Latrobe Valley local, Tineke Westwood.” said Dr Welch.

Latrobe Health Assembly Chair Tanya Rong looks forward to the video’s premiere.

“Creating the My Valley, My Home video has already had such a positive impact on participants. We can’t wait to spread that positivity further by sharing the song and showcasing the great things our community is capable of” Ms Rong said.