After the many voices of discord raised outside Immigration Minister Scott Morrison’s Cronulla office over the federal government’s refugee policy, today saw a rare note of harmony.
The Cheep Trills, a group of women friends who meet in each others homes every week to sing, held a sing-in outside Mr Morrison’s office in Cronulla Mall this morning to voice their concerns about the the treatment of refugees.
‘‘We have been singing for 10 years, usually for friends,’’ Cheep Trills member Diana Gray said.
‘‘This is our first public performance. We cannot remain silent about the treatment of refugees
‘‘From now on we are going to keep singing in public on a regular basis until somebody hears us and listens and the government’s refugee policy changes.’’
Their repertoire for their first public performance included the songs Freedom Train, Lean on Me and the Wings of a Dove.
The Cheep Trills members are all professionals and include a pharmacist, librarian, an environmental scientist, teachers, social workers and disability and aged advocates.
Member Hannie Hoffmann said the group was wearing black for sorrow and red for anger and passion.
Prior to their performance, Cheep Trills spokeswoman Barbara Guthrie went to Mr Morrison’s office and presented his staff with a leaflet stating the group’s concerns and aims.
‘‘We realised a lot of the songs we sing are about peace, freedom and justice,’’ Ms Guthrie said.
‘‘We asked ourselves should we sing behind closed doors about their principles while our government goes to increasing extremes to deny them to vulnerable people seeking refuge in our country from war and persecution?’’
‘‘So here we are singing out in the open for the first time.’’
Mr Morrison was not in the electorate office at the time. A staff member for his office said there was no comment.
Did you see the Cheep Thrills performing outside Scott Morrison’s office? Do you support their cause?