Our First Life Member
Peter Conomos
Peter Conomos, the first recipient of Life Membership of the Queensland Irish Choir speaks about his life.
“Like very many Greek families in Brisbane, my father migrated from the island of Kythera when he was 16. Dad and mum raised our family of five (3 boys and 2 girls) in Toowoomba. We later moved to Brisbane and I embarked on a career in retailing. In 1956, I was honoured to run with the Melbourne Olympic torch after passing a time trial.
“I had a Woolworths retailing management appointment at Nambour, interacting well with the community in Rotary, Rostrum (public speaking) and a main role in a musical, which all helped with my personal development. I rose rapidly in management, being transferred to Melbourne where I opened the first Big W store in Australia. I was keen to return to Queensland as I had plans to marry. I obtained a management position with Target in Queensland and soon became Regional General Manager. However, I resigned from Target after the passing of my wife Stephne (aged 50) from cancer.
“I was always keen on music, taking clarinet lessons for 2 years and playing with St Johns Ambulance Concert Band. We played at New Farm Park and the Botanical Gardens, and later became the Brisbane Citizens Concert Band. I retired from that band about 6 months ago.
“I joined the Tara Singers about 20 years ago. In the choir’s formative years, we were under the direction of Patricia Kelly, a formidable conductor and arranger of choir music, such as her “An Irish Blessing” which we still sing today. Our choir also sang at King George Square for Tartan Day supporting the Campbells and other Scottish clans.
“One concert I’ll never forget was a Music of the Isles concert when the Tara Singers joined the Lions Male Voice Choir from the UK at the Irish Club with conductor David O’Keeffe and the accompanist Tim Li for our choir. Another mighty choral event was at the old Sandgate Town Hall. Hall capacity was 230, but an amazing roll-up of nearly 400 turned up which was a record result for the choir. With the closure of the Qld Irish Club in Brisbane, we found another regular concert venue - the German Club at Woolloongabba. When I’m not crooning with the basses in our choir, I regularly enjoy singing in Greek with a group of senior Greek fellows.
“I have now happily retired from the choir executive and let new faces add new energy to that of the experienced stalwarts: President Morag Wilson, Vice-President Brendan Williams, Secretary Richard Healy and Treasurer Joy O’Connor. (PS: I sure will miss Morag’s after-meeting baking delights).”
