about

The Victorian Trade Union Choir was formed in Melbourne in 1990 as part of a revival of trade union choirs throughout Australia. Traditionally, songs have played a vital role in progressive social movements worldwide, and we are maintaining and developing this tradition in Victoria.

We are a group of union members who come together to sing. We see ourselves as belonging to the Victorian trade union movement, providing a musical voice to the union message.

We sing in acapella style and are therefore able to perform anywhere the voice of protest needs to be heard — in Melbourne, in Victoria, and beyond!

Our Musical Director is Michael Roper, a respected music teacher and community musician.
Photos: Peter Weaving

Banner: ELEMENT design sign print

The objectives of the choir include:

to encourage trade union membership and to promote and celebrate the philosophy of the trade union movement and social justice through song;
to maintain and develop the rich tradition of songs of progressive labour and social movements, both past and present, Australian and international and, in doing so, to reflect the multicultural nature of Australian society;
to participate in the development of a vital trade union culture, by sharing songs, skills, information, ideas, training, and performances within the Choir and with other progressive choirs, music groups, individual musicians, songwriters and performance artists;
to perform in public, particularly for trade unions and other progressive social groups;

All this, and to have a lot of fun as well!