The acoustics of the Defence Headquarters courtyard at Russell Offices in Canberra may have left something to be desired, but the recent choir performance held there was befitting of the Philharmonie de Paris.
Members of the Australian Military Wives Choir treated Defence personnel and public service staff to a lunchtime serenade on October 17.
The choir was in Canberra for its national workshop, and its annual meeting was a chance for members of 14 choirs from across the country to come together.
They may not have known each other well, but a shared love of singing and understanding the hardships that come with a transient military life were common ground for the 80 or so women.
Suzanne found instant family when she joined the choir's Canberra branch.
"It means so much when you're in a new location to just turn up and go, 'I'm new'," Suzanne said.
"When you post to a new location, the serving member goes straight into a job; you've got to get the kids to school, sort the house, and you're kind of lost.
"It means the world knowing that there's this little warm network that's just waiting for you."
'We joke that if we have a rehearsal and one person doesn't cry, then we probably haven't done it right.'
Jaqui was another military wife who found friendship on the back of a songbook.
She started the Melbourne branch in 2022 after connecting online with another woman whose family was posting from Newcastle.
They now have 11 members and practise three times a month at the local RSL.
Like Suzanne, Jaqui said the love of singing was a drawcard, but the friendships that came from a community who faced similar experiences kept people coming back.
"I've made a lot of female friends who share this journey; that's important to me," Jacqui said.
Whether it's a spouse, partner, mother or grandmother, any woman who has a connection to Defence can join - including those who serve.
Australian Military Wives Choir patron Belinda said songs were chosen to reflect themes of service.
You won't hear anything from Metallica, but classics from The Beatles and Bobby Darin get a whirl, alongside très modern tracks from the Trolls World Tour.
The choir's signature song, Military Wife - a reflection on modern military service - holds a special place for Belinda.
"The lovely thing is everyone has a different connection with a different song - their experiences come out in the lyrics," she said.
"We joke that if we have a rehearsal and one person doesn't cry, then we probably haven't done it right."
The choir is supported through the Family Support Funding Program, administered by Defence Member and Family Support. The program provides grants of up to $200,000 to not-for-profit organisations delivering initiatives that strengthen wellbeing, connection and resilience for Defence families.
