Long time Knox resident Obed Wallis will return home to perform in uniform at Knox Carols, after divine intervention saw him land his dream role with the Royal Australian Navy Band.
Obed, who grew up in Wantirna, first performed in the Carols with local musical theatre group, 3d Arts Company. He was rehearsing for the carols in 2022 when a chance encounter altered the course of his life.
"We rock up at the tech rehearsal, which happens to be with the Navy Band," Obed says. "No less than two minutes into the tech rehearsal, I hear my name being yelled out and it turns out the euphonium player, Able Seaman Francis Piccin, is the dad of someone I went to high school with, and he lets me know there's this job opportunity. I kept thinking about it; I felt like God kept bringing it up as the next door to knock on."
Following a competitive audition process, Obed earned a place in the band and joined the Australian Defence Force based at HMAS Cerberus.
Now 25, the Able Seaman and musician says the carols offer a rare chance for the community to celebrate as one.
"So much of what we do communally has moved into an online space and I believe we lose a little bit of connection with one another as a community," he says. "Knox Carols is one of those special spaces where we still come together and we have this shared language around thanksgiving and celebrating and a message of hope. I think what's special about Knox Carols is the fact that we are physically together. We are physically one in that moment, we're celebrating the year that's been, together, and everything we have to be grateful for."
Obed, who is a lead vocalist with the band, says his "clear favourite" carol is O Holy Night.
"It's a classic for a reason," he says. "I always come back to it because the music is spectacular - super moving - and the lyrics are just married to them so perfectly and with so much meaning."
Knox Carols is a free event on Saturday 13 December from 4 pm - 9:30 pm at Wally Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully, kicking off with family entertainment, kids' activities and performances from the Knox Factor 2025 winners. The main show starts at 7:30pm, with a fireworks finale at 9:30pm. Knox Carols is proudly supported by principal partner Community Bank Ferntree Gully.
Find out more: knox.vic.gov.au/Carols
