REMEMBERING LOUISE PHILLIPS (1966-2021)

'She taught us to be choir mothers!' (Carlene, mother of Mitchell, former Chorister).

Production timelines have prevented this article being published in the June print edition of Austinato but Jaye Chin-Dusting, former ABCI Chair, shares some recollections of a remarkable woman with the wider ABCI community.

On hearing Carlene’s statement, many in the alumni parent group who had gathered at together in May to remember Louise, nodded in agreement. Several others winced. And that summarises Louise Phillips in a nutshell.

Lynn, (parent of current TVC singers James and Daniel), might have described it best when she raised her glass to toast a friend she misses terribly: “Louise was different things to different people, but no one can deny that her passion and intention was always for the betterment of the Choir.” This time, everybody at the Jells Park gathering nodded.

Louise Phillips played several roles at the Australian Boys Choir: mother to singers Chris and Joel, Camp Leader on numerous Summer Music Schools, official archivist and touchpoint for Old Boys and Alumni, volunteer office administrator, Project Leader for the 70th and 75th Anniversary Celebrations, and finally General Manager in her only paid position at the ABCI. There was not much that happened around Choir House without Louise’s knowledge and input.

Bev, mother of Michael, also a former Chorister, recalls Louise making a strong impression, even before meeting her: “I was a carer at camp and remember comforting a very young, sad and homesick Chris [Phillips]. I asked what he thought mum might be doing at home thinking that might help comfort him. ‘Oh, mum is not at home’, he said, ‘mum is in the Falklands studying marine life!’ From that moment, I knew I had to meet this splendid woman. This was no ordinary mother!”

And indeed, she wasn't. Louise had five university degrees. Often smarter than anyone else in the room, she also had no issues bringing seemingly lesser mortals up to speed in no uncertain terms.

“I remember the strength of her convictions. I remember singing the praises of the choir which had just completed a paid performance backing the Final Fantasies video games concert to a 2000-strong audience at the Arts Centre,” Chris, father of former Head Chorister Alex, recalled. “Louise disagreed! She responded to me in a most disparaging, very loud, voice: ‘No, that was a musical travesty!’ Louise certainly did always have very clear and present opinions.”

Simone, mother of former Performing Choir brothers Jack and Ned, tells the most engaging tale: “I was waiting at Choir House for the bus to return Jack from his first Summer Camp. I didn't know many of the parents at that time. When the bus pulled up, Louise alighted (as Camp Leader) and made it her personal task to have a chat with every parent. When it was my turn, she confided that she had really wanted to meet me as she simply knew from getting to know Jack at camp that she would like his mother. It meant the world to me.”

“My vivid recollection was of an explosion of colourful presence (her hair was dyed a violent pink at the time) when she turned up late at a soiree and plonked herself bang in the middle of the audience!” recalled Harry’s mum Janet, with a laugh.

“I loved the TVC Sundowners she generously hosted at her home,” offered George’s mother Kay.

“I remember her professional acceptance when I objected to the way she had chided me for something I didn't believe was my responsibility.” remarked Wendy, mother to current TVC singer Tanum, and former Kelly Gang member Vasunta.

“I recall her frostiness when I arranged to hitch a ride on the bus with the Choir when they were on tour in Singapore,” recalled Helen, mother of another current TVC member, Stewart, “but that soon melted when she realised that I could sew and soon I was mending all their uniforms!”

Cathy and Alison, mothers of two different Toms, shared photographs with the group of Louise's extended reach - fanciful underwater themed masks made at summer music camp and a 'retro' three-legged race organised to celebrate the 70th anniversary. Louise enabled fun.

My personal recollection is of countless conversations, folding newsletters into envelopes, sitting close at Choir concerts, listening to her enthusiastic ideas at planning meetings and marvelling at her energy in gathering archival material of the choir. But what I remember most is her fierce love of her core family - David, Chris and Joel.

Yes, I could wax lyrical about Louise's very tangible contributions to the Choir over the past two decades. Yet it is the intangible that is so much more important.

Simply put, Louise was one of us - a parent from what many of us in that generation of parents secretly think of as the Golden Years of the Choir. Happily, for this long-standing and beloved organisation, it appears that all parents think of their years as the Golden Years.

Current Artistic Director Nick Dinopoulos recognised something exceptional in this particular parent. Dedicating the first concert since the onset of Covid-19, the aptly named Requiem for an Empress, to Louise Phillips, Nick celebrated her contribution with the highest honour our community knows: voices raised in song.

We came together at Jells Park to raise a glass to Louise and left feeling reconnected and sure Louise would be delighted to know that her final gift to the Choir was to bring parents together.

Alumni parents (Golden Years or otherwise!) wishing to catch-up informally can contact Lynn Roper or Jaye Chin-Dusting via the Choir Office.