by Bonnie Collings
On Saturday October 21, the Baw Baw Singers will take to the West Gippsland Arts Centre forecourt for their World Singing Day performance.
With the aim of encouraging community members at the Warragul Farmers' Market and Arts Market to join in, the Baw Baw Singers will perform a selection of well-know sing-along songs between 10:30 and 11:30 am.
Musical director, Libby Willems, said the Baw Baw Singers are one of the few Australian groups who will participate in World Singing Day.
"World Singing Day global awareness day, aiming to raise the profile of singing as a really healthy thing to do," Libby said.

"It stemmed out of Boulder Colorado and now it's all around the world. There aren't too many groups in Australia that participate so we're really proud to be in there early and representing Baw Baw."
The focus of World Singing Day this year is on mental health and the benefits that singing in a group setting can provide.
"Singing as an activity is really good for social, emotional and physical health and for getting out there and socialising," Libby said.
The Baw Baw Singers have been preparing for World Singing Day for around a month, gradually introducing the songs into their repertoire.
Libby said she wants to encourage the community to sing together in a group, especially adults who might be tentative to give it a go.
"We're inviting people to let their guard down and have a bit of a sing," she said. "You'll know at least half the songs and if you don't, the lyrics are there. We really hope that people in the audience will join in and be brave. No one would discourage you from playing netball as an adult even if you weren't on the Australian Diamonds team, they'd still want you to give it a go. It's the same for singing. This is not about being a star on stage, it's about having fun."
President of Baw Baw Singers, Fred Allen, said that when people come together to sing, it helps put you in a good mood.
"Our motto is "sing, have fun be happy," so we encourage people to do that," Fred said. "When you sing and express yourself, it sets up a whole new mood in your brain and makes you feel happy."
World Singing Day's message that group singing helps people socialise is epitomised in the structure of the weekly Baw Baw Singers sessions.
"We sing and then we have time for socialisation," Fred said. "A lot of people come for the socialisation part because they don't get to see a lot of people through the week. Because they've been singing together for 10 to 12 years, they've got a good friendship and look forward to seeing each other every week."
Sue Waddell has been involved with the Baw Baw Singers for almost the entire time they have been in operation.
She said the joy of singing together as a group of close friends has been a major highlight for her.
"The Baw Baw Singers are all great friends, we've gotten to know each other quite well over the years," Sue said. "Performing is terrific, especially when we go sing at the aged care homes, you really feel like you're giving back to the community. That aspect of group singing is something I really like."
Baw Baw Singers is open to any age group and any skill level, providing an opportunity for anyone who likes to sing.
"There's no audition required to join and it's open to any age group," said Fred. "We've had kids as young as five and people up to 95 coming along to sing."
The World Singing Day performance will run for around an hour on the West Gippsland Arts Centre forecourt. There is a wet weather plan in place to allow the event to go ahead regardless of rain. All members of the community are invited to join in the singing.