News
Hills Ukulele Festival 2026
There'll be Music in the Hills of Victoria at the Hills Ukulele Festival. And we'll be there!
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Another gig on the horizon!
The UkeAlohas are once again out and about this Friday, sharing the Aloha Spirit with our “Anthems of Inspiration” Roadshow at the Box Hill Salvos CHATS group.
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Melbourne Ukulele Festival 2026
Following our success at the recent Multicultural Festival, we’re excited to be performing again at Australia’s premier Ukulele event — the Melbourne Ukulele Festival (MUF). It’s always a privilege to be part of something this special, and to help create opportunities for our group to shine.
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Multicultural Festival Gig Timetable
Here's the confirmed final program for our Multicultural Festival Gig. Our combined group of players - The UkeAlohas - are on at approximately 11.45.
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Multicultural Family Fun Day
2 more sleeps to go! Our intrepid and generous ukulele group The UkeAlohas are playing at this wonderful, free, multicultural family fun day.
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UkeAlohas Community Gigs – Sharing the Aloha Spirit Through Music
Our incredible GuitarStart music students are once again sharing their time, talent & hearts with the community. In true "Aloha spirit", they give freely of themselves to spread connection, kindness & musical joy — something especially meaningful in these challenging times.
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Music with Meaning: Our Tribute to Jimmy Cliff "I Can See Clearly Now"
Thank you, Jimmy Cliff, for the music and the inspiration. And congratulations to my students for bringing this tribute to life with such heart, skill, and aloha spirit.
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Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival
What a great weekend! I spent last weekend immersed in a folk and bluegrass festival — performing, learning, listening, and connecting with some truly wonderful people.
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Notice from Musicians Australia
The notices say it all! Please read, consider, and endorse this claim if you wish to support the ongoing professional development and recognition of Music Educators in Australia.
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We're launching new Ukulele sessions at Box Hill South Neighbourhood House
New Wednesday Night Ukulele Groups at Box Hill South Neighbourhood House starting next term.
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Free trial Ukulele lesson Seniors Week on 16 October
There are free Seniors Week lessons at The Avenue Neighborhood House 16th October – 1.30pm Advanced, 2.45pm Beginners, 4.00pm Intermediate.
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Spreading Joy – One Strum at a Time
The Avenue Neighborhood House newsletter highlights the efforts of our wonderful GuitarStart Music students and community supporters.
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A big thank you for donations to the Grow the Music Charity
Thank you to our Ukulele players and the Neighborhood House communities for the donations of Musical Instruments to the "Grow the Music" charity.
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Low G string, or high G string Ukulele – which is best?
Read what expert players say about Low-G vs. High-G tuning. For me, it changes depending on the music.
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We're playing at the Hills Ukulele Festival
Sunday 18 May 3.45 - 4.15. A wonderful, family-friendly, and free event in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges. Come and support us if you can!
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Grow the Music Donation Drive
Along with the cooperation of local Neighborhood Houses, we are are collecting & donating Musical instruments for "Grow the Music".
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Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters tribute at the Surrey Hills Music Festival
The SHNUkers proudly present our "Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters" tribute at the Surrey Hills Music Festival Main Stage with a special guest appearance by the supremely talented, friend of the SHNUkers, Floyd Thursby!
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4 Community Gigs in 4 months, whew!
After the success of our recent "Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters" Tribute shows at the Surrey Hills Music Festival, and Melbourne Ukulele Festival, we are now looking forward to playing at the local Salvos CHATS group tomorrow; and then again next month at the Hills Ukulele Festival.
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Our "Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters" traveling roadshow continues!
We have just been booked to play at the 2025 Melbourne Ukulele Festival Sunday 16 March 2025.
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New Program: Get your Groove on with Guitar
Looking for a challenge? This is for Ukulele players who wish to "graduate" to the guitar for increased challenges, versatility, and satisfaction Also suitable for Guitar players who know the basic chords of C,A,G,E,D.
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Music Educators 2024 Survey
I appreciate the camaraderie, fellowship, and shared learning from our wonderful students; and various industry groups such as Musicians Australia, Community Music Victoria, & the Australian Ukulele Teachers & Leaders Association.
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The SHNUkers Ukulele Band will perform at the Surrey Hills Music Festival
The "Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters" Roadshow continues! Our first confirmed booking for the 2025 Festival and Gig season: The SHNUkers Ukulele Band will perform at the Surrey Hills Music Festival Sat 22nd Feb 2025, on the Main Stage at 2.00 - 2.30 pm.
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2025 Traveling Roadshow Gigs: Blues Brothers, Soul Sisters
We look forward to paying tribute to the wonderful Women & Men who have enriched our lives through Music.
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We sponsor a Deakin University Business student
I am very happy to sponsor a Deakin University Business student to attend the upcoming Whitehorse Business Group "What's Happening in Whitehorse" seminar.
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Des joins the Music Educators Working Group
Musicians Australia has formed a Music Educators Working Group to "advance the safety, fairness, and working conditions of musician educators who do such vital work in our communities ".
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Hills Ukulele Festival (HUF)
The Students excel the Teacher!
Our intrepid group of UkeAlohas courageously, professionally, and joyously played on at the recent Hills Ukulele Festival (HUF); without me and other Covid-affected players who couldn't make it.
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Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
It's a great cause! Supporting the Cancer Council. Sadly, most of us have been affected directly or have a loved one who has been affected by cancer.
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Our 3rd "Elvis Lives!" gig in 3 months. Can we do it? Yes we can!
We are looking forward to presenting our "Elvis Lives!" traveling roadshow for the upcoming Hills Ukulele Festival (HUF) Sunday 19 May 2024.
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Donation Drive for Grow the Music
A big thank you to all our wonderful students who donated their instruments for "Grow the Music". GTM has been developing music communities in remote & regional Australia since 2012.
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UkeAlohas at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival 2024
“That was great! Can you play at our upcoming Music Festival?”; “Best performance so far!”; “It's great to see how well the players from the 6 different groups play together so seamlessly”.
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Australian Ukulele Teachers & Leaders Association (AUTLA) PD day
I enjoyed meeting with other Ukulele Teachers & Leaders from the Australian Ukulele Teachers & Leaders Association (AUTLA) at our recent PD day.
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The Students excel the teacher!
One of our Ukulele students - Owen Dent - has entered the Melbourne Ukulele Festival Songwriters competition.
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"ELVIS LIVES!" tribute performance details
Event: Melbourne Ukulele Festival
Date: Sunday 17th March
Time: 2.55 - 3.25 pm
Where: Chalice Hall, 251 High Street NORTHCOTE
Come & support us if you can!
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our combined Music group is playing at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival!
The UkeAlohas are a diverse, multi-talented & happy bunch of musicians from all walks of life.
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Announcing our upcoming "Elvis Lives" Tribute traveling roadshow!
As the Melbourne Ukulele Festival Director has remarked - “Elvis lives! Sounds awesome! Looking forward to seeing it!”
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Happy New Year to all!
As we enter our 2nd decade of business (and the Year of the Dragon 2024) - may the Dragon's characteristics of nobility, honor, luck, and success be with you all.
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GuitarStart/UkeStart 10 year anniversary!
When I prepared my SBV (Small Business Victoria) Business Plan in the 2nd half of 2013; I never imagined that I would gain so much enjoyment and satisfaction. There have been so many highlights, and I look forward to many more!
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Feedback & Photos
See some feedback and photos from our recent Garage Sale Trail Gig.
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Christmas joy at The Avenue Neighbourhood House Christmas party
Christmas is coming! And so are the end of year parties, festivities, & Chrissy gigs.
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I've joined the Musicians Australia Music Education Working Group
Recently, I have been invited to, and joined, the Musicians Australia Music Education Working Group.
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What if for one day everything stopped?
And we all just listened to the music....
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Getting around Rotary
Over the last month I have enjoyed participating in some of the local Rotary Club meetings.
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The Magical Mystery Tour continues!
Here are some photos from our 3rd Beatles Tribute traveling Roadshow; at the local John Flynn village.
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The 2nd of our Beatles Tribute travelling Roadshow by the UkeAlohas!
The 2nd of our Beatles Tribute travelling Roadshow by the UkeAlohas! We performed last week at the local Salvation Army hall for their regular community group meeting.
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The first of our Beatles Tribute travelling Roadshow!
Our UkeAlohas Showband consists of members from 5 different Ukulele groups, along with friends & family members.
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Still learning with professional development
It's not all singing & playing & having a good time. At the recent Melbourne Ukulele Festival (MUF) I was privileged to undertake some professional development with my peers in the Australian Ukulele Teachers' & Leaders' Association.
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Performing at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival!
The first of our Beatles Tribute Roadshows launches at the Melbourne Ukulele Festival! (confirmed Sun 19 Mar 4.15 pm at Chalice Church Hall 251 High St Northcote)
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UkeAlohas played at the Vermont South Neighbourhood House
The sun started shining on the 18th of November in time for the UkeAlohas to play in the sun at the Vermont South Neighbourhood House.
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