News

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!

Grow the Music Donation Drive

Along with the cooperation of local Neighborhood Houses, we are are collecting & donating Musical instruments for "Grow the Music".

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 ".

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.

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.

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.

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.

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”.

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.

The Students excel the teacher!

One of our Ukulele students - Owen Dent - has entered the Melbourne Ukulele Festival Songwriters competition.

"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!

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.

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!”

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.

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!

Feedback & Photos

See some feedback and photos from our recent Garage Sale Trail Gig.

Christmas joy at The Avenue Neighbourhood House Christmas party

Christmas is coming! And so are the end of year parties, festivities, & Chrissy gigs.

Elvis Lives!

Announcing our new Traveling Roadshow theme.

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.

What if for one day everything stopped?

And we all just listened to the music....

Getting around Rotary

Over the last month I have enjoyed participating in some of the local Rotary Club meetings.

The Magical Mystery Tour continues!

Here are some photos from our 3rd Beatles Tribute traveling Roadshow; at the local John Flynn village.

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.

The first of our Beatles Tribute travelling Roadshow!

Our UkeAlohas Showband consists of members from 5 different Ukulele groups, along with friends & family members.

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.

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)

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.

Gig at a local Community Housing estate

Here's a photo of our recent Gig at a local Community Housing estate, organised by the local Neighborhood House.

Whitehorse Business Group Awards Performance

Whitehorse Business Group Awards night Fri 21st October Award Winners Showcase: WBG asked Des to play on the night as they wanted to showcase their award winners.

Business Excellence Award - Sole Trader Category

GuitarStart has been awarded the Business Excellence Award - Sole Trader category for the Whitehorse Business Group's 20th Anniversary celebrations.

Happy 30th Birthday Box Hill Community Arts Centre

The online exhibition commemorating the 30th Anniversary of BHCAC has been officially released. BHCAC has been running 30 years as an active and growing hub for arts and related community groups. We were asked to write a short reflection on our time at BHCAC.

GuitarStart awarded a Business Innovation Grant

We have been awarded a Business Innovation Grant from local Government - through Whitehorse City Council. 

What did Frank Woodley (Lano & Woodley) have to say about our performance?

Here's what Frank Woodley (Lano & Woodley) had to say about our GuitarStart Ukulele Group's recent Boroondara Festival performance: "gorgeous playing .... so uplifting .... a testament to their dedication to keep learning, keep connected to each other & keep the Music alive".

20th Anniversary Whitehorse Excellence in Business Awards 2020/2021

GuitarStart has now been nominated for the 20th Anniversary Whitehorse Excellence in Business Awards 2020/2021. This follows on from the recent "Feelgood in Whitehorse" story Award.

2nd Open-Mike Night

Better than Celebrity Gogglebox! - Big Kudos for our 2nd Open-Mike Night, Lock-down Event.

Feel Good Stories - #WhitehorseTogether

GuitarStart’s ZOOM-ULELE Groups have just been featured as part of Des’s’ Award "Feel Good Stories" #WhitehorseTogether". 

Inaugural OPEN-MIKE (Live Streaming) Sessions for GuitarStart Students & Families

Staying Socially Connected with Music: Last night we successfully launched our Inaugural OPEN-MIKE (Live Streaming) Sessions for GuitarStart Students & Families: Big Kudos to everyone supporting our Inaugural Open-Mike Night session. 

Music Lessons have got you Covid!

Thanks to the cooperation of local Neighborhood, Community, and Arts Centres, & the willingness of Students; we are now running most of our Music Lessons & Activities Online. 

Ukulele Cruise Australia (UCA)

Aloha Hawaii! Following on from our recent inaugural Melbourne Ukulele Cruise, Ukulele Cruise Australia (UCA) has booked me to do the upcoming Hawaii Cruise later this year. 9th - 22nd July 2020.

Melbourne Music Week Free Beginners’ Ukulele Workshop

Melbourne Music Week Free Beginners’ Ukulele Workshop hosted by our combined Groups.

Surrey Hills Music Festival 2019

"really enjoyed all the music and energy on Stage"; "I had enormous fun singing along"; "my baby couldn't stop dancing"; "bigger than the Beatles!".

Luxury Cruising? Ukulele? Warm weather?

All inclusive Cruise Activities? (Hey; I know it's a tough job but someone's got to do it)!