Music has been a part of Mavis Francis’ life from the moment she was born. When she isn’t practicing at home, she is performing in various choirs and musical groups including the Sunraysia Community Choir and Gol Gol Community Band. Caitlyn Morgan chats to Mavis about her “lifelong passion”. Pictures: Louise Barker
MUSIC was such an important part of Mavis Francis’ childhood that her parents decided against purchasing a television as it would distract Mavis and her siblings from practicing to play their instruments.
This dedication paid off with the talented musician forming a lifelong love of music.
“Music really does make our life richer and it’s something that is so much a part of me,” Mavis says.
“There was always lots of singing in our household while growing up. Both my parents were very musical with my mum a trained singer.
“They would always sing loudly in church, at the time I was embarrassed but now I admire it.
“They thought music was so important that when televisions became available they wouldn’t get one as they believed it would take away our practice time.”
Mavis first learnt to play the piano before extending her skill set to play the piano accordion, guitar, ukulele, recorder, Irish whistle and most recently the trombone.
Following in the footsteps of her parents, Mavis became a teacher but she wasn’t any ordinary classroom teacher.
“I had majored in music and every school I taught at, I ensured to bring a lot music into the classroom,” she says.
“Music uses both sides of the brain and makes for well-rounded individuals.”
As a young newlywed, Mavis took a leap of faith and left her life behind in Zimbabwe to move to Australia, where she begun teaching in Sunraysia.
“It was a really dangerous time in Zimbabwe, the rest of my family moved to South Africa while we moved here,” she says.
“We landed in Sydney, went for an interview the next day, where we were told we wouldn’t get a job but I did get a job in Wentworth – a place no one else had heard of or knew where it was.
“We didn’t know a single soul but the community took us under their wings and made us feel so welcome. That is why I feel so at home in Sunraysia and why I wouldn’t live anywhere else.”
Since moving to Sunraysia, Mavis has taught at various local primary schools with her longest stint at the Gol Gol Public School.
“While I may be a trained classroom teacher I have always been involved in school productions and choirs,” she says,
“Music brings such joy to our lives, it’s an aspect that all schools should have.”
Since retiring as a teacher earlier this year, Mavis has kept herself busy with her involvement in several community groups, which includes the Sunraysia Community Choir, Junior Sunraysia Community Choir, Gol Gol Community Band, Recorders in Company, Mildura District Orchestra and Stray Notes.
“Choir has always been my first love, I love conducting and directing,” she says.
“Choirs are such happy places, it lifts the spirits of everyone. Everyone is there because they love to sing and everyone is so welcoming to anyone who wants to join. This is a new adventure, a new sector of my life.”
