Dilkusha girls winners with their choir

from w
Dilkusha Primary School celebrate after winning first prize in the singing contest, and best conductor at the Methodist conference at Furnival Park in Suva today. The Conference kicked off with a soli and children's choirs. The adult choirs will sing in Centenary Church in the daytime and Furnival Park at night. It's raining as usual!

Peceli and I have a soft spot for Dilkusha schools, orphanage and the little church near the river as we lived in Shantiniwas one year. The photo of the church was taken by Petere Williams.

And there were dozens of other winners though some choirs were only half-size because of the school term alteration and the children were all over the place being holidays. Some other winners (so far) were Jasper Williams, Delana, Lelean, Ballantine, QVS, Samabula East, Davuilevu, YPD, and even the military got at least two trophies. No matter that the 'official' position of the Methodist Church is to disapprove of the regime! There are no overseas this year - sometimes choirs come from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland and Wellington and not only sometimes win a trophy or two but give large soli donations. I wonder why the choirs did not attend. I don't expect many Vanua Levu choirs will be there this time as their members are too busy getting ready for the Conference in Naduri a week away.