SOUTH East students are among those singing the praises of a major human feat five decades on.
Returning to the classroom following the mid-year holiday break, South East students were thrust straight back into rehearsals for the upcoming South East Primary Schools Music Festival, which features a song to mark the moon landing 50th anniversary.
It was on July 21, 1969 at around 3.30pm (SA time) that astronaut Neil Armstrong took his first step on the moon and delivered his now famous line “that’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind”.
Festival choir teacher Vivienne Dowling remembers the historic moment like it was yesterday, celebrating her 11th birthday on the occasion.
Half a century on, Ms Dowling worked with students yesterday as they practiced The Children of The World, a song with strong links to the Apollo 11 mission.
“The song is all about the moon landing and I was so surprised when I started learning it as I just thought ‘this is my song’,” she said.
“I am now able to tell all the choirs I visit, when I was their age the first man walked on the moon.
“It is pretty special and is something I am able to relate to with the children.”
Ms Dowling recalls the day in 1969, staying home from school at the family farm to watch with the world as the landing was broadcast.
“We were all excited and were cooking up cupcakes and biscuit slices,” she said.
“Mid-morning my father and uncle stopped all farm duties and gathered around my uncle’s black-and-white television to watch it.
“We also had a party for my birthday so it was all very exciting.”
Ms Dowling touched on her experience when visiting Glenburnie Primary School yesterday for the combined small schools choir rehearsal.
“When I arrived we actually used the moon-landing as a learning experience for the students,” she said.
“They all knew what happened, who was involved and understood the event.”
The Allendale East Area School, Mount Gambier North Primary School and Glenburnie Primary School choir trainer said she was privileged to share a connection with the historical milestone.
Music festival orchestra conductor Laura Small said Ms Dowling’s story helped students connect with the songs.
“It is definitely their favourite song from the program, probably because they share a connection,” Ms Small said.
“The rehearsal was a great way to start the term,” she said.
“The kids are invested in learning and it is great to see them passionate about something.”
Schools from across the Limestone Coast will fill the Sir Robert Helpmann Theatre from October 23 to 25 for the festival.
