Australian Story: Sept 2

Australian Story profiles conductor Jonathon Welch, who is departing the Choir of Hard Knocks after 13 years.

The Choir of Hard Knocks ABC television series became a huge success when it was released more than a decade ago, making rock stars out of 50 of the most unlikely people.

Made up of the homeless, drug addicts and alcoholics, the choir sold out concerts at the Sydney Opera House, amassed an Aria award and a gold album.

Front and centre, clapping and crying, was its dedicated choirmaster Jonathon Welch, who was the lynchpin behind the group’s runaway success. But what many viewers didn’t know is that after the cameras stopped rolling, Jonathon continued to lead the choir.

“You don’t meet that many people with that amount of determination and compassion and love for people and music,” says former ABC manager, Denise Eriksen.

Twelve years on, his continued behind-the-scenes commitment to the choir – shared with husband Matt Jones – has come at a cost, both financially and emotionally.

“There have absolutely been times when I’ve wondered what the heck we’ve got ourselves into. And it’s been the most challenging thing I’ve done in my life,’” he says.

Australian Story follows Jonathon Welch and his beloved choir as they gear up for Jonathon’s final concert and reveals the family reasons driving his decision to hand over the baton.

“Matt and Jonathon always had in their mind that they would like children. And it came about in the most surprising way,’” says friend Stephen Blackburn.

Producer: Sarah Farnsworth

8pm Monday on ABC.