Canowindra girl Gordi sang the national anthem at the Australian open last week. She shared this photo and message on Facebook: “Last time I sang the national anthem in front of a crowd it was to perhaps 30 people in Canowindra’s Morris Park when I was 11. In a small step up, I will be performing the anthem at the women’s and men’s Australian Open final last weekend. Hazaar!”
Sophie Payten walks a fine line between her two passions, holding them both carefully. When COVID put a stop to live music, the ARIA award nominee known professionally as Gordi, put her skills to good use, working as a doctor on the Melbourne frontline last year.
As different as the two professions may seem, Sophie says there are common threads.
“I think the main connection between the two things is the aspect of story in each. In music, I am telling my own story. I try to craft a story into a song through lyrics and melody and create meaning through that. In medicine, I am sitting across from someone who is telling me their story and I need to repackage it and process it back into something that is meaningful to them,” Sophie said.
Similarly, both occupations provide help to those in need in their own ways. Next week, Sophie will be using her musical skills to benefit her hometown when she performs at the Country Education Foundation Canowindra (CEF) fundraiser on Saturday, 6 March.
The CEF was established to provide much needed financial assistance and support to local youth, to help them achieve their post high school education, training and vocation aspirations. Understanding that the costs of pursuing goals may be prohibitive, especially when compared with costs for city-dwellers, CEF aims to reduce these expenses to allow local students a chance at almost anything.
Throughout the year, CEF accepts donations from residents and businesses, which are used to provide financial grants to students who need a helping hand. CEF does not receive any government funding, which means all the money they raise is for the community, by the community, a cause which is close to Sophie’s heart.
“Coming from a rural area sometimes you do need that extra bit of support to take you where you want to go, particularly beyond school,” said Sophie about the work of CEF. “I have keenly felt the support from the Canowindra community and I am keen for other people to feel that too.”
Sophie will share the stage with Bonny Rai, Ben Nash (78 Saab) and Joe Wythes at the CEF Fundraiser at the Canowindra Showground next Saturday evening.
Read the complete transcript of Verity’s interview with Sophie here: www.canowindraphoenix.com.au/gordi-interview/