Over 400 frontline workers come together for Royal Melbourne Hospital’s ‘Scrub Choir’
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10.09.2020

Over 400 frontline workers come together for Royal Melbourne Hospital’s ‘Scrub Choir’

Words by Kate Streader

The RMH Scrub Choir has delivered a powerful rendition of The Pretenders’ ‘I’ll Stand By You’.

Earlier this year, over 200 staff members from the Royal Melbourne Hospital came together in song with its ‘Scrub Choir’, delivering an uplifting cover of Bruno Mars’ ‘Count on Me’.

To bring joy to Melburnians amidst the ongoing lockdowns in Victoria, the Scrub Choir has come together once again.

Now featuring twice as many members, the Scrub Choir’s latest performance sees over 400 RMH frontline workers participating in a cover of The Pretenders’ ‘I’ll Stand By You’.

The film clip is presented like a Zoom call and comprises hundreds of individual videos submitted by staff who can be seen decked out in PPE, dancing through the hospital, performing from their homes and playing instruments.

The clip is helmed by Nurse Kathy who leads the song in AUSLAN while also featuring many of the hospital’s nurses and interpreters sharing their native languages.

The project came together as a way for frontline workers to unwind after their shifts as well as aiming to bring some light and a sense of unity to those in lockdown.

“Scrub Choir 2 has served many purposes already for the RMH staff across these past difficult months,” said Dr Emma O’Brien OAM Head of Music Therapy and Scrub Choir.

“Scrub Choir helped us emotionally release after very difficult days at work on the frontline; it has brought us tiny moments of joy and respite that have a positive ripple effect across our days; it has lifted us up and helped us stay connected to our healthcare colleagues. We hope the community find inspiration in this release and that it brings hope,” added Dr O’Brien.

Check out the RMH Scrub Choir’s cover of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ below. 

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