Bride, Blodwyn Whitehead (nee Edmunds), Ipswich, 1955 – Image courtesy of F.A. Whitehead and Sons
Blodwyn Gwladys Whitehead, a well-known and much-loved past Ipswich resident, sadly passed away on 22 December, aged 81 years. A funeral service was held for Blodwyn at the Burleigh Heads Uniting church on Wednesday 6 January, 2016 and a musical tribute will also be held for her on Sunday the 24 January, 2.30pm at the Ipswich Uniting Church.
Coming from a musical family with three generations involved within the musical community it is no surprise Blodwyn Gladys Whitehead formed a love of music at an early age. Blodwyn Whitehead (nee Edmunds) began piano and singing lessons when she was seven years old, enjoying the lessons so much she was readily competing in the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfods as well as the Silkstone Methodist Eisteddfods, taking part in vocal solos, duets and choir. Her schooling took place at Silkstone State School where the principal encouraged music and choir events. She was a member of the school choir and a member of the Junior Cambrian Choir moving onto the Ipswich Intermediate Choral Society in her teen years. At age 16 Blodwyn joined the Senior Cambrian choir. Here she went on to perform in Eisteddfods, ABC broadcasts, formal concerts and musicals.
Blodwyn married John Whitehead in the Congregational Church in Ipswich on 29 October, 1955. It was here in this Church where she started a Sunday School choir which she entered in the Ipswich Junior Eisteddfod. Encouraged by her singing teacher she began conducting the Ipswich Central School choir and from there other schools. Under the guidance of her conductors and music teachers, Blodwyn’s musical vocation flourished. Her supporting role in the Cambrian Choir grew. She was instrumental in reforming the Junior Cambrian Choir and conducted for over 25 years. At one stage whilst singing in the Blackstone – Ipswich Cambrian Choir, Blodwyn conducted the Junior Cambrian Choir, the Cambrian Youth Choir and the senior Cambrian Choir as well.
Amongst all this Blodwyn and John had their family with their children also becoming members of the Cambrian Choir. Blodwyn Whitehead became a mentor and inspiration to others involved in the musical community of Ipswich. On 26 January, 1988, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her service to music.
(Information taken from Blackstone-Ipswich Cambrian Choir, an oral history with Blodwyn Whitehead and Gwalia Walker, Ipswich, 1995 – Picture Ipswich; Australian Government – It’s an Honour – Australia celebrating Australians website; Queensland Times “WHITEHEAD OAM, Blodwyn Gwladys” 23/12-2015)