A spellbinding evening of classical guitar filled the Birchip Uniting Church on Saturday night, as Chathura Silva returned to the town where his musical journey began, to perform an intimate concert for an appreciative audience.

The church proved to be an ideal setting for the concert; it was warm and cosy and the acoustics enhanced every delicate note and dramatic flourish.

Chathura’s repertoire ranged from traditional and baroque through to modern classical works, featuring pieces such as Romance (Traditional), Asturias (Albéniz), El Último Trémolo (Barrios), Tango en Skai (Dyens), Epitafios 3 (Theodorakis), Prelude 1007 (Bach), Clair de lune (Debussy), Koyunbaba (Domeniconi), and Sounds of Rain (Lovelady). Each piece was executed with technical brilliance and heartfelt expression, earning rapturous applause from the crowd.

Emceed by Robyn Ferrier, the evening was a celebration of both talent and gratitude. Chathura’s words of thanks were heartfelt and sincere as he reflected warmly on his early years in Birchip, where his love for music first took root, and acknowledged former teachers Anne McClelland, Robyn Ferrier and John Richmond, who helped bring the performance in Birchip to fruition.

John Richmond informed the audience of Chathura’s impressive medical career, which has taken him from early roles as a Microbiology Registrar to becoming a specialist in Tropical Infectious Diseases.

After studies at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine in the UK, Chathura returned to Australia to earn his Fellowship with the Australasian College of Tropical Medicine and later a Master of Medicine (Infectious Diseases and Immunology) from the University of Sydney. He now works as a panel physician, screening for infectious diseases such as tuberculosis.

Chathura shared how proud he felt to be back in Birchip reconnecting with people who had shaped his early years. He fondly recalled making music with childhood friends Brody Harrison and Cailan Welton, and while Brody couldn’t attend the concert, he encouraged his grandparents in Wycheproof to make the trip to hear Chath, which they thoroughly enjoyed.

Chath’s father, Ranjith accompanied him on the long drive from Dandenong, and he appreciated catching up with community members after the concert, including Paul and Amanda Lomax from Bendigo, who in a lovely full-circle moment, reminisced of when Ranjith’s wife Rahini had cared for their children when she was a child carer in Birchip in the early 2000s.

The evening was a beautiful convergence of music, memory and generosity. Chath and Ranjith’s homecoming not only showcased Chathura Silva’s remarkable talent, but also the family’s enduring connection to the Birchip community.

Proceeds from the ticket sales were donated to the Birchip P-12 School and acting principal Russell Christie thanked Chath, advising him that the money would be used in the Music Program at the Birchip P-12 School, which is facilitated by Bern Smith and Amelia Scholtz.

Supper was generously provided by Robyn Ferrier, Christine Richmond and Anne McClelland, offering the perfect close to a heartfelt night of music and reconnection.

This article appeared in The Buloke Times, 8 July 2025.
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