Choir founder Rob Holland leaves final note at 73

Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir pioneer passes after three decades of music, community and queer visibility, «You can check out but you never leave».

The LGBTQIA+ community in Sydney has lost one of its most cherished pioneers after Rob Holland, the visionary founder of the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir, died on 18 September 2026.

Holland passed away at his home, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of music, community connection and queer visibility spanning more than three decades.

From Vancouver To Sydney

Holland’s journey began in 1990, following his participation in the choral program at the Gay Games in Vancouver, Canada.

Inspired by the experience of singing alongside hundreds of other voices, he returned to Sydney determined to create something similar for Australia’s LGBTQIA+ community. That ambition led him to write a letter to the Sydney Star Observer in October 1990 under the heading «A Gay Choir», calling on people interested in establishing a gay and lesbian choir to come together.

It was a simple invitation that would ultimately help establish one of Sydney’s most beloved LGBTQIA+ community organisations.

«Like Hotel California»

Despite not being able to read music himself, Holland embraced the challenge of establishing a choir that would become a cornerstone of Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ cultural landscape.

In a 2016 interview during the choir’s 25th anniversary, he reflected on the choir’s enduring sense of belonging:

«It’s like Hotel California, you’re always welcome and you can check out but you never leave».

His words proved prophetic, as generations of singers have continued returning to the fold. The choir remains an unauditioned group welcoming all members regardless of sexual identity or musical experience, says sglc.org.

Why The Choir Matters

Holland often spoke passionately about what the choir meant to the community:

«When we hear a song about heterosexual love we have to imagine they’re singing about our love, whereas with the choir we don’t have to do that», he explained.

He also recalled admiring the Sydney Gay Liberation Quire, an earlier group whose politically charged performances championed equality and liberation.

«I was a secret admirer from afar, from long before homosexuality was decriminalised… and I could see how wonderful the choir was for the community», he said.

Community Pays Tribute

Holland’s death was confirmed to Star Observer by Sydney Gay & Lesbian Choir president Neil Hendry, who paid tribute to Holland’s significant contribution to Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community.

«Rob was an active member and had been attending rehearsals in recent months», Hendry said. «He is greatly missed by the choir, his partner Don Baxter and his family».

Holland remained actively involved in the choir until shortly before his death starobserver.com.au writes.

A Growing Institution

Over the decades, the organisation has welcomed generations of singers, providing opportunities for artistic expression, friendship and community connection.

The choir has performed at community celebrations, LGBTQIA+ events and festivals across Australia and internationally, becoming a powerful symbol of visibility and inclusion for the community.

Today, approximately 100 members perform on stage at each of the choir’s recent concerts, according to Hendry. The choir describes itself as «the soundtrack to Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community for over 30 years».

His Legacy Lives On

In 2016, when the choir celebrated its 25th anniversary, it had already established itself as an institution welcoming singers from all backgrounds. By 2026, the organisation had grown into one of Australia’s most enduring LGBTQIA+ cultural institutions.

The choir’s Facebook page notes it has been «the soundtrack to Sydney’s LGBTQIA+ community for over 30 years» and describes itself as an «unaudited choir which welcomes all members» of the community (facebook.com/sglchoir).

Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG, speaking at the choir’s 20th anniversary in 2011, recalled how Holland had participated as «the sole Australian» in the great choir that sang at the Vancouver Gay Games in 1990, inspiring the Sydney initiative.

Homosexuality was decriminalised in New South Wales in 1984, six years before Holland’s vision took root. From that modest beginning, the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Choir has grown into one of Australia’s most enduring LGBTQIA+ cultural institutions – a testament to what happens when one person dares to imagine a community that doesn’t yet exist.