Two former students returned to the city to say “thank you” to her.

Dubbo College graduates, Billie Palin and Nathan Bryon, were accompanied by pianist and musical director Di Pascoe at the St Andrew’s Chapel in Wingewarra Street.

Dawn Walsh came to Dubbo after almost 40 years as a cast member of Opera Australia.

“We were so incredibly lucky to have Dawn move to Dubbo when she did,” Mr Bryon said ahead of the concert.

“She is well known in Sydney as having a powerhouse voice and a personality to match.

“She often covered Dame Joan Sutherland and American soprano Leona Mitchell, and her photo is still up on the Opera Australia green room wall for her years of service to the company.”

Read more: Opera singer to perform at St Andrew’s

Mr Bryon is following in Ms Wash’s professional footsteps. He has been singing with Pacific Opera, the Apollo Opera Collective and Operantics while completing his degree at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music.

Ms Palin is studying for a Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre) at the Australian Institute of Music, as well as trying her hand at musical direction, acting and cabaret work in Sydney.

She credits Ms Walsh for her “solid vocal technique”.