Warrnambool Ukulele Group (WUG) formed recently to celebrate the sounds of the small Hawaiian guitar and is gaining traction after a successful debut performance at Quarry Art Studio last month.

It developed after members Annie Carmichael and Kevin O’Toole spent three months is Tasmania earlier this year and joined the Hobart Ukulele Group.

“WUG has come together to promote all aspects and the playing of this very versatile instrument,” Ms Carmichael said.

“Our hopes for the group are to give people the opportunity to engage in music, to develop people’s understanding of instrumentation and to enjoy music as an enjoyable pastime.”

Ms Carmichael said member numbers had increased rapidly since the group’s first gathering in early June.

“We started off with about eight people,” she said.

“Now we have about 35 on our email list. In eight weeks it’s just grown.”

Ms Carmichael said the group would add to Warrnambool’s “already thriving music scene” and was preparing to perform with the Tin Shed Singers at a Movember fund-raiser.

She said the group encouraged participation and was made up of experienced and first-time players.

“The main objective is just to have a good time,” she said. “To bring people together with a bit of strumming, singing and hopefully a few chords being learnt along the way.”

Anyone interested in learning more about WUG can meet at the Royal Hotel at 6.30pm on Mondays.