DRIVING through the sleepy, yet beautiful village of Tumbulgum is quite an experience.

With a life-sized replica of Ned Kelly peering down from one upstairs veranda, you may still be checking your vision when you come across the uplifting sound of multiple ukuleles emanating from the village hall.

Pop your head in the door and you might even get to hear the "wandering minstrels" sing a ditty or two.

"Ukulele playing has taken off around the world," said ukulele teacher Wendy Grace.

"For me, the fascination began about four years ago when I went to the 'Uki-lele' Festival at Uki.

"I heard a world-class ukulele player and was so stunned by his work that I had to buy one.

"It sat in my living room for a while, then I decided to drag it out and start a group of ukulele players."

Ms Grace says the attraction for the instrument is due to its accessibility.

"Ukuleles are portable, easy to store and with just four strings and many tunes requiring just three chords, it's easy for people to learn.

"It also has an uplifting sound and an association with happiness.

"It makes you think of Hawaii, holidays and colour."

The group has six members from all walks of life and all sides of the political fence.

"It's a great medium for peace and harmony between people."

Ms Grace has written her own ukulele tune, with Cabarita's Nette Hilton writing the words to the work they performed at the last Ukitopia Festival.

"Tumblegum Side of the Street is a happy song and we performed with a backing group playing ukuleles."

Ukuleles are commonly associated with music from Hawaii the name means "the gift that came here", from the Hawaiian words uku (gift or reward) and lele (to come).

Developed in the 1880s, the ukulele is based on two small guitar-like instruments of Portuguese origin, introduced to the Hawaiian Islands by Portugese immigrants from Madeira and Cape Verde.