Sisters Kath Hogan and Gabrielle Dempster have been in the Concert Party since it began 20 years ago.
The sisters attend the Ipswich 60 and Better Program Concert Party twice a week, once to perform and once to practice and catch up for afternoon tea.
Mrs Hogan and Mrs Dempster have been in the Concert Party since its inception 20 years ago.
“The group was started for people to come and enjoy singing,” Mrs Dempster said.
“We sing together on Fridays and have afternoon tea, then each Wednesday we visit a different nursing home to perform.”
Mrs Dempster, 80, is the conductor and her 86-year-old sister is the pianist. They have been immersed in music their whole lives.
“When we were girls our mother played the piano and our father sang,” Mrs Dempster said.
“We used to sing around the piano on a Sunday night as a family. Sometimes we had friends over.
“That‘s the way it was then, no TV.”
Mrs Hogan said she loved singing songs that she remembered from her childhood.
“Music doesn’t change, it’s ongoing for ever, no matter what else changes over time,” she said.
Community Development committee chair Councillor Kylie Stoneman said the Concert Party was a great way to improve your overall health.
“It’s great to see these seniors giving back to the community,” Cr Stoneman said.
“Their love of performing not only keeps them active, but brings joy to those who hear their music.
“It’s therapeutic, music is therapeutic. Plus coming along gets you out of the house.
“I always feel better coming home than I did going out. The music does lift you.”
Performing for other elderly gives the group as much of a lift as it does the people they are singing to.
“We sing songs that they will remember. It does us all good to keep music in your life, I love seeing the oldies enjoying it.” Mrs Hogan said.
“We were at Colthup, a high care nursing home, and I wondered if we were getting through because they look like they are all asleep, but then I saw a toe moving under the sheet, keeping time.
“I thought ‘ah – that’s what we are doing here’, you just don’t know what is getting through to them, but by that toe moving we knew we were getting through to her.”
Ipswich 60 and Better Program
The program is run by older people for older people.
60 and Better is a healthy ageing program based on a philosophy of community development, which includes the principles of access, equity, rights and participation. It encourages community ownership of the program, with priorities for action determined by the program’s participants.
The program gives older people choices and opportunities to work together to improve their own health and the health of others.
People 50 years of age and older are invited to become members of the program. Anyone can participate in the 60 and Better activities however, people involved in the program are encouraged to become members. Membership is $15 (including GST) and entitles the person to vote on organisational matters.
See their timetable here.
