Music has the power to connect people of all backgrounds and generations and AnglicareSA home care customer Ric is keen to get the band back together.
Ric is a regular at several social groups run by AnglicareSA, however the absence of a music group is off key for the passionate musician and karaoke enthusiast so he’s now working with Social Activities team in putting the call out for others to join him.
“When you think about the number of AnglicareSA customers across home care, aged care, and other programs and how many of them are old musicians,” Ric said.
“How many of them played in bands or orchestras and have instruments in the cupboard just collecting dust.
“I want to get them together, get their gear out of the cupboards and join a big band – there would be singers out there too.”
Growing up with a love of music, Ric got his start in the industry at the age of 15 doing sound and lighting at the former Palais Royale on North Terrace.
A move to Sydney saw him immersed in the booming music scene travelling with bands throughout the 1960s and ‘70s as a backing vocalist for the likes of Max Merritt and The Meteors, Dinah Lee, and Ricky May.
“Music brings people together and provides a sense of purpose,” he said. “It’s helped me beat cancer twice – it’s just always been a part of my life and still is.”
Social Activities Coordinator Tash Burczyk said the benefits of social groups went far beyond just remaining active as they also ensured AnglicareSA customers had opportunities to remain connected socially with significant friendships often formed via the groups.
The potential for a new music group, she said, would fill a growing gap in the social calendar.
“We had a choir before Covid that was around 30 strong,” she said. “During Covid it stopped, and a lot of members didn’t come back to the group – even a singing group that replaced it has seen numbers dwindling.
“With Ric coming along with his new ideas around turning it into a music group has just been fantastic.
“We’ve got fliers out now so we’re just waiting for feedback from other customers around who will be interested in that we can start to build that group again.”
Costs of social activities vary depending on your government funding package and the specific group activity, with co-contributions ranging from $1.50 through to $14.50 – still great value for a day out all expenses included.
For more information about how to get involved with the Social Activities please contact 8209 6626.