A group of men from Greater Geelong are helping spread the history of music by singing at nursing homes and retirement villages.
Members from Belmont Senior Citizens have been part of a men’s Golden Oldies singing group, which was founded close to 10 years ago, and sing at about 35 aged care facilities across Geelong.
“We sing a wide range of songs, from way back and right up to the 80s… and we get great satisfaction from just seeing people enjoy music they may not hear any other time,” manager Les Pomeroy said.
“The youngest of us is 73 and the oldest is an unbelievable 99 years old, and he’s quite exceptional… None of us are professionals, we’re just guys who like to sing and have sung all our lives.”
Mr Pomeroy said the group was important to the members as a means of socialisation and their audience, who may be listening to songs they may not have heard in a long time.
“We try to sing songs that people have been brought up with over their lifetime and that they can recognise and relate to,” he said.
“Some people we sing to are in a state of dementia and may not be showing an indication of recognition… but sooner or later their toes or fingers will start moving or they’ll be mouthing the words.
“You just never know what people register and you know what they hear, but music seems to be one of the last things that go from human memory or communication.”
The group is always looking for new members, and anyone interested can contact Mr Pomeroy at 0414-442 471.
