Entertainment

BEATING HEARTS OF LISMORE: CHANGING LIVES ONE SONG AT A TIME

Published

7 months ago

11 October 2023

Liam

Rachel Jones at beating hearts of lismore.

BEATING HEARTS OF LISMORE: CHANGING LIVES ONE SONG AT A TIME

Beating Hearts of Lismore, a community group founded in May this year to support social connection, mental wellbeing and cognition for older people, has been named winner of the September round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program.

A free weekly event held at Lismore Heights Sports, Recreation and Community Club, Beating Hearts of Lismore is an opportunity for the community to come together and enjoy the healing power of music.

The program aims to reach older people who may be experiencing social isolation, people with age-related conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and dementia, and their carers.

The group was founded by local geriatrician Rachel Jones, who recognised the need within Lismore to support older adults with complex health and social needs.

“We sing, we move, we have morning tea and it’s all free for the community,” said Rachel.

“We do what we call ‘chair dancing’ – for a song like ‘Home Among the Gumtrees’, people sit or stand up and perform the actions. These movements have a myriad of health benefits, including falls prevention by improving flexibility, strength and balance.

“The mental health benefits are every bit as prevalent and we’ve seen reduced rates of social isolation, increased connectedness, lower rates of depressed mood, and improved behaviours in regard to complex dementia.

“There are some amazing friendships forming – everyone knows everyone, so if someone doesn’t turn up, we ring them and do a welfare check.

“These are benefits that go beyond the program. If there was another flood, the people in the group would be among the most vulnerable and we would know to check in on them.”

Volunteers make the heart beat

Greater Northern Rivers Regional Sales Manager, Scott McCluskey, said Beating Hearts of Lismore is evidence of the strength of the community.

“Beating Hearts of Lismore hasn’t even been going for six months and already they have had a massive impact, thanks largely to the efforts of the volunteers who turn up every week,” Scott said.

“These people not only give their time, they also bring along delicious, home-cooked morning tea to ensure the members of the group get a great feed.

“Music, movement, mates and morning tea – they’re the basics of life but they make all the difference in the world.

“So to the volunteers who make this group possible, we say a big and heartfelt thank you!”

Rachel also gave a shout out to the group’s selfless volunteers.

“When we were starting out, I put up a post on Facebook to see if anyone wanted to volunteer. The response was overwhelming,” she said.

“We have such an amazing volunteer group, at least 15 people, who are kind, dedicated and talented. They know all the songs, from ‘Dancing Queen’ to ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’!”

Rachel Jones

A growing need in the Northern Rivers

Beating Hearts of Lismore is not the first of its kind in the region, the inspiration coming from a similar organisation in Grafton – to which Rachel has a particularly close connection.

“The ‘Forget Me Nots’ was formed by my mother and her friend in 2018,” Rachel said.

“Seeing how successful the Grafton group was, it was inspiring. In the wake of the floods and COVID-19 lockdowns, events which had a dramatic impact on our older community, it was obvious there was a need for a similar program here.

“There are dementia-specific choirs around Australia – ours is more of a singalong than a choir – and they are emerging because music therapy has huge benefits for older people.

“We can see there’s a growing need for this and ideally we will see similar groups start up in nearby towns.

“We have people travelling from Kyogle, Evans Head, Ballina, Casino – it would be great to have something closer to them to reduce the travel.”

“We’ve got Dad back”

While the Beating Hearts of Lismore runs on volunteers, Rachel said the $2,000 they have won by taking out the September round of Greater Bank’s #GreaterNorthernRivers Community Funding Program will go a long way.

“We want to thank Greater Bank for this funding, which really helps with the longevity of the program,” she said.

“We have costs – from basic administrative needs such as folders, stationery and nametags, through to ways we want to invest in the program to make it even more impactful, such as purchasing more microphones and more speakers.

“We’d also love to provide the occasional donation or contribution otherwise to the Lismore Heights Sports, Recreation and Community Club, who are so generous in not only giving us a safe space to hold our weekly get-togethers, they also provide tea and coffee, and even treats from time to time!”

The real value from the program, however, is the amazing way it is changing lives.
“We have feedback forms and one daughter wrote, ‘We’ve got Dad back’,” Rachel said. “It was so powerful and so motivating to read that.”

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Entertainment

Blues on Broadbeach

Published

1 day ago

15 May 2024

Liam

Blues on Broadbeach

Returning for its 23rd year, Blues on Broadbeach is set to transform the Gold Coast into a rhythm and blues haven from May 16-19, 2024!

The festival will feature over 65 international and local artists across 16 indoor and outdoor stages, promising an abundance of live rhythm & blues over the four-day event.

The festival program and app are now live, so you can start planning your experience today! A highlight of the festival will be US headliner Melissa Etheridge, who is set to deliver a rocking two-hour show on Saturday night.

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Other international stars making their way to the festival include Samantha Fish & Jesse Dayton, Ana Popovic, Eric Bibb, Hi Rhythm Section with Boo Mitchell, and Jon Cleary & The Absolute Monster Gentlemen, all renowned figures in the contemporary blues scene.

The festival will also showcase plenty of national and local talent, including festival favourite 8 Ball Aitken & Friends, who will host a special All-Star Blues Jam on Sunday, May 19. Gold Coast’s own Karl S. Williams will open for Melissa Etheridge on Saturday night.

A new addition this year is the Kurrawa Park Sunday Ticket, featuring New Zealand’s electronic-reggae-soul pioneers Fat Freddy’s Drop, alongside Tijuana Cartel and BOOMCHILD, who will perform exclusively at Kurrawa Park on Sunday, May 19.

With VIP tickets already sold out, be sure to secure your ticket soon to expand your Blues on Broadbeach experience! Beyond the six outdoor stages in the Broadbeach precinct, 10 Partnered Venues will also offer live music, allowing you to enjoy a meal or drink without missing any of the festival’s packed programming.

With so much happening from May 16-19, don’t miss out on your favourite acts! Download the Blues on Broadbeach 2024 festival app from the App Store or Google Play to create your personalised schedule.

EVENT DETAILS:

When: 16^th – 19^th of May
Where: Broadbeach
Tickets: Available here.

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Entertainment

ASH GRUNWALD AT THE REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH

Published

1 day ago

15 May 2024

Liam

ASH GRUNWALD AT THE REGENT CINEMA, MURWILLUMBAH

One of Australia’s leading blues musician, Ash Grunwald, has announced a nationwide tour to celebrate the release of his latest single, “Life Without You.”

This laid-back track, which explores the themes of enduring love and appreciation for one’s partner, is a collaboration with Garrett Kato, renowned for his work with Tones & I’s “Dance Monkey” and numerous releases by Ziggy Alberts. The song’s emotional depth is sure to resonate with listeners.

Ash Grunwald has long been an inspiration, encouraging a generation to embrace a nomadic lifestyle, “surfing by day and jamming by night”.

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His illustrious career has seen him share stages with legends like James Brown, The Black Keys, Jack Johnson, Xavier Rudd, and Keith Urban, among many others. He has captivated audiences at sold-out festivals across Europe, Japan, and North America.

Grunwald’s impressive discography includes six Australian Top-50 albums, and he has been recognised with numerous accolades: five ARIA and four AIR Award nominations, two APRA Awards, and the Best International Act at the LA Music Critic Awards.

Don’t miss the chance to see Australia’s most dynamic blues performer live at The Regent Cinema in Murwillumbah. This tour promises to be a memorable experience, showcasing Ash Grunwald’s exceptional talent and his latest musical endeavours.

Be sure to catch this tour and witness the captivating performances of an artist who has significantly shaped the Australian blues scene. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to his music, Ash Grunwald’s tour is an event not to be missed.

EVENT DETAILS:

When: Fri 24th May, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Where: The Regent Cinema, Murwillumbah
Price: $50+BF
Tickets: Available here.

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Entertainment

Great Board Games for Family Game Night!

Published

1 week ago

9 May 2024

Liam

Great Board Games for Family Game Night!

A classic game night is the epitome of a cosy evening spent indoors, filled with laughter and friendly competition. Whether you’re looking to refresh your game cupboard or considering board games as thoughtful gifts, exploring the right options can enhance these lively gatherings. From strategic board games that challenge the mind to light-hearted party games that bring out the laughs, there’s something for everyone. Let’s delve into a selection of excellent games that are perfect for family game night, ensuring hours of entertainment and cherished memories with loved ones.

The game of life

College, marriage, kids, insurance! What a way to learn about being an adult while adding fun to the mix! In the Game of Life, each player navigates through various life stages using a plastic car on the game board, from choosing a college to settling into retirement.

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The goal of the game is to traverse life by making wise decisions, aiming to retire first and with the most wealth. It’s an excellent game for teaching children about life’s lessons in a fun and accessible manner. Playing this game as a family not only promises enjoyable moments but also ignites meaningful conversations.

Product Details:

Number of Players: Two to four
Recommended Age: 8 and up
Playing Time: 30 to 60 minutes

Monopoly

The first official Monopoly game was released in 1935, and it has been cultivating real estate moguls ever since. This board game involves both risk and chance as players purchase and trade properties while trying to avoid jail.

Players can buy properties if they have the necessary funds and can generate income by charging rent to other players who land on their properties. The objective of the game is to bankrupt your opponents, which can be a lengthy process. The strategy is to acquire enough properties in the same area to create a monopoly, making it difficult for other players to afford rent, ultimately leading to their bankruptcy.

Product Details:

Number of Players: Two to six
Recommended Age: 8 and up
Playing Time: One to two hours

Cards Against Humanity

When playing Cards Against Humanity, forget about maintaining decorum. The game features black cards with open-ended prompts and white cards filled with a mix of humorous, risqué, and bizarre phrases.

In each round, a player takes on the role of the judge and selects a black card to present to the group. The other players then choose one of their white cards that best complements the prompt and hand it to the judge. The judge mixes these submissions and reads them aloud, ultimately picking a favourite based on their appeal.

This game is strictly for adults, designed to provoke laughter. You can enjoy it just for the fun or keep score with points for each round’s winning card to find out who excels at pushing boundaries.

Product Details:

Number of Players: Four to 20
Recommended Age: 18 and up
Playing Time: 30 to 90 minutes

UNO

To play this engaging family game, all you need is an Uno card deck. It doesn’t require any additional pieces like marbles or spinners, making it easy to clean up and perfect for travel.

The Uno deck consists of 108 cards, with 25 cards in each of four colours and eight special action cards, such as Skip and Reverse. Players match cards from their hands to the card in the centre of the game by colour or number. They draw new cards from the deck until none remain. When a player is down to one card, they shout “Uno!”—a highlight of the game. Winning also traditionally involves a celebratory dance, adding to the fun.

Product Details: