Boroondara Seniors Festival

(UPLIFTING MUSIC PLAYS)

FRANK WOODLEY: Hello everyone, and welcome. Welcome to the Boroondara Senior Festival 2020. I'm Frank Woodley and I am rapt to be your emcee today.

We'll launch the proceedings with a Welcome to Country. The City of Boroondara acknowledges the Traditional Owners as the original custodians of the land, including the Wurundjeri people in the northern part of our City and pay respects to Elders past and present, and Elders from other communities.

The purpose of this festival is to celebrate the wonderful seniors who live in Boroondara community. And there's one very special person Mim Egan. Mim's an extraordinary woman in many ways and on October 4th, celebrated her 106 birthday. Absolutely astounding. Happy birthday Mim.

So throughout the show we're going to enjoy some fantastic musical performances a highlight of which is Vika and Linda Bull. They're so good when they sing. I just get goose bumps. Those beautiful harmonies. You know after they sing the audience will always be crying out. More. More. You know when I sing afterwards the audience cry out. Less, less. Although on occasion they do call out more on. More on.

Yeah as well as the delightful musical performances. We're also going to be having a look at some of the many activities that are being offered in the Boroondara area for seniors. Boroondara has a dedicated section on its website that helps you to find activities to enjoy, services that support you and information on staying healthy and happy. It's called “Add life to your years” and it's got lots of great ideas. I'm 52 but there are so many fantastic classes and clubs and things I’m just going to do stuff anyway. I mean who's going to know. Well I suppose, everyone now that I have just said it. No that was all just a joke about me being 52 I'm really 55.

Before COVID, there were over 600 activities and events on the “Add life to your years” site. COVID knocked some of these off of course but there's still a whole lot of stuff for you to do and rest assured it's all COVID safe. So it's pretty amazing you can get online and experiment with doing things you've never had a chance to do before and you don't have to leave home to do it. You get to try stuff from neighbourhood houses U3As - that's the University of the Third Age - and heaps of other excellent places. I've been really impressed by how well everyone's been adapting to these very peculiar times but it's not always easy. I tried to run a class called Meditation for Anxious Minds on Zoom and it was quite a challenge.

(VIDEO PLAYS)
Meditation for anxious minds
Your host will soon bring you into the meeting
HOST (Frank Woodley)
- Hello everyone. Hello. Now who have we got in the session so far? We've got we've got one person. Frank. Hello Frank.
FRANK: Hi.
HOST:
- I'm not sure if we'll have any other participants today but we might as well start and they can just join when they arrive.
FRANK: Sounds good.
HOST:
- This is meditation for anxious mind. I will guide you peacefully through a meditation that will gently bring your body and mind to a state of inner silence. There is nothing so healing the power of silence.
FRANK: Yeah, it sounds good. I really need it.
HOST:
- Yes it's a stressful time. But after this class you will feel completely rejuvenated. (MEDITATIVE MUSIC PLAYS) OK. Everybody ready.
FRANK:
(LOOKING AROUND) Yep. Everybody's ready
HOST:
- Get into a comfortable sitting position with a straight back. Let your head feel like a balloon floating on top of your spine. Take a slow deep breath in.
FRANCIS:
(WAVES)
- Hi. Sorry I'm late.
HOST:
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
- Feel the healing power of inner silence.
FRANCIS:
- Oh. OK. I'm Francis.
FRANK:
(WAVES) Oh, hi Francis. I'm Frank.
HOST:
(BREATHING DEEPLY)
- Take a slow breath out.
FRANK: Our heads are floating like balloons.
FRANCIS:
- Cool.
HOST:
- Bring your awareness to the short pause where your inhalation stops.
FRANCIS:
- Helium balloons or regular air?
FRANK: Good point. Are the balloons helium or regular?
HOST:
- And then breathe out and let all the tension in you release.
FRANKY:
(WEARS A BERET)
- Is This Advanced French?
FRANK: Meditation for Anxious Minds.
FRANKY:
- I've been sent the wrong link, I think.
HOST:
- Then be aware of the short pause before you breath in again.
POOPOOHEAD:
(JOINS ZOOM MEETING WITHOUT VIDEO)
- Hello, Hello can you hear me?
FRANK: - Yes we can hear you.
POOPOOHEAD:
- Because I can hear you.
HOST:
(STILL BREATHING HEAVILY)
- Breathe in.
POOPOOHEAD:
- Sorry about the - sorry my screen thing says Poopoohead. My son was on here before and he must have changed my name on the...
FRANCIS:
- Cute little rascal. That's funny.
POOPOOHEAD:
- Hmm, he's 25.
HOST:
- Breathe out.
POOPOOHEAD:
- I don't know how to turn my video on.
FRANK: - Ah, there's an icon that looks like a camera down the bottom left.
POOPOOHEAD:
- Whereabouts?
FRANK: - The bottom left. The bottom left.
HOST:
- Breathe in.
POOPOOHEAD:
- Oh Yes I see. Here we go.
HOST:
- Breathe out. Let the chatter of the mind dissolve. And rest in sweet silence.
FRANKY:
- We can't hear Poopoohead.
HOST:
- With each breath, feel your body relaxing. We don't, you don't need to hear Poopoohead. Now on each breath I want you to repeat these words inside your mind. I'm dissolving into silence.
FRANCOIS:
(WEARING A VERY LARGE MOUSTACHE)
- Ah, is this the watercolour class?
FRANKY:
- Meditation for anxious Minds.
HOST:
- On the in breath, I’m dissolving into silence
FRANCOIS:
- Sorry. I'm sure this is the link I was sent. Ah. Ah. I'll go.
HOST:
(STILL BREATHING HEAVILY)
- And dissolving into silence.
FRANCOIS:
- Sorry, how do you leave? I don't know how to leave.
FRANCIS:
- You press the leave button.
FRANCOIS:
- Whereabouts is it?
FRANCIS:
(POINTING UP)
- Up the top.
FRANCOIS:
- Where? Oh I see. Here we go. I think this is right.
FRANCO:
- Sorry I'm late.
FRANK: - Our heads are balloons. It's unclear whether they're helium or regular air.
FRANCO:
- Really? This is the Cryptic Crossword Club, isn't it?
FRANCIS:
- Meditation for anxious Minds.
FRANCO:
- I'm sure this was the link I was sent. How do I leave?
FRANK:
(POINTING UP) - It's the button up the top.
FRANCO:
- Meditation? That sounds relaxing. I do Qigong.
FRANCIS:
- I've heard that's wonderful.
FRANCO:
- Yeah it's great. I love it. Not only is Qi the life force of all things but it's also a great word to have up your sleeve when you're playing Scrabble. Q, I, no U required, 10 points. Woo-hoo.
FRANK: - You know what I think of meditation?
FRANCIS:
- What?
FRANK: - It's better than sitting around doing nothing. (LAUGHS) Get it?
FRANCISCO:
(STRUMS A UKULELE)
- What have I missed? This is the ukulele class, isn't it?
FRANCIS:
- Meditation for anxious-
FRANK:
(OTHERS ARE DISAPPEARING OFF THE SCREEN) - We've lost Francis and the uke guy. Poopoohead. What's happening? Oh my God, it's you. You're rejecting us. What are you doing? We just want to medi-
HOST:
(ALONE ON SCREEN AND BREATHING IN AND OUT)
- Breathe in. I'm dissolving into silence. Out. I'm dissolving into silence. You're doing wonderful, everybody. Just let all the stress melt away. Breathe in. Breathe out.
(VIDEO STOPS)

FRANK WOODLEY: And now we're in for a real treat. Please enjoy the romantic jazz and exuberant frantic Gypsy jive, that is the wonderful Continental Drift.

(MUSIC PLAYS)
Of all the boys I've known and I've known some Until I first met you I was lonesome And when you came in sight, dear, my heart grew light And this old world seemed new to me You're really swell, I have to admit you Deserve expressions that really fit you So I racked my brain trying to explain All the things that you do to me Bei mir bist du schon, please let me explain Bei mir bist du schon means that you're grand. Bei mir bist du schon, again I'll explain. It means you're the fairest in the land. I could say bella, bella even sehr wunderbar. Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are. I've tried to explain, bei mir bist du schon. So kiss me and say you understand.(MUSIC PLAYING)
Bei mir bist du schon You've heard it all before but let me try to explain Bei mir bist du schon means that you're grand. Bei mir bist du schon, It's such an old refrain and yet I should explain It means I am begging for your hand I could say bella, bella even sehr wunderbar Each language only helps me tell you how grand you are I've tried to explain, bei mir bist du schon So kiss me and say you'll understand Come on kiss me and say you'll understand Honey, I'm begging Kiss me and say that you will understand.
(MUSIC ENDS)

JEN: Continental Drift want to take you on a journey now. So let's pack our overnight bags. Terry have you got your toothbrush?
TERRY: Check.
JEN: Have you got your onesies?
TERRY: Check.
JEN: Let's grab our passports and travel back in time. We're going back to the 1950s. We're on the French Riviera. Picture this. We're in a beautiful riverside cafe, cobblestones red and white checked tablecloths, little candles in the jar, your favourite glass of French wine or champagne or maybe in a lovely cafe latte and a little pastry, and some wandering musicians come by your table. That's us.
TERRY: Oh yeah, that's us.
JEN: And we're going to serenade you with a beautiful timeless song. What have you got ready for us, Terry?
TERRY: OK. This one comes from the Prince of Clowns, Charlie Chaplin. Enjoy.

(MUSIC PLAYS)
Smile though your heart is aching Smile, even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky you'll get by If you smile through your tears and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You'll see the sun comes shining through for you Light up your face with gladness Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near That's the time you must keep on trying Smile, what's the use of crying You'll find that life is still worthwhile If you just smile

(MUSIC PLAYS) (VIOLIN PLAYS)
Smile, though your heart is aching Smile, even though it's breaking When there are clouds in the sky you'll get by If you smile through your fear and sorrow Smile and maybe tomorrow You'll see the sun come shining through for you Light up your face with gladness Hide every trace of sadness Although a tear may be ever so near That's the time you must keep on trying
Smile, what's the use of crying You'll find that life is still worthwhile If you just smile.

(MUSIC PLAYS)
Oh! The seniors are dancing tonight!
(MUSIC STOPS)

FRANK WOODLEY: How good was that? I love that. That's just so impossible not to feel, you know, happy and tap your toes listening to that. Jen and Terry's pup seemed quite blissed out, lying on the back of the couch there as well. So, thank you to Jen, Terry, Sarah and Silas for that for that amazing and joyful music. Continental Drift. Brilliant.

And now, it's an honour for me to introduce some legends of Australian music. Last year, they were inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame. Their soulful harmonies never fail to move me and their generosity of spirit always shines brightly when they sing so, let's enjoy Vika and Linda Bull.

VIKA: Hi, it's Vika here. And Linda and I are thrilled to be a part of this year's Boroondara Seniors Festival.

I'm so happy you asked us to be a part of it because the City of Boroondara holds a very special place in our hearts. We were... We grew up - we spent all of our high school years in the area. We have a lot of fond memories - swimming at the Balwyn pool, catching the tram to school every day down Whitehorse Road and we jump off the Burke Road and catch the next tram to school. It was so much fun. We met lots of great friends in the area too. So, we just want to say thank you very much and thank you for having us. And we hope you enjoy the few songs that we have today and a few little short stories. Thank you.

LINDA: Hi, everybody. It's Linda here. How are you? I'm hoping you're very well and staying safe and staying healthy. And by now, you would have met my beautiful sister, Vika. We're very chuffed to bring you some music straight from our lounge room to yours. Maybe you're on the couch, maybe you're on the porch, maybe with a cup of tea or something stronger. But anyway, it's great to be here and we'd like to do three songs today.

The first one being a song that we wrote for our grandfather. But if it's OK, I'd like to give you a little bit of a back story about this song. Many years ago, our grandfather who was Tongan, came out from Tonga to meet Vika and I, who're being brought up in the suburb of Doncaster. He thought it would be a good idea to dress up in traditional Tongan clothing. So, he rocked up to the school gate and there he was waiting for Vika to come out at the end of the day. Unfortunately for him, Vika walked right past him. She didn't like the fact that he turned up in his traditional clothes to pick her up from school. So, it didn't bode well for either of them unfortunately. Many years later, we were trying to find something to write for our first album. We thought we'd write a song and dedicate it to him as an apology. So, it's for all the grandparents out there and it's for our grandfather. It's called 'Grandpa's Song'. We hope you really like it.

(MUSIC PLAYS)
You were standing there Years ago Waiting so patiently To take me home# And as you held out your hand I'll never forget I walked right by you This day I regret I had fire in my heart And you knew it I was like you So much like you As I marched along Five paces ahead You had a smile for me I still can't forget Still I wanted to walk On my own You were there to protect me On my way home Time has gone And it's taken you with it I miss you so This much I know Now I look Now I look back on all that I've done. I hope you've forgiven me, see, I was so young. I have grown, I now walk alone. I feel you beside me still guiding me home. 'Cause I had fire in my heart and you knew it. I was like you, I was so much like you. Time has gone and it’s taken you with it. I miss you so, this much I know. Yes, I miss you so, this much I know.

VIKA: This next song we'd like to sing for you was first recorded by Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Now, she's one of our favourite singers, favourite musicians. She recorded this song in 1944 and she influenced a lot of people, people like Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Little Richard all our favourite rock 'n roll stars because she was a great guitar player. She was fantastic and she had a very powerful voice. And when Linda and I started singing we looked to her for inspiration because we loved gospel music and she was one of the first true gospel stars. So, please enjoy, Strange Things Happening Every Day.

Oh we hear church people say. They are in this holy way. There are strange things happening everyday. Oh that last great Judgement day. When they drive them all away. There are strange things happening everyday. Everyday, everyday Everyday, everyday There are strange things happening everyday. Everyday, everyday Everyday, everyday There are strange things happening everyday. If you want to view the climb. You must learn to quit your lyin’. There are strange things happening everyday. If you hew right to the line. You can live right all the time. There are strange things happening everyday. Jesus is the holy life. Turning darkness into light. There are strange things happening everyday. Well he gave the blind man sight. And he praised him with all his might. There are strange things happening everyday. Everyday, everyday Everyday, everyday There are strange things happening everyday. Everyday. Everyday, everyday There are strange things happening everyday.

LINDA: The next song we'd like to sing for you is one of the world's most sung hymns. It's one of our favourites. Vika and I like to sing this song a cappella. We treat it as a pray or a hymn and we'd love you to hear it. It's called Amazing Grace.

Amazing grace how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear. And grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear. The hour I first believed. Through many dangers, toils and snares.
I have already come. 'Tis grace that brought me safe thus far. And grace will lead me home. Amazing grace how sweet the sound. That saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see. Was blind but now I see.

Thank you so much for having us at this year's Boroondara Seniors Festival. Linda and I were absolutely thrilled that we could be a part of it. Yes and we're absolutely thrilled that we can connect in this way. We know it's new, but we're thrilled that we can all embrace technology and reach out in this way to one another at least. We know it's a whole new thing, it's been difficult for everyone we know. Our mother has just learned how to turn on a computer and actually work one. She's 86 years old and we're absolutely over the moon. So, lockdown, something good has come out of it. So, thank you very much everyone for tuning in. Have a beautiful Christmas. Hopefully you can be with your loved ones where you can give each other a hug. Thank you for having us at the festival. Linda and I are sending you much love.
(BLOWS A KISS)

FRANK WOODLEY: Thanks Vika and Linda. That was absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for joining us as part of the Boroondara Seniors Festival. It's just been fantastic to have you. That was magnificent. I love that.

Quick quiz. What musical instrument has been the most purchased during lockdown? And the answer is of course the ukulele.
The ukulele. The ukulele is a great instrument. Lots of fun and we're very lucky now because we've got a great ukulele band who are gonna play for us. They formed at the Surry Hill neighbourhood centre hence their name, The Surrey Hill Neighbourhood Ukers, the SHNUkers. They've played in many different forms since 2016 when they formed and some of the members that you're going to listen to now are from that time and others are much newer to the ukulele. They've performed at festivals, aged care facilities and open days, all sorts of places. But this is their first experience of performing on video. Enjoy The SHNUkers.

(MUSIC PLAYS)
(PEOPLE PLAYING UKULELE ALONE AT HOME ON SCREEN TOGETHER)
I can see clearly now, the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone are the dark clouds that had me blind. It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day. It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day. I think I can make it now, the pain has gone. All of the bad feelings have disappeared.
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for. It's gonna be a bright bright sun-shining day Look all around, there's nothing but blue sky Look straight ahead, nothing but blue sky I can see clearly now, the rain has gone. I can see all obstacles in my way. Gone're the dark clouds that had me blind. It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day. It's gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day. Gonna be a bright, bright sun-shining day. Gonna be a bright, bright, bright sun-shining day.
(MUSIC STOPS)

Thank you to the SHNUkers. That was absolutely lovely. You all look so beautiful in your colourful shirts and your sweet voices, and gorgeous playing, it was so uplifting so thanks for that. I've heard that to create that wonderful video the SHNUkers actually experienced quite a few technical challenges that they had to overcome. And they rose to the occasion and it's a testament. It's a testament to their determination to keep learning, and to keep connected with each other, and to keep the music alive. So, thanks so much to the SHNUkers.

Now, it's time to say farewell. I really enjoyed being part of the Boroondara Festival. So, thanks for having me. Thanks again to all our amazing musical performers. Continental Drift, Vika and Linda Bull, and of course, the SHNUkers. We hope you all had a wonderful time with us. We know that sometimes things can be tough. So, remember to reach out when you need to and get involved as much as you can.

I'm gonna leave you now with a bunch of interviews from your community. I hope you enjoy hearing from them. All the best. Bye, bye.

SPEAKER: Have you discovered anything about yourself during this time?

TERESA: I discovered that I really need the social interaction. I'm a people person. You know, I miss the club. I miss my family. I miss our dinners together. Yes, I miss all of that.

SUZI: I've always maintained that our age has such a wealth of experience and knowledge, and it need to be tapped. And I'm glad I'm involved with U3A. I think it's my third year. And it's been absolutely, how would I say it... Very, very fulfilling and satisfying to be able to share. OK, just to share.

GWENDA: I like my own company very much. And I love being at home and just being around at home. It's been wonderful. So that's what I've learnt that I really can manage with my own company, and occasionally my husband's. (LAUGHS) And I'm also writing my own biography. So I've gotta get a move on 'cause I'm only up to the 1940s. Got a long way to go. (LAUGHS)

BERNARD: We have a coffee club with friends from U3A. So yeah. And I keep my mind moving. And I'm finding the more I talk to people the less I know. I find out I you know as much as I thought I did. (LAUGHS)

YEN: I am surprised how resilient we have become. Despite the deathly effect of the virus. I feel very blessed to be living in Australia. Where my family and I feel very protected and valued.

JOAN: Yes, I think I'd like to say, value every second that you have. Value every person that you have, whatever is happening around you.

SPEAKER: Have you been keeping in contact with family and friends during the COVID-19 restrictions?

GWENDA: I write to my two little granddaughters. They live in the country and they will reply. They usually write a letter in reply which I think is a great thing for kids.

BOB: We keep up with the grandkids. We've got a few different apps. There's an app where we can actually read to the kids and they can follow the book. Turn the pages as you turn the pages. And you play all sorts of games, Bingo, chess. You name it. There's a lot of good apps around for that. So, we give my daughter some time a couple of times a week. We spend a couple of hours with the kids.

BERNARD: My youngest girl comes every Monday. And I told her to stop because if she keeps doing what she's doing, I'll have to buy another refrigerator. I can't get all the food in. (LAUGHS)

PETER: Our five km radius, overlaps with my daughter's five km radius up in Preston. So, we meet in Ivanhoe, within the designated approved zone. Say we go for a walk at the local park there and catch up.

NOLA: I do cryptic crosswords every night, my son rings me. And we do a cryptic crossword together.

VIVIENNE: We kept in constant contact with telephone calls. But I miss them terribly. I miss the hugs. I mean, I think hugs are so important. And I think everyone is realising that. But my little dog Dixie, he's been the most hugged animal that anyone could imagine.

SPEAKER: What part is technology playing in your life now?

JOHN: I've engaged with online shopping to a great degree really, Ria. And I'm loving it, I might just stay with it.

GRAHAM: We've tried the online shopping. So, we're still waiting for some shoes that we've ordered about two weeks ago. Waiting for that to come. You kind of get, at that time, "Oh, look we're getting something delivered." That's unusual experience. So, that's been good, that's been fun.

VIVIENNE: We've all had to learn, we've all had to change. We've had to put away our fears of technology. So, I've was certainly into emails and things like that. But I wasn't into anything like Zoom. In fact I was terrified of it. We noticed when we put out rehearsals on Zoom. Although, we can't hear each other sing, which is quite funny because you can't hear yourself sing. So, doesn't matter if you can't sing at all. We've got people coming in and just joining us and singing which is fabulous for them.

FIONA: With my garden club colleagues, we've overcome that fear of using Zoom. And we're now getting a lot better at it. It still does things that throws spanner in the works and it bums us out. But we're getting there, we're figuring out how to work around it. And it's just been after so many months of having not seen these people, I suppose it's coming up to that six months now. It's just lovely to see their face, their smiling faces, and the joy that getting together even if it is online brings to us all. We go away feeling much, much better.

BOB: Those things what happens at the Bowls club. We will look after the people here. We've got a bridge club. It's 200 strong now. What happened this Corona, the COVID virus, they got online, they had competitions online between themselves.

SPEAKER: What have been some uplifting stories or silver linings through this time on lockdown?

YEN: One day, we very sad because we stay at home. We couldn't get out and we couldn't go to anybody. And I got the phone call. From one of my member, he's very young. He's about 55. He's not old like me and he said, Ms. Yen, could you please come to the corridor in front of your house? You will see something surprise." And I come there because I thought. So, he came to see me, I said, Oh, you're not allowed to come to see me. Why you here?" He said, "No. I left there. I'm already gone. And then I rang you." So, I opened the door and I saw the bag. A small bag with a little jar in there. Jam jar.

GWENDA: Our next door neighbours dropped a note in our letter box to say if we needed anything at any time to please just ring their mobile phone. And I did write them a 'thank you note' and said we were managing quite well.

BERNARD: I sit on the front veranda and mainly when people come past they always stop and say hello. They stand at the gate and talk to me. And it's such a pleasure 'cause round here the Greek people that live next door to me and the Chinese people that live on the other side, are so friendly and so nice. And the Italians that walk past talk to me, you know and we crack jokes.

JOAN: One of the things that I've noticed is that as I walk around the park, people are actually happy to say hello and stop and have a little conversation. Whereas in the past, they'd have just rushed past.

PETER: The fact that we haven't been seeing our grandchildren. We've kind of adopted a magpie family who comes to visit us on the back veranda.

FIONA: We've got to know our neighbours a lot better in this. We all live busy lives. We're not in the big street. We know everyone we have a Christmas party but we're all stuck at home. We're all doing the same things. Whereas before we just go in and out of my way. But we only really saw each other at the Christmas party. Whereas now, we're sharing vegetables, we're sharing seeds, we're sharing seedlings. My next door neighbours have put chickens in the chicken house down the bottom of the gardens. The most magnificent looking chicken house you've ever seen. That is bringing me such joy. So, I've had eggs come over the fence one way. And I send rhubarb-chard back over the other way. I give them weeds for the chickens. And I get chook manure coming back. I've sent some chillies up the road, to the guy who absolutely loves chillies cause I had an abundance of them. So, you know, the acts of kindness are spreading up and down the road which I think is wonderful.

(UPLIFTING MUSIC CONTINUES)

(MUSIC FADES TO STOP)