Bellbirds bring songs of the past to life for seniors
IT IS a musical trip down memory lane for Tweed age care residents when the Bellbirds Variety group arrive to perform.
Bellbirds Variety Inc is a group of Tweed retirees who perform songs from the 30's, 40's and 50's for age care residents, senior citizen clubs and legacy events.
Founding member Dawn Quinlan said they first started the group in 2000 for something to do.
"We had retired and had always been with groups, we loved performing and didn't want to give it away - wanted to keep going, wanted to do something," she said.
"I think we are appreciated by the people we entertain, especially age care places.
"I think they feel better and we do to."
The group's members believe music is therapeutic for elderly people, providing their services because they believe there is not a lot of entertainment in aged care homes.
John Denny has been with the group from the beginning, joining after he watched a live performance.
"I play the fool, I'm the MC and stage manager, I record all the music on CD and print the programs," he said.
"I think it is good therapy for older people, sometimes it's the only entertainment they get."
Over the last 12 years the Bellbirds have performed between three and four hundred shows in the Tweed area.
