Every Sunday morning, the terrace at Anglicare’s Donald Robinson Village in Sydney’s south becomes an unlikely concert venue.
Around 40 residents gather with coffee to sing along with the Toe Tappers, a five-member band formed by residents during COVID lockdowns.
What began as a way to keep the community connected has become a much-loved weekly tradition, with the group performing everything from songs of the 1930s and 1940s to Beatles classics.
For Toe Tappers member Kevin Carter, the group has become much more than entertainment.
“We play music on the Terrace outside our Village cafe, and between 40-50 people come along every Wednesday morning to sing along as we play. A great social event that we have been doing for six years.”
“As musicians, it is good for us mentally, as well, it gives us a constant thing to do and be involved in and to enjoy the participation of everyone, residents and staff.”
The group began when COVID restrictions meant residents could no longer gather for regular church services, birthday celebrations and other community events.
Initially, the musicians would walk around the village playing Happy Birthday to residents celebrating significant birthdays and anniversaries. They then began performing hymns and choruses from the terrace, allowing residents to listen from their balconies and join in.
The current line-up includes Kevin on ukulele, Julie Southwell on piano, Robert Browne on piano accordion, Brian Nicolson on vocals and Chris Denegris on percussion.
Their wives Brenda Carter, Dawn Browne and Carol Denegris have taken on the unofficial roles of “roadies”.
The band’s name also has a charming origin.
“Our name, ‘DRV Toe Tappers’ comes about because Dilys, Brian’s wife, observed the musicians tapping their feet in time to the beat of the music, so she said ”if we need to have a name it should be the ‘DRV Toe Tappers.’”
The music is carefully chosen for an audience whose average age is around 85, with many residents in their 90s. The group recently added a selection of Beatles songs to its repertoire, while old dance hits remain particularly popular.
Residents receive booklets with the lyrics so everyone can join in, with “Sweet Caroline” serving as the group’s traditional finale.
Carter also sees a deeper benefit in encouraging older people to sing.
“Music is the one thing that all people can truly enjoy. Even from a therapeutic view, singing is a wise thing to be encouraged, it gives joy to the heart and endorphins to the brain. “So Good! So Good!” Is the cry as we finish with Sweet Caroline.
The Toe Tappers have performed at Anglicare events and other retirement villages and will soon head to Dapto for a village fair on September 4.
For a group born out of isolation, their weekly performances have become a powerful reminder that retirement can be a time to find new passions, friendships and plenty of reasons to sing.
Images: Supplied/ Anglicare
