Anglicare Southern Queensland - Residents page

Betty Jean

Betty Jean, 76, affectionately known as BJ, is a much loved resident of Symes Grove, Taigum, in Brisbane. Betty Jean is always close to her laptop and heavily involved in all committees at the home. She also publishes the 12 page Newsletter and leads the Green Fingers Gardening group, as well as Cooking with Brenda and Adventures with Food (gourmet and multi-cultural).

The love of learning and sharing her knowledge with others attracted Betty Jean to teaching, where she dedicated 37 years. In the later years of her marriage to Ray, Betty Jean continued her passion to learn, completing a degree in journalism, history and anthropology and set up an office at home as a desktop publisher before retiring.

Music features in many of Betty Jean’s fond memories of her husband, Ray. In fact, music played a part in their courtship and Ray’s marriage proposal.

Bill

Fate is something that Bill believes in, after falling in love with Nancy when he was eighteen years old. It wasn’t the right time though, with Bill relocating from Ayr to Brisbane to work as an engineer with various establishments.

Both Bill and Nancy went on to marry other people, however Nancy was always in Bill’s heart. They reunited when Bill was 70 years old and married not long after. They enjoyed 24 years together.

Bill turned to music in his mid-sixties, and still recalls the song that was playing on his car radio as he travelled to visit Nancy in hospital. Playing music on his organ brings him relief, lifts his spirits and takes him to a place when Nancy was by his side.

Bill is 94 years old and you may hear him playing his organ as you walk past his room at E.M. Tooth.

Bob

Exploring and giving new things a go is in Bob’s DNA. He enjoyed his time as a mechanic and the opportunity to travel with work when he first left school. Bob also enjoyed sport in his younger years, including playing cricket and football.

He has fond memories of a cafe in Wollongong that played music that he could really relate to at the time, and still today. Each time he hears one of the songs it brings back the good times, dancing and fires by the beach with friends.

Bob is now 82 years old and still stays close to the beach, painting and doing woodwork at Kirami, Hervey Bay. He also enjoys feeding the native birds, gardening and exercising.

Doris

Doris, 93, believes that music makes the world go round. During the Second World War, Doris made uniform material in a factory and later married a country boy that she met at a dance. Her husband had a good tenor voice and he would serenade to Doris as they danced together.

Doris was born in Bundaberg and raised her three children in her home town with her her husband. She was living independently up until two years ago, and now resides at Meilene with her good friend Charlotte. She enjoys reading the daily newspaper, playing bingo, card games and taking walks in the rose garden. Doris also likes to catch up with her friends after dinner for a chat and a laugh.

Gavin

Music is in Gavin’s blood. He believes music has the power to bring people together and connect. Gavin is a born entertainer. He has fond memories sitting with his whole musical family, his parents playing the guitar and ukulele and the rest of his siblings singing along.

Growing up in New Zealand and owning his own designer steel making business, Gavin relocated to Brisbane after retiring. Music has been a constant in his life, opening up opportunities for performing at night clubs and in the arts, with Gavin performing as an actor and entertaining audiences with mime.

Gavin is a now a spritly 80 year old and still enjoys singing, dancing and playing the ukulele to entertain and bring joy to his fellow residents at St John’s Home for Men, where he has lived for the past four years. He is also an avid crossword and word search fan.

John

John, 71, grew up in Inala, Brisbane, and lived near an up and coming band, ‘Wickety Wak’. In his early years, John spent much of his spare time listening to the band practice in their garage. He then went on to have a successful career in sales when he finished school, working for a shutter and blind business.

The music of the 1960s keeps John young at heart. His favourite performers include Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, where he has fond memories of these unique music styles. Still inspired today, John performs 1960’s songs for small crowds including his friends and other residents at St Martin’s, Taigum, Brisbane. For John, seeing audiences happy while he sings is very important to him.

John is now known as the ‘new king in town’ after a recently performing as Elvis at St Martin’s. The performance was picked up by USA Today along with local coverage. This has been an uplifting experience for John and his fans.

Paul ‘Fluffy’

Paul’s been in the music industry for more than 50 years. Most people lovingly call him ‘Fluffy’, as he rocked a mop of blonde hair in his younger days. Through Fluffy’s drumming and writing music arrangements he’s had the privilege of working alongside greats such as John Farnham, Julie Anthony and international performers such as Chuck Berry, Tom Jones and Cilla Black. He’s also the mastermind behind the original theme music for the hit series Neighbours.

About 18 months ago, Paul was diagnosed with cancer and moved to Abri to get his health back on track. You can find Paul in his room playing his electric drums or tapping along to a beat in the courtyard or other common areas. He’s currently playing in the Gold Coast Big Band.

Peter and Barbara

Peter will tell you that he has lived a normal life. He has accomplished a lot in his 92 years. Born in England and joining the airforce in his mid teens, Peter met the love of his life, Barbara at a dance. It was music that brought them together and music that now reminds them of treasured memories as a young couple and family.

Peter and Barbara moved from England to Toowoomba in 1971, where Peter worked for BP Oil. They both enjoyed a round of golf and were members of the City Golf Club for many years.

Both Peter and Barbara now live at Symes Thorpe in Toowoomba. Their rooms are next to each other and they enjoy their days reading together. Peter is also keen on Rugby League and is part of the footy tipping competition.
Watch full episode