The Village Players; Bringing Joy to People Through Music in Retirement

Carmel Briggs, resident of Peninsula Retirement Living in Largs Bay, SA recently sent us an update about the activities of The Village Players, a band that is bringing joy to people living with a disability.

Carmel writes: My husband Peter and I have resided at The Peninsula, Largs Bay for almost 10 years.

During that time we have formed a band of ukulele, bass and guitar players and singers who regularly rehearse in our Community Cottage.

From our original larger group, we now have a core group of five very dedicated members calling ourselves The Village Players.

We have performed for aged care residents at The Philip Kennedy Centre and The Pines Lodge at Marion, and all of our members are registered volunteers with Minda, an organisation that supports people living with an intellectual disability.

Last year we became the resident band at Minda, Brighton so we have the privilege of entertaining clients on a monthly basis. 

At Christmas last year we played on a big stage for the first time which was quite overwhelming as other bands included the Army and Police bands, along with the Brighton Secondary School orchestra.

This year began with an open air concert for Minda clients and carers in February, then when the weather got cooler we performed in the INC Cafe which is open to both residents at Minda and the public, most of whom live in the Dunes complex nearby.

During Volunteer Week in May, the Village Players were given a special award by Minda Chief Executive David Panter and a very generous gift basket followed by a wonderful night spent mingling with the staff and other volunteers.

We are certainly not professional musicians or singers, but our music is full of fun, and includes tunes from the fifties and sixties that gets everyone singing, clapping and dancing.

By the end of our gigs we're happily exhausted and uplifted, knowing our friends at Minda have had fun and appreciated our songs.