Musical memories expand to help elderly regional Queenslanders

A radio service broadcasting nostalgic musical memories for seniors has secured funding from the Palaszczuk Government to reach aged-care facilities across the state.

Seniors Minister Coralee O’Rourke said the $100,000 investment from the Arts Business Innovation Fund (ABIF) would see 4MBS Classic FM expand its pilot project Silver Memories to regional and remote aged-care residences.

“Silver Memories broadcasts popular music from past eras and features sing-along sessions, birthday calls, old radio serials and comedy,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

“Silver Memories even takes requests, providing a service with genuine community interaction that can make a world of difference to elderly people, who can sometimes experience isolation, and those with dementia who respond positively to hearing music from their past.

“4MBS has already had great success with their pilot project and the additional funding will expand Silver Memories to regional and remote aged-care facilities in Townsville, Bundaberg, Toowoomba and western Queensland.”

Minister O’Rourke said the ABIF mixed public and private investment for Queensland arts organisations with $500,000 from the Queensland Government matched by another $500,000 from the Tim Fairfax Family Foundation.

“Silver Memories is the second ABIF project to get the green light, following $7800 for Townsville’s Umbrella Studios to upgrade their website, creating an interactive hub for the region’s artists.”

Arts Queensland works with a consortium comprising Foresters Community Finance, Positive Solutions and QUT Creative Enterprise Australia to manage the fund.

Positive Solutions Director Cathy Hunt said the fund was a great opportunity for arts organisations.

“ABIF gives arts organisations the opportunity to invest in developing new income streams and enhance the resilience of their business models in order to deliver their creative work into the future,” Ms Hunt said.

ABIF is a combination of a zero interest loan and a grant. Successful applicants are required to contribute their own funding with repaid loans then re-invested in the ABIF funding pool.

The Tim Fairfax Family Foundation is supportive of developing sustainability in Queensland’s arts sector and their generous matched contribution will help extend the fund’s reach.

Media Contact: Minister O’Rourke’s office 3719 7184