Stage three students from Lithgow Public School and residents of Lithgow Aged Care came together on Wednesday, August 16, for a celebration of the young at heart.
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The group put on a music concert sharing some of the things the students have learnt about their buddies and visa versa during weekly visits to Cooinda and Tanderra aged care homes.
The inter-generational choir sang wartime favorites like ‘Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag’, children’s songs ‘You are my sunshine’ and ‘how much is that doggy in the window’ and even Ed Sheeran’s ‘Thinking Out Loud’.
Drawing on the residents’ time dancing at Lithgow’s Rec Club to Elvis, music co-ordinator Andy Macdonald encouraged the children, audience and elders to enjoy a couple dance.
Year six and year five students have been taking turns to visit their buddies at the Lithgow aged care homes on Wednesday mornings. Andy ‘Maestro’ Macdonald has been facilitating group story sharing and singing between the residents and students.
“We share stories about all sorts of things, lives, jobs and anything people have done,” Mr Macdonald said.
“When the children are about the average age of the elders it will probably be about 2080, there is that space of life difference. But everyone on the stage has a youngness of heart. I think everyone will agree there’s a 12 year old kid just in here,” Mr Macdonald said pointing at his heart.
Student Jarred Grose said he really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know some of Lithgow’s elders.
“I really liked singing with my buddy and I hope next year we get to continue to laugh and bond with them,” Jarred said.
"It was the best experience I have had in a long, long time.”