A Unique Community Gathering
It’s mid-week and mid-morning at this Queensland RSL club — but it might as well be a Saturday night. The place is packed and rocking, with about 100 people, many with ukuleles in hand, singing as one. This vibrant scene is part of the Parkbench Ukulele Players, a group that has become a beacon of community spirit and musical joy.
Vanessa Schmidt, a member of the group, expressed her love for the connection they create. “I love the connection and I love that people come and watch us and they get a little piece of joy for the week — we all do.”
Origins of the Group
The group began 12 years ago in Tewantin on the Sunshine Coast, formed at a park. Lin Nolan, one of the founding members, shared the story. “Just a few of my friends wanted to learn the ukulele and we were all struggling a bit so we decided to go to the local park and meet once a week.” What started as a small gathering of five has grown into a group with 600 members.
Terry Nolan, Lin’s husband, noted the changes over the years. “We started off on paper with the songs and it got to the stage where I’d need a ream of paper every week,” he said. “I said, ‘No, that’s not going to happen, go and buy yourselves an iPad or a tablet and I’ll give you the music in a format you can put onto it.’ It just took off from there.”
Musical Diversity and Benefits
The club plays a wide range of genres, including rockabilly, country, bluegrass, and modern rock. Most of the songs have only three or four chords, making them easier to play. Ms Nolan emphasized the relaxed and fun environment. “It’s more about getting together, singing and enjoying music.”
A recent study by Monash University examined the impact of listening to and playing music by following more than 10,000 people aged over 70 across a 10-year period. The study found that those who frequently listened to music had decreased their risk of getting dementia by 39 per cent, compared to those who rarely did. Playing an instrument was associated with a 35 per cent reduction in risk.
Joanne Ryan, the senior author of the study, highlighted the importance of preventing or delaying dementia. “We can’t say that if somebody starts listening to music … that will actually stop them developing dementia,” she said. “But music is like a whole brain workout.”
Scientific Backing
Professor Ryan explained that music activates a whole range of regions in the brain. “We know from studies where they’ve taken images of somebody’s brain as they’re listening to music that a whole range of regions are activated.” She also mentioned the benefits of music in reducing stress and calming the mind. “It can help reduce things like depression as well. It can also slow your heart rate.”
“It has multiple benefits on different systems in our bodies, and we think that cumulative benefit is what’s helping reduce the risk of dementia.”
Personal Impact
This sentiment resonates with Lin Nolan, now aged 77, who said playing and listening to music helps keep her brain active. “You have to remember the songs and you have to try and remember the chords,” she said. “And just getting together, I think, is so important for mental health.”
Conclusion
The Parkbench Ukulele Players exemplify how music can bring people together, foster a sense of community, and provide significant cognitive and emotional benefits. Their journey from a small park gathering to a large and thriving group highlights the power of music in enhancing quality of life and promoting mental well-being.
