Bobbie Kidd became a founding member of Melville’s CareSong, a singing group established for senior citizens in the community, but especially for people living with dementia and their carers, through her role on the Melville Cares Consumer Committee.
The group, established in 2025, is a partnership between the City of Melville, Melville Cares and Songfest Inc. It has grown rapidly to about 40 members who meet weekly at Blue Gum Community Centre in Brentwood, supported by a small, but growing team of dedicated volunteers.
Five years ago, Bobbie became a client of Melville Cares due to an unsuccessful operation and now has decreased mobility. She says while her walking frame limited her ability to take on some roles in her busy life, she is perfectly suited to CareSong, where she can “sing her socks off” and happily chat to all the clients.
A former music teacher, she is one of seven who play in the CareSong band, mastering ukulele, recorder and keyboard while also helping with some of the administrative tasks, like welcoming singers and their carers.
She also has a tonne of energy and a wicked sense of humour, injecting fun and some ‘silliness’ into the lives of those that attend.
The benefits of community singing music for people living with dementia are well documented. It allows them to socialise, communicate and express themselves. It builds self-confidence and enhances the quality of life for both the person living with dementia and their carer.
Bobbie explains she also gets a lot of satisfaction from it because she feels that all the volunteers are making a difference in the lives of people often going through some really tough times.
“It’s the joy I feel. I’ve made so many strong connections here. When people come in and I ask how their week has been, they may say, ‘oh it hasn’t been too good but thank God I’m here because I know I am going to have a great time’.
“And there’s Glenys who today said, ‘Oh, I just love singing here because my family won’t let me sing at home’. I asked why, and she said because she makes mistakes, but that doesn’t matter here – I make mistakes on the ukulele all the time. “
“Someone else told me they love coming here; ‘it’s even better than going shopping, she said’.
“That type of feedback makes it all worthwhile.”
Bobbie encourages anyone thinking about volunteering to take the step and give it a go.
“You’ll not only be helping others, you’ll be doing something good for yourself too.”
Learn more about CareSong here and more about other volunteering opportunities in the City of Melville here.