Sharing the spirit of Christmas

Photo: Phil Jackson.

Known for his raw energy and emotive performances, local musician Derek F.  Smith has created a following of fans across Australia. He has opened for the likes of Toni Childs and You Am I, as well as having shared the stage with performers such as Lee Kernaghan and James Blundell. However, his recent series of gigs saw him performing a completely different genre to a whole new audience. 

In December 2021, Derek shared the spirit of Christmas with elderly residents by hosting eight free concerts at aged care facilities across the Fraser Coast. Sharing traditional Christmas songs and music, the concerts encouraged involvement amongst the older, isolated and vulnerable members of our community. 

"These concerts have opened my eyes to the people in the community who are often forgotten or overlooked." 

The cheerful music and engagement had invaluable therapeutic and social benefits to many of the residents, some of whom don’t often leave their rooms. Facility managers, the audience and their families all agreed the joy the music brought to the residents was invaluable. A manager at one of the facilities added, “thank you for bringing real a smile to the faces of people who have been struggling the last few years."

Derek is now inspired to pursue more opportunities to share the arts with the elderly community. 

The concerts were made possible through the support of the Regional Arts Development Fund (RADF), a partnership between the Queensland Government and Fraser Coast Regional Council to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland. Find out more about RADF funding and apply yourself at www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/radf.