The talented members of Villa Maria’s Mature Choices Program recently created their own music DVD, ‘It’s more than a dream’. They launched their musical accomplishment at a much anticipated ‘red carpet’ event cheered on by family and friends on 12 November at the Banyule Community Health Centre in West Heidelberg. Beth Magann, Community Options Coordinator for the Mature Choices Program, which offers support and assistance to families caring for a person with a disability over the age of 30, provides this report.

In February 2009, a group of us were fortunate enough to attend the VALID ‘Having a Say Conference’ in Geelong. We attended a presentation by the Kyeema Centre Inc., where we met a group of very inspiring music artists who go by the name ‘The Travoltas.’ They presented their music DVD, ‘Turn up Your Radio’, which became the motivation to produce a song. We were so impressed by the professionalism and passion shown by this group that upon our return, we sent a letter of expression inviting people we support to attend some music workshops during the month of June.

Using music as a tool to connect and communicate, the 18 individuals who chose to participate formed a group. They had the opportunity to reach out to the broader community and present a vision of their world. With assistance from Club Wild, one of Australia’s leading Arts organisations and the support of a Banyule Watsonia RSL Trust Grant, the group wrote, recorded and participated in the making of ‘It’s more than a dream.’

This art project has been successful on so many levels: with engagement and relationship building; reducing isolation; skill development; and increasing community understanding and appreciation of the artistic ability of people with a disability.

Our submission to present the music DVD at the ‘Having a Say Conference’ in Geelong in February 2010 has been successful and we hope it will inspire others to pursue their dreams too.

Paul Beams, one of the participants in the group, who also attended the 2009 VALID conference, said, “The best part about it all, was being able to get the project off the ground and it has paid off, we are the voice of the Villa Maria Community and I am proud of what we have done.”

‘It’s more than a dream’ will be available on Villa Maria’s Website, www.villamaria.com.au early next year.