Uke Groups Support Dementia Research

TAKING UKULELE MUSIC INTO THE COMMUNITY and SUPPORTING DEMENTIA RESEARCH

BUMS aims to take ukulele music out into the community.  Donna Farrell began putting this into practise when working as an exercise instructor at Compton Gardens Retirement Village at Aspley.  With her husband, Derek, she leads a performing ukulele group there as well as other venues.  Their overall efforts have raised over $11,000 supporting Dementia Research.

Donna plays in a three-piece ukulele band, “Totally Insane Ukes”, with her husband Derek, and their good friend, Kevin Buckley. They specialise in performances for nursing and high care facilities around Brisbane. 

Upon discovering that Donna played ukulele, several of the Compton Gardens residents asked if she could teach them.  Although most had never played any instrument before, they took to it straight away, and CHUMS (Compton’s Happy Ukulele Musical Seniors) was formed. CHUMS have around 20 to 25 members at any given time. Within a year, they were performing paid concerts at the Village and starting to perform at other retirement venues. The band members all agreed that any money they received should be donated to Dementia Research.  Over the years, CHUMS have performed (and continue to perform) at many retirement venues and nursing homes around Brisbane.

Last, but by no means least, Donna formed a seniors' band at the Samford Grove Retirement Village called Samford Groovers in 2023. The 15 or so members have come along in leaps and bounds and have given several concerts at Samford Grove. They, too, have raised funds donated to Dementia Research