Sharing ukulele with the community
13th December 2025
By Donna Farrell
Donna and Derek Farrell are very active in promoting ukulele playing and entertaining the public. The last week is a good example.
For the last two years, they have supported the Samford Groovers, a group of ukulele players from Samford Grove Retirement Village. On Saturday 6 December, the group performed at the annual “Christmas on Main Street” event in Samford village. Lots of families came to listen and they had great feedback.
They also support a ukulele group at Burnie Brae, a community support hub at Chermside. Players meet at Burnie Brae every Tuesday at 1:30pm for a jam with the “Grey Book” and new members are always welcome. On Tuesday 9 December, the group entertained guests at the Burnie Brae Christmas Morning Tea.
Donna runs a beginner’s class for an hour before the BUMS Ferny Grove jam. She invited her class to take the stage and perform a set at the BUMS Northside Christmas Spectacular at Ferny Grove on the 10 December. The songs were well received by the jammers.
It was back to Samford on 11 December. The Samford Groovers were back in action at a "Sing-a-long Concert and Afternoon Tea” at Samford Grove Retirement Village for residents and friends of the village. What a week.
All events went extremely well, enjoyed by players and audience alike. We had a number of enquiries by people keen to become ukulele players. After the Burnie Brae concert finished, one young lady drove immediately to Arties at the Hypermarket and purchased two ukes, one for herself and one for her Godmother!
There are more events before Christmas. The CHUMS, another ukulele group they support, will be playing at the Christmas Happy Hour at Compton Gardens Retirement Village in Aspley on 19 December.
All in all, a very busy time, but very rewarding couple of weeks.
And last, but by no means least, Derek and Donna want to thank the ever patient, calm and talented Kevin Buckley who played bass with them. Donna, Derek and Kev as "Totally Insane Ukes" also play many gigs at aged care and nursing care facilities.