Home
  • Why Opal
    Our Purpose and Values About Us and Our Team Our Community Our Residents Our Social Impact
  • Care Communities
    Find a Care Community Life in our Care Communities Moving in
  • Residential aged care
    Understanding aged care Aged care services Questions and answers
  • Our stories
    News and Stories Opal Moments Magazine Cuppa Q&A's
  • Jobs
    Job Listing Why work with us Jobs in nursing Jobs in hospitality Overseas Nurses
  • Academy
    Grow your career
  • Contact us
    All enquiry types Feedback and complaints

A violin virtuoso for the ages

It’s a weekday morning at Applecross Shore Care Community. Graham is thrilled to have the orchestra members visit in person. With over 50 years’ experience as a professional musician, Graham knows what he’s listening to. In fact, he’s taught most of the players in the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) quartet. His eyes glisten with pride and pleasure. Some hours later Graham is still overcome with emotion.

“Oh, it was wonderful,” Graham says. “Two of the group were violinists and were my students. I almost had a tear in my eye listening to them. It was that good!”

Wellness and dexterity

A lifetime devoted to music

Graham’s love of music began as a young man. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Soon after, he joined the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra as a violinist.

I enjoy playing the violin and making music. Even if it’s music written for some other player or composer.

Graham later travelled to London to study with the great Frederick Grinke, a violinist world famous for his performances of 20th-century English music. Graham went onto play with different orchestras in London before marrying his beloved Patricia in 1957. After their return to Australia, Graham joined WASO as a soloist and stayed with them for 15 years.

An enthusiastic teacher

Graham’s passion for music inspired him to share it with others. In 1972, he began teaching at the School of Music at the University of WA and later founded the first West Australian Youth Orchestra. Among a list of achievements too extensive to include here, special mention should be made of his ‘Distinguished Service Award’ from the Australian Strings Association in 2003.

Regaining dexterity

When Graham moved in, our team at Applecross Shore Care Community recognised how much his passion for music brings meaning to his life. But with his dexterity diminishing, Graham was struggling with no longer being able to play the violin. Lifestyle Coordinator, Rebecca, encouraged him to engage with our team at Applecross Shore’s Wellness Centre.

“As people age, they often experience physical and emotional effects resulting from illness, injury or loss of ability,” says Rebecca.

“Our wellness centre supports reablement, rehabilitation and restoration by improving mobility and motor skills. Our goal is to improve quality of life, emotional and physical wellbeing, and promote independence.

“We’re encouraging Graham to try regular exercises to improve the dexterity in his hands. We’re hoping, in time, that he might be able to play a little again. He’s already improved enough to be able to hold his violin to his chin.”

As Graham works on lifting his bow once again, he takes comfort in listening to his beloved music. Be it teaching, lecturing, performing, composing or conducting, the violin will always be his life’s work.

Explore our wellness centres
Featured Care Community stories
Marsden park nursing home

Care Community stories

Marsden Park Care Community opening

Christmas has come early to the people of Marsden Park, with Marsden Park Care Community opening this week, bringing much-needed high quality residential aged care to Sydney’s…

20th November 2023 | 4 min read

Graham's wellness

Care Community stories

A lifetime devoted to music

It’s a weekday morning at Applecross Shore Care Community. Graham is thrilled to have the orchestra members visit in person. With over 50 years’ experience as a professional…

7th September 2023 | 4 min read

aged care epping

Care Community stories

Epping Meadows Wellness Centre is now open!

The highly anticipated Wellness Centre at Epping Meadows Care Community has officially opened its door providing physiotherapist-led rehabilitation and reablement services to…

7th August 2023 | 4 min read

murdoch rehabilitation

Care Community stories

Laurie's stepping up to achieve his goals

As we age, people often experience physical and emotional effects resulting from illness, injury or loss of ability. Reduced physical activity can result in a loss of bone density…

7th July 2023 | 1 min read

aged care geelong

Care Community stories

107 reasons why Jean's the Cats' biggest fan!

Footy scarf on. Banner raised high. Jean watches the Geelong Cats take a mark and kick the winning goal for the Australian Football League (AFL) Grand Final. Her beloved blue…

29th June 2023 | 4 mins

world environment day

Care Community stories

World environment day

World Environment day 2023 is an opportunity to take time to think about how people's actions on plastic pollution matters. The United Nations estimates that more than 400…

5th June 2023 | 4 mins

Career pathway

Care Community stories

Celebrating 10 years of career growth

When Opal HealthCare supported Vini to come to Australia and join our team as a registered nurse, it sparked an exciting career journey in which Vini continues to thrive.…

16th May 2023 | 4 mins

Supporting dementia care Dubbo

Care Community stories

Supporting dementia care

Clinicians, carers and health professionals from Dubbo and the Central West of NSW came together to learn more about dementia at an Opal HealthCare Dementia Care Connections…

5th May 2023 | 4 mins

social impact goals

Care Community stories

Setting social impact goals

Opal HealthCare is built on the belief that we can improve the lives of older Australians by providing high quality residential care- and in doing so, contribute to the…

10th March 2023 | 3 min read

Back to Care Community Stories
    • Find a Home
    • Book a Tour
    • Enquire
    • Apply
    • Feedback

Join the Conversation

  • facebook
  • instagram

Why Opal

  • About Us and Our Team
  • Our Purpose and Values
  • Our Community
  • Our Residents
  • Social Impact Report

Care Communities

  • Find a Care Community
  • Life in our Care Communities
  • Moving in

Residential aged care

  • Understanding aged care
  • Aged care services
  • Questions and answers

Our stories

  • News and Stories
  • Opal Moments Magazine
  • Cuppa Q&A's

Jobs

  • Job Listing
  • Why work with us
  • Jobs in nursing
  • Jobs in hospitality
  • Overseas Nurses

Contact Us

  • Enquiry form
Opal Logo
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Whistleblower Policy
  • Modern Slavery Statement
  • Anti-Slavery Policy
  • Sitemap
x

Translate Page

Please select a language

English

Filter by

All Results
All Results News & Events Pages Home

No search found