News Archive 2009

Song Competition winner announced

Melbourne-based singer-songwriter Megan Washington has been announced the winner of the inaugural Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition for her song, “How to Tame Lions”.

Born in Papua New Guinea, raised in Brisbane, the 23 year old artist has had an incredible year in music. In January Megan was “Unearthed” by triple J, in September she released her 2nd EP titled How to Tame Lions and after a performance on ABC TV’s ‘Spicks & Specks’, Megan held 3 of the Top 5 iTunes Album Chart positions.

Megan has toured with the likes of Camille, Tim Finn and Paul Kelly and has formerly sung backing vocals for Old Man River and Ben Lee, and has recently played shows Australian shows supporting Kate Miller Heidke and Sia.

Megan Washington will be taking home a sensational prize package including airfares, accommodation, cash, studio time, video production assistance, a classic guitar all worth over $50,000, plus performance and mentorship opportunities that money just can’t buy!

On receiving the career changing prize, Megan said: “The calibre of songwriters in this competition was outstanding to say the least, so I am truly humbled and grateful to have been given this award. I'm proud to be associated with an organisation that promotes music as a tool for healing and expression, and one that is so selfless and generous in its endeavours”.

The competition raised an astounding $130,000 for Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.

Songwriter, Nordoff-Robbins Board Member and competition judge Jenny Morris said: “The calibre of songs was high and that made it very exciting to judge. We are very pleased with the winning entry and also pleased that this song will in many ways be the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy song for the next year"

  Link:Click here for more information on the song competition

Nordoff-Robbins 2009 Appeal

Funds needed to get children into therapy

Dear Nordoff-Robbins Supporter,

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, which is based in Kingswood, needs to urgently raise $20,000 to increase the number of children we can care for in 2010.

Economy hurts children in need

Due to the current economic climate our key programs are experiencing a shortfall of $20,000 this year which will seriously impact our ability to provide much needed services in the local area. We need your help to change this!

The children who benefit most from our services are profoundly disabled or disadvantaged and come from low-income families who are struggling with the day to day costs of special needs associated with living with a disability.

How your donation will put a child’s life on the right path

A donation of $50 will cover the cost of one child for a week, the time needed to potentially put that child on the path to a happier, healthier and in some cases more self sufficient future.

A donation of $500 would enable that same child to attend music therapy for a term.

A donation of $2,400 will cover the cost of that child attending weekly for the full year.

No matter how much you are able to donate, every cent will count!

Why your donation is so important

Music therapy is an extremely powerful therapy for those children with profound disabilities or social disadvantage. Unfortunately it is often that those who usually benefit the most are those who can least afford the cost. Children respond naturally to music and music naturally opens up channels of communication. As well as working for developmental goals - mobility, coordination and speech, for example, music can provide children with colourful, dynamic and nurturing experiences that strengthen relationships and enhance communication. Nordoff-Robbins is committed to providing music therapy to any member of the community who will benefit, irrespective of their ability to pay. We therefore rely on the generosity of donations to fund our programs.

The gift that keeps on giving

As Christmas 2009 draws closer, we urge you to give a gift that keeps on giving. Instead of buying stocking stuffers this year, why not donate to the Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Appeal on behalf of your family and friends. Provide us with the relevant details and we will post a gift certificate thanking the recipient and acknowledging the kind donation that you made on their behalf.

Thank you for supporting Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy.

We are incredibly grateful for your support and would like to ask you to help us with this current initiative by sending in a gift of $50, $100, $200, $500 or $2,400.

Life is not easy for parents of special needs children. It is even more distressing for them if they know there is a clinical intervention that can help their child, but they do not have the financial capacity to help their special child.

We want to do everything we can to try to get these children into therapy. Your support in the past has contributed to our success and we now care for over 200 clients each week.

How to donate

Your donation of $50, $100, $200, $500 or $2,400 can be paid by cheque or credit card. Alternatively you can donate clicking on the orange “Donate Here” button located on the right of your screen.

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy is a registered charity (CFN 13789). All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible and a tax receipt will be issued.

On behalf of the children and parents at Nordoff-Robbins, I thank you for your support. Your donation WILL make a difference to these children.

Our sincere thanks

Robin Howat
Centre Manager & Senior Music Therapist

Iva Davies wins the Nordoff-Robbins/Golden Stave Award

One of the biggest fundraising events of the musical year is the Golden Stave Lunch which was attended by executives and staff of the major recording and publishing companies and associated service organisations to support children’s charities. Long-serving MC, Michael Chugg announced his retirement and immediately brought a bid of $5,000 to get him
back on stage for 5 minutes because they already missed him. Thank you to Michael Chugg and all involved in The Lunch for your support of Nordoff-Robbins.

A very important item of the afternoon’s agenda is the announcement of the annual Nordoff-Robbins community service award for ‘service to the
music industry and the community’. The winner in 2009 was Iva Davies who, as a Nordoff-Robbins Ambassador, has actively supported the
many fundraising events including his performances at Art of Music and quizmaster role at Trivia Nights.

We thank Iva Davies for his ongoing support of our work and congratulate him on a very well deserved award.

United Way Sydney project - another success

United Way Sydney have been a proud supporter and charity partner of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy for over 5 years now. Previous outreach projects funded by United Way Sydney include early intervention, children with disabilities, aged care programs and music therapy for 'at risk' children. In 2008 they generously funded an important early intervention program for vulnerable families.

The project used creative music therapy as a tool to strenthen the bond between disadvantaged mothers and their young children. It focused on the therapeutic use of music to facilitate and emphasise the mother's role in assisting their young children to reach their developmental milestones and their full potential.

Feedback from the participants and the evaluation methods used both show that the project has been a complete success so thank you to United Way Sydney for their support - it is very much appreciated.

United Way Sydney is one of over 3,300 United Way organisations around the world. United Way organisations are community based, and their work is carried out at community level. They are united by one essential, universal idea - that members of a community can come together voluntarily, pool their resources and knowledge, and work together to address their most compelling human needs.

United Way Sydney aims to improve the lives of those people in need in Sydney. They do this by investing donations and volunteer time into grassroots community projects.

Nordoff-Robbins is proud of their association with United Way Sydney and thank them for their continued support.

Vanda and Young Song Competition

Get reacquainted with your inner rockstar and reap the rewards! Open to aspiring and established songwriters, the Vanda & Young Songwriting Competition provides an outstanding opportunity for a talented songwriter to make their mark, and support Nordoff-Robbins at the same time.

Don’t miss the chance to have your songs heard and appraised by industry leaders, and be in the running for an amazing prize package – including airfares, accommodation, cash, mentorships, studio time, production team, guitar and much more!. The Vanda & Young competition is open to all songwriters – published and unpublished, professional and amateur, local and international – across all genres.

Named after iconic Australian songwriters, Harry Vanda and George Young; the competition is proudly presented by APRA|AMCOS in support of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia. Full proceeds of the AUD $50 /USD $40 per song entry fee will go directly into our music therapy programs.

Enter today!

Entries are now open until Wednesday 30 September 2009. Winner will be announced Monday 30 November 2009.

  Link:Click here for more information or to enter

Canon - get Creative For a Cause

Canon’s Creative for a Cause is a national campaign encouraging Australian’s to get creative for the causes they are passionate about to win a cause of their choice $60,000.

This year Nordoff-Robbins is entering a snap shot of music therapy in action into the competition – but we need your votes to win! There is a lot $60,000 could do to help us continue helping those in need – assisting with running music therapy programs and purchasing much needed instruments.

You can help by clicking on the below link and voting for this photo.

The winner will be announced on Thursday 6th of August 2009 – let’s keep our fingers crossed for music therapy!

  Link:Click here to vote

Vibe Hotels support charity once again

A huge thank you goes out to Vibe Hotels for their ongoing support of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy. Vibe Hotels have once again generously donated accommodation which we truly appreciate. Whether it's sponsoring our events or providing prizes, they are always the first to put their hand up and help out.


It is through the support of organisations such as Vibe Hotels that we can continue our work of enriching the lives of those in need through music therapy. We certainly couldn't do it without them. So thank you.

A Vibe Hotel is an ideal accommodation choice…unique style, vibrant atmosphere, great value and award winning, warm and friendly hotel service for the savvy business or leisure traveller. For more information, click on the below link to go to their website.

  Link:Vibe Hotels website

The Shane Warne Foundation Supports Music Therapy Program

The Shane Warne Foundation has generously provided Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy with a grant of $9,110, which will provide music therapy to children with physical and intellectual disabilities. The project will use music therapy as a tool to meet the needs of children who are experiencing difficulties or who are under-achieving academically and/or socially.

The Shane Warne Foundation’s mission is to “raise funds to enrich the lives of seriously ill and underprivileged children in Australia, now and in the future”. Since their launch in 2004 they have distributed over 2.4 million to charities that work “hands on” with these brave children.

Nordoff-Robbins is extremely proud of our charity partnership with The Shane Warne Foundation and we look forward to working with them to help children via the power of music.

Call for volunteers

Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy would like your help !!

We desperately need assistance with administration tasks such as data entry and mailing out our newsletter.

If you are able to get to the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre in Kingswood and are keen to help then we would gladly welcome you to our team of volunteers.

Please contact Brenda if you are interested on 02 4736 0240 or by email musictherapy@uws.edu.au.

Thank you for your support, it is very much appreciated

New intake of Music Therapy Students take up the Challenge

The start of the 2009 academic year saw the intake of another talented group of local and international music students, all wanting to take on the challenge of becoming a music therapist.

On the 28th of December Denielle Walsh (pictured)was pondering what to do with the left over Christmas turkey bones. The decision to wrap them in a local Penrith newspaper to freeze them until garbage day was life changing.

As she picked up the paper she saw an advertisement for an open day at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre, on the campus of the University of Western Sydney, which featured a music therapist working with a special needs child.

A professional music teacher of 20 years, Denielle recognised immediately the solution to a long simmering need for her to “find something more”. On the 5th of January she contacted the Centre’s lecturing staff and arranged an audition. By the 27th she had been accepted into the two year Master of Creative Music Therapy course.

Denielle said: “I’ve never been a ‘method’ teacher, I’ve always tried to inspire my students by identifying what turns on their musical switch. The creativity and improvisation of the Nordoff-Robbins approach to music therapy [which is taught at UWS] is made for me. And, the Centre is only 11 minutes away from home – how good is that?

“There are endless possibilities as a music therapist to work within the school support system and in mental health. Connecting with others through music is a special thing but to use music therapeutically, to help those living with a disability to communicate and express themselves, will be truly wonderful. I’m so fired up,” she said.

Joining Denielle in the course in 2009 are talented musicians from a diverse range of backgrounds such as: Talitha Brown from Port Macquarie, Sarah Martin from Canada, and Esther Choi Jieun from Korea.


For further information on the UWS Masters of Creative Music or to donate to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, please contact the staff at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre on 02 4736 0240 or visit the website at www.nordoff-robbins.com.au

Music Therapy Brings Happiness to Local Seniors

Bringing a smile to the face of local senior Australians is amongst many benefits music therapy is providing to a group of older people attending regular sessions at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre in Kingswood.

“Music Therapy for the aged provides substantial benefits,” said Robin Howat, Registered Music Therapist & Centre Manager. Music therapy in aged care is about the therapeutic use of music to enhance the quality of life of older adults in the community.

“Seniors can benefit from music therapy regardless of musical skill or background. Music therapy addresses people’s physical, psychological, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social needs,” continued Robin.

“Music at the Centre gives me a reason for living,” says Leila, a client of Nordoff-Robins. “It gets me out of bed on Thursday’s.”

“We have five groups of seniors who attend the centre each Wednesday and Thursday, and have had many success stories where therapy has vastly enriched quality of life and emotional well being. Some of our current groups have been working with us for 3 years, and through ongoing fundraising we hope to be able to continue to provide this much needed local support,” said Robin.

“Music therapy sessions can take on many different formats, and are tailored to meet the specific needs of the clients. Music is chosen or improvised to reflect different people’s ethnic, social and religious backgrounds or preferences. Clients are encouraged to participate in the way in which they feel most comfortable – whether it be sharing a story, sharing a song, playing instruments together, reminiscing through music, or learning something new.

By enabling our clients to have as much input as possible, we find they get much more out of the sessions and the results are seen quite quickly.”

“With music you have to work hard – but I like working hard!” said Betty, another happy client of Nordoff-Robbins.

“Music crosses so many barriers, and is a wonderful way to express emotions and provide valuable social interactions, which sadly for so many reasons can be diminished with age. We hope to continue and grow this valuable service, so that we can continue to enrich the quality of life for local seniors,” Concluded Robin.

For further information on Music Therapy for seniors, or to donate to Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy, please contact the staff at the Golden Stave Music Therapy Centre on 02 4736 0240.

Laugh-Tacular

If laughter is the best medicine then Laugh-tacular should be Medicare rebateable!

Typical of the talents of Jenny Morris, Nicci Gow and the team of Nordoff-Robbins' Ambassadors and volunteers, Laugh-tacular was another of their brilliant ideas which brought together some of Australia's great talent to raise funds for the Centre and those in need.

Anthony Ackroyd had a small identity crisis as the night progressed and he couldn't quite work out whether he was the night's MC comedian or the Prime Minister of Australia. Tommy Dean, Gary Eck and Kitty Flanagan had everyone in stitches as they regaled the audience with their views of life covering everything from raising today's child to kangaroos, highways and trucks.

And Mark Gable and Melinda Schneider took the upbeat tone of the evening to a wonderful musical close.

The 160 people who attended the event were very appreciative of The Freeway Hotel, Artarmon's great venue, food and service.

As a night of laughter revitalised the lives of those in the audience, Jenny Morris explained the powerful efficacy of music therapy as it affects people with a disability and emotional problems: "The funds from Laugh-tacular will be used to put the light back in people's eyes. Music therapy changes lives."

Nearly $8,000 was raised from this wonderful event which will go towards vital music therapy programs at the Centre.

A special thanks to The Freeway Hotel for hosting the event and to Anthony Ackroyd, Gary Eck, Kitty Flanagan and Tommy Dean.

  Link:Click here to view photos of the event