Mornington Salvos get into the groove with disco for NDIS participants
It’s an exciting Tuesday morning as a group of spritely locals from Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula eagerly prepare for an unmissable day of dazzling bright lights, pulsating beats from Lady Gaga, and the chance to beat a drum. The VAMP Music Disco at Mornington Salvos is not only paving the way to greater accessibility for people with disabilities; it also stands as a vibrant symbol of inclusivity and festivity, encouraging everyone to dance and play music with joy as Salvos Online journalist LERISSE SMITH discovered.
There’s nothing quite as thrilling as experiencing a one-of-a-kind disco with a uniquely uplifting twist.
Bringing a lively and creative approach to the classic dance party, a visit to the VAMP (Varied Abilities Music Program) Music Disco to move, groove and bop about uncovers a vibrant scene where the infectious energy of funky tunes thrills everyone who steps through the doors.
But it’s not just another dance party. It’s a unique participatory disco with interactive percussion, dancing and singing provided for NDIS participants so they can truly shine – and they love it.
“It’s kicking on really well at the moment,” said Dave Parker, Community Music Activities Coordinator at Mornington Salvos.
“Everything that happens on the day is about trying to create a sense of belonging, a sense of fun, a sense of community. For me, it’s community engagement. It’s providing a venue as part of the mission of the Mornington Salvation Army for people who are on the fringe, people who are normally excluded, or they’re clustered together in their own activities.”
With a dynamic fusion of dance and music, VAMP is more than just a weekly event for spritely and daylight groovers; it’s a lively oasis where everyone can feel the rhythm in their own way, a special kind of disco dedicated to creating an inclusive dance and music experience for all.
It also stands as a testament to the belief that everybody can dance and play music to their own beat. Regardless of ability, the participants can find their own rhythm and shine.
Meet Dave in person, and you immediately feel at ease and accepted. He’s a great guy with a big smile who seamlessly integrates with everyone he meets and serves. His passion for enhancing the lives of others, especially those on the NDIS, is clearly evident.
As a talented and experienced musician, singer and teacher, he knows firsthand the power of dance and music to unite people from all walks of life and transcend cultural and language barriers.
His mission is simple: For everybody to feel free and uninhibited to truly enjoy and express themselves in a safe, inclusive and caring environment, where interactive percussion, dancing and singing are the order for the day enhanced by the disc jockey (DJ), David Williamson, who is equally passionate about everyone having a great time and exudes a friendly persona. At 65, this is one role the DJ loves in life.
A visit in person to the disco not only reveals the participants’ love of singing into microphones, playing the guitar, shaking a tambourine or beating a Djembe West African drum but also dancing and grooving to much-loved songs, with Bad Romance, Ghostbusters, YMCA and Dancing Queen among the most requested songs.
In fact, song requests are all-important and a priority when the participants walk through the doors ready for another fabulous Tuesday.
“They love it,” David said. “They will bring their requests on their phones and show them to me.”
Evolution of VAMP
The story of how VAMP began started several years ago, with Dave behind its inception. Reflecting on how it evolved, he recalled how it was probably tied in with his own vocational journey. He was employed with the education department for most of his professional life, first as a music teacher, before working in the student wellbeing and support program for 29 years.
“I had the best of both worlds really,” he said.
“It was sort of a good marriage. Music was my therapy at school. So, even when I was doing the wellbeing job, I ran a lunchtime ensemble and that was my escape from the difficulties working with kids and families who had challenges.”
Dave facilitated the Student Representative Council on the peninsula in Rosebud and became involved in a disco known back then as the ‘Blue Light Disco.’ The police ran the disco in the area, plus a ‘disability disco’ once a year. He fully supported the initiative and encouraged children to join the fun. It also gave him “a bit of a taste” of how a disco ran for people with disabilities.
When he retired, Dave was approached to take over a community music access program at Hastings Salvation Army, originally started by a Salvos employee, Stuart Lees. The program ran for four years, one day a week, before ceasing due to COVID-19. It was then that Dave initiated VAMP Music Disco.
“I changed it quite a bit, renamed it and rebadged it,” he said.
“I wanted to make it more engaging with percussion instruments. If you take a look at the disco advertising pamphlet, you will find there’s a photo of a lot of handheld percussion, drums, tambourines or timbrels.
“I have a lot of percussion instruments placed around the room with about four to five guitars with straps so participants can walk around and strum. It doesn’t matter if they know how to play the instruments; they are just having fun. It’s all about the tactile experience.”
About 20 to 30 people on the NDIS attend each week. Most of them are regulars. About half of them come from one NDIS provider, Focus Life, plus several others. The attendees will come with an agency worker who accompanies them for the day.
Dave said it was kicking on really well, especially with the group of NDIS workers accompanying their clients, who were in the younger age group and engaged in the disco.
“I used to look around the room and four or five years ago, about a third of the workers would be up dancing and interacting and encouraging their clients,” he said.
“The other third would be enjoying what was going on, but that would be on the sides, looking at their phones, whatever, and just enjoying the fact that they didn’t have to look after their client. And I’m not criticising that, but it’s much more interactive and inclusive now. Whereas before, I would say probably years ago, I would see seven or eight workers just sitting in a chair on the side the whole time.
“Now, it’s only one or two. I’ve had the workers when they’re coming in, they’ll say, Dave, this is far better than anything else our clients go to.”
“Because it’s a community where they’re accepted and there’s no exclusion. People are encouraged to participate in whatever way they want. And that’s my theology behind the disco.”
In the early days of VAMP, Dave was a one-man band running the DJ desk, setting the room up, and ensuring everything ran smoothly. But then he handed the DJ role to David to run the music desk. Thanks to Spotify, various song requests are accommodated, from Elvis Presley and Elton John’s Crocodile Rock to the Village People’s YMCA.
All are popular amongst the crowd, and it is important for the participants to feel ownership of song requests.
“They have got ownership in that they look forward to hearing their song coming up,” Dave commented.
“I’ve got to say I have a real connection with most of them because they’re pretty regular. And it’s smiles all around when we arrive in the room. With David on the desk, it gives me an opportunity that once I’ve welcomed them at the front desk, near the front door, I can then go down and join the group and be much more interactive, and just walk around the room … on any given day, some will be in wheelchairs.”
Also joining in on the fun is Mornington Corps Officer Major Debbie Taylor. She said VAMP was bringing the joy of Jesus to the beautiful people who took part through music and dance in a way they may understand.
And seeing the participants enjoy themselves was also a beautiful thing for Dave. Additionally, the big smiles on their faces and observing the workers help attendees in wheelchairs to their feet to sway backwards and forwards for one song. Usually, they know the person will just love getting out of the chair and moving a bit.
When reflecting on his many interactions with those who participated in VAMP, Dave highlighted a visually impaired lady who had become a favourite. She sits at the front desk near him or near the DJ. He bought her a little ukulele a while back, which she brings along faithfully every week. She doesn’t strum it for long but loves having it with her.
“And that’s her experience,” Dave said. “You know that’s just how she enjoys the thing.”
With the disco entry costing $7 to cover running costs, most support workers encourage their clients to have cash in their wallets, transact that payment and receive a receipt to help build their life skills and efficacy in society.
Also, of key importance for Dave is continuing to provide a fun event where everyone feels accepted, valued, included and respected.
“As a person of faith, I try to create some experience for people who are normally excluded that resembles or could simulate what it might be like to be in the presence of the kingdom of God,” Dave said.
“Because it’s a community where they’re accepted and there’s no exclusion. People are encouraged to participate in whatever way they want. And that’s my theology behind the disco.”
To read Lerisse Smith’s personal reflection on attending the disco day, click here
