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Australian Children’s Music Foundation
By PDG Bob Aitken – Editor of Rotary Down Under
Magazine
The Australian Children’s
Music Foundation (ACMF) is now almost eight years into a
comprehensive music initiative for Australian children and youth,
with emphasis on disadvantaged an indigenous young people.
Don Spencer entertains Rotarians at the Rotary Zone 8 Institute in
Newcastle, Australia |
Launched in 2002, The ACMF is the brainchild of
legendary Australian singer/songwriter and children’s television
entertainer Don Spencer.
Don Spencer formed The ACMF when he realized
how neglected music had become in many schools across
Australia.
He was alarmed to discover that almost 75% of Australian government
schools no longer have a specialist music teacher.
In an inspiring presentation
to the Rotary Zone 8 Institute for past, present and future officers
of Rotary International in
Newcastle
Australia
last November, Don emphasized that research had proven that
participating in music had a significant impact on a child’s
positive development. He said music encouraged creativity, improved
motivation, self discipline, communication and enhanced learning
skills.
“Music can be a pro-social alternative to a
cycle of anti-social behavior and it can reach those who have become
‘disengaged’. Participation in music can provide great comfort and
can sometimes mean the difference between a child choosing the right
or wrong path in life,” he told the audience.
Don and other key people
from The ACMF had previously addressed the annual gathering of
Australian District Governors Elect at the Director’s Briefing
Weekend in
Parramatta,
Australia.
Asked how Australian Rotary clubs and Districts could best support
such a magnificent “self help” program, Don explained that ACMF had
embarked on an ambitious program.
“We have set up flexible,
specifically designed music programs in more than 20 disadvantaged
schools and 14 detention centres throughout Australia
– along with heavy involvement in the New South Wales Youth Drug and
Alcohol Court Program with sponsorship from the Rotary Club of
Sydney.
Don's son-in-law, Australian actor Russell Crowe, and daughter
Danielle Spencer, accompany Don to a fundraiser for Australian
Childrens' Music Foundation (Photo credit: Sergio Dionisio) |
“This
expansion has placed great pressure on our resources, especially the
supply of musical instruments. Each music program includes
free music tuition and free musical instruments. When students have
displayed a passion and aptitude for their music we like to give
them the musical instrument of their choice to continue their
new-found skill.
“So, one of our major needs is for musical
instruments – new or second hand.
“Secondly, every course at
each school or detention centre costs over A$24,000 and our
financial resources are stretched to the limit.
Rotary Districts in
Australia
are already committed to involvement with ACMF as a result of the
impressive presentation by Don Spencer and world acclaimed cellist
Rachel Scott at the Briefing Weekend.
So, Australian Rotarians and Rotary clubs are
collecting musical instruments and raising cash to assist this
worthwhile program.
Wait, there’s more! The Australian Children’s
Music Foundation – to further stimulate young people’s interest in
music – conducts a national song writing competition amongst
Australia’s
11,000 schools each year.
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