4MBS/Silver Memories General Manager Gary Thorpe was part of an expert paneldiscussing ground-breaking research and information around Music and Memory as part of the World Science Festival which was held in Brisbane last week. This prestigious event attracts some of the best scientific minds from around the globe and has been held in New York until now – but here it is in Brisbane!

They have been sharing their information about their areas of expertise and the Music and Memory session was one such discussion. This forum was an illuminating one and reinforced the fact that we are on the right track with our choices for Silver Memories. The forum also brought more attention to the transforming power of music in other areas such as speech and movement and discussed examples of people acquiring new memories and restoring old.

Professor Götz also discussed early research results around a possible cure for Alzheimer’s Disease. It was wonderful to see SM up there in the mix with other luminaries in the field of music, the brain and memory.

THE Silver Memories radio service has been acknowledged for its efforts at the International Dementia Awards.

The Coorparoo-based nostalgic station provides a sense of companionship to thousands of listeners, including 98-year-old Camp Hill resident Sam ­Houselander.

The World War II veteran said the old war songs reminded him of his time serving in Papua New Guinea and the South Pacific.

“(The station) goes all day and all night. If I wake up early in the morning it’s there,” Mr Houselander said.
Founder Gary Thorpe said he was thrilled the station had been named a finalist. He said the service used the power of music to bring back happy memories.

“It turns out that music is a very, very powerful tool for managing physical and verbal agitation,” he said.

Silver Memories is a special nostalgia radio service developed by 4MBS Classic FM to improve the quality of life of residents in aged care.