‘Let’s rock again’

By Sarah Schwager
A COUNTRY rock club dedicated to bringing nursing home residents out of their rocking chairs and instead rocking to music has opened in Clyde North.
Kevin Bronson, founder of Cranbourne-based Santa’s Workshop, which donates bikes to underprivileged kids, opened the Crossroads Club recently to get senior citizens from around the state out of their homes.
Former world boxing champion Barry Michael, Elvis impersonator Rick Diamond and Cranbourne MP Jude Perera also joined Mr Bronson in opening the club.
The new section to the club, which was funded out of his own pocket, was built over four days and now includes a stage, barbecue area, hall and bar.
Mr Bronson said the idea came about as he had been running concerts at various nursing homes but could no longer afford the petrol. He said it was also an excuse for the residents to get out for a day and visit somewhere new.
“In other countries most people look after their elderly people but not here,” he said.
“It really bothers me. I believe we should look after our parents and respect them. This is one way I can help give them a bit of fun. It makes them happy and gets them out of the nursing home.”
He said the Crossroads Club would also be made available for all locals who wanted to listen to a bit of country rock music and so every second Sunday they would hold a country rock show.
All money raised from sausage sizzles and donations at the door would go back into the Santa’s Workshop charity.
Mr Bronson said the charity was always looking for volunteers to help assemble bikes while at the moment they were looking for any donations of corrugated iron to build an old shed to store the bikes.
Monetary donations are also welcome, while anyone wanting to play at the country rock nights can also contact Mr Bronson.
The country rock shows are expected to start in about a month from now.
Call Santa’s Workshop on 5998 8300 for details or to offer help.