LOCALS will remember how the COVID-19 lockdown played with our mental health. To help boost everyone’s mood, local resident Rosie Collins created a Facebook page called Glenelg Shire Musical Mates, encouraging community members to post videos of themselves singing or playing instruments to help keep people entertained while stuck at home.
Local contributor Sue Anderson became a popular face on the social media platform and enjoyed it so much she has continued to provide entertainment years after its inception.
Ms Anderson’s musical journey began almost 10 years ago when she joined the Portland Community Rockers, but the group’s social get-togethers ended abruptly with the arrival of COVID.
“I was looking for something to do in the way of singing with other people (when I joined the Rockers), and I’ve been with them ever since…nearly 10 years now,’ she said.
“(But) when COVID arrived I ended up thinking ‘well, what do I do now?’
“Then Rosie started up Glenelg Musical Mates with some friends and asked anybody to come and join in online.”
It was just what was needed. Ms Anderson and her partner Steven Greszczuk joined, dressing up for every video and dancing side by side in all their posts. They covered songs from AC/DC, Sonny and Cher and much more, camping it up and generally having a good time.
“It was hilarious, and (people) just loved it, because we were all going through this crazy time and it just cheered everyone up.
“We (covered songs like Sonny and Cher’s) I Got You Babe and we kept mucking up. We dressed up and we were very amateur because I didn’t know where to put the phone.”
Other technical difficulties included having to read song lyrics from a second phone, which was near impossible because they were so hard to see, especially while performing. Now, they’ve got the benefit of a new TV and YouTube, and can put the phone at the top of the TV and tune into YouTube for the lyrics, said Ms Anderson.
“We make people happy (and) do some crazy antics. The other week Stevie dressed up as Rod Stewart, and wore tight animal-print pants.”
Ms Anderson has collected so many costumes and wigs during her new entertainment venture she has had to allocate her entire spare room for them. She visits second-hand shops during day trips to Hamilton or Mount Gambier and picks up anything she finds appealing.
“I’m going into my fourth year now with my singing online, and (have been adding to my collection) all those years,” she said.
Ms Anderson remains passionate about performing. Even a broken ankle last year couldn’t stop her, and the positive responses to her videos let her know she’s still bringing smiles to people’s faces.
