Gavin Pearce (Braddon, Liberal Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Health, Aged Care and Indigenous Health Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Speaker, you will appreciate that a certain tune or song has the power to elevate us all. It can connect us to the present or transport us to another place in another time. There is plenty of research that proves that listening to music has an incredible physical and medical benefit. That is why music plays such a crucial role in healthy ageing.

The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is one of Australia's greatest orchestras. In partnership with Uniting AgeWell, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is bringing their wonderful music to residents in aged care, including residents at Strathdevon in Latrobe in the electorate of Braddon, using live streaming, video on demand and small ensemble visits. These have proven to be remarkably successful. The feedback from the homes is that the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra brings joy and connection to residents, who are being uplifted by the special memories that this music invokes.

With the value of this program having been well and truly demonstrated, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra's goal is to make these digital concert experiences available to every single aged-care resident across Tasmania. This is something that I back 100 per cent. I want to thank the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra for all that you do, including improving the quality of life and care outcomes for those living in our aged-care communities.