Media Release

Andy Rice wasn’t thinking about music when he fell head first, three floors down onto concrete. But music was instrumental in getting him back on his feet.
He was one of the first people to benefit from the Creative Therapies Program at the Royal Talbot Rehabilitation Centre, 1 Yarra Boulevard, Kew. Now Andy is one of the performers helping to raise awareness of their ground-breaking work at an open air concert and family fun day on Sunday 15 February 2009.
“Sunday Sounds at the Royal Talbot” (from 11am to 6 pm) features a host of national and local performers – including former patients Andy Rice, Brian Hooper and Ross Cottee. Taking the stage throughout the event, hosted by Lawrence Mooney, are:
Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, Shane Howard, Ross Ryan, Keith Potger, Mike Rudd and Bill Putt (Spectum), Leticia Maher, Gospel Belles. Charles Jenkins, Unsung, Jess Evans and Wendy Ealey, Jo Kelly Stephenson and Pinochio’s Nose (Dave O’Brien).
There will be food and market stalls, exhibitions of patient art, health and well-being displays, reptile awareness demonstrations, art and garden activities, exhibits by local conservation groups, mosaic workshops, wheelchair sports demos; and for the kiddies, there are roving circus performers, face painting, free jumping castle and rides.

**Free entry, BYO picnic, $2 donation parking**
Music therapy was a fast-track to recovery for Andy, who suffered amnesia after extensive brain surgery following the accident. “Music opened up the pathways in my brain to unlock the blocks in my memory,” explained.Andy, who was hospitalised for more than six months and suffered extreme depression following his discharge.
Before his accident, Andy was in a band named The Guttersnipes (whose biggest claim to fame was supporting Nirvana at The Palace, St Kilda, in 1992). After his fall from a balcony at a warehouse party in 2002, he woke up in hospital a few weeks later and didn’t know who he was when he looked in the mirror.
His participation in the Creative Therapies Program (art, music and horticulture) gave him back his confidence and a positive attitude to life: “Music is a part of everyone’s life – more than people give credit for.”
“The Creative Therapies Service at Royal Talbot is an innovation in rehabilitation helping to improve people's physical, mental and emotional recovery after acquiring a disability,” says Sal Dema, Manager of Leisure and Integration Services at the Royal Talbot. “These approaches, while complementary, push the boundaries of what is seen as traditional rehabilitation and so at this stage they depend on donations and support from the community.”