Guitar magic for Sam

From: Melbourne Herald Sun, Australia - 25 Feb 2003

By MANDI ZONNEVELDT

Boy wonder: Sam gets a lesson from Joe Camilleri.
Picture: David Caird

FOR most of his short life, little Sam Rickard has been unable to hear music.

But since his severe hearing deficiency was diagnosed last year, and with the help of hearing aids, the cheeky 2 and 1/2-year-old has shown he has the makings of a maestro.

"He loves music," his mum, Vanessa, said. "He plays guitar at home all the time. He just thinks it's amazing.

"Once the windows open and they can hear, they just love everything."

The budding guitarist was given some tips yesterday by the master himself, Joe Camilleri.

Camilleri will perform with singing sisters Vika and Linda and the James Reyne Band in a fund-raising concert for Taralye, the oral language centre for deaf children that Sam attends.

The centre, which receives less than a third of its funding from the government, helps hundreds of hearing-impaired children every year.

Camilleri said people took for granted that they could hear, speak and sing.

"If my music can in some way help to get deaf kids talking, that's great, that's perfect," he said.

The concert, Perfect Day, will be held on Sunday, March 23, at Dame Elisabeth Murdoch's home, Cruden Farm, in Langwarrin.

Those who attend will enjoy a picnic lunch and fine wine as well as the music.

For information and to buy tickets, contact Ticketek on 132849.

Net link: www.ticketek.com.