BY JEM ANSHAW
Following the annual Interacts program last week at St Joseph’s Catholic College, Chic Taylor will be picking up the paper looking for photos and stories about her guys and the students who put on an amazing week of activities.
But not this year.
This year we are celebrating Chic and the amazing commitment and dedication she has shown, running the program for 20 years.
There is no question that putting on three days of engaging and accessible activities is a massive team effort and behind it all is one woman who had a vision.
“The guys just love music and dance, and it just brings out joy in everyone, I think that’s where we started with it,” Chic recalled when asked how it all begun back in 2006.
“We arranged for NIDA to teach some acting skills, we had them for a few years with the Joeys students helping then we thought, the kids can run this, we don’t need NIDA.”
From there it became a rite of passage of sorts for the St Joseph’s Catholic College students to organise and deliver a range of workshops over three days to local disability service clients, culminating in a concert where everyone has a chance to perform on stage.
Each year has a theme, and while some of the base activities like cooking, craft and Zumba remain popular staples, they mix it up with special guests. This year they were joined by a magician who shared some tricks of the trade.
“I don’t care what happens at the concert, it’s what happens over that whole three days because the guys just get so much out of it, they feel like a family here,” Chic said following this year’s concert.
“We’ve had a few new clients this year, and students, and within half a day it’s like they’ve known everyone for forever, it’s incredible to watch, it’s absolutely beautiful.”
Despite always insisting the participants and students are the ones in the spotlight, Chic is the heart of Interacts.
“It’s fun, tiring at times, but it’s fun,” Chic shared when discussing what helps motivate her to keep delivering the program.
“There’s been times when you think, ‘oh my God’, but you see the smiles on faces, and you’ve just got to keep going.
“While ever I’ve got a kick in me, I’m going to keep it going until I find someone to take it over.”
This year’s concert included a special song written by Chic, that the whole group performed to close out the night.
It was an emotional moment, as she sat at the front of the stage surrounded by participants and students singing along, Chic didn’t realise they had learnt the whole song.
Another surprise was the presentation of a plaque to acknowledge 20 years of the program, but reflection was not as interesting as planning for some of the guys.
“Before I walked off the stage I got asked ‘what are we doing next year?’,” Chic concluded with a laugh.
