• At the keys: Josie’s playing brings joy to herself and others

    At the keys: Josie’s playing brings joy to herself and others

    Resthaven Bellevue Heights Retirement Living resident Mrs Josephine (Josie) Wilson has spent a lifetime delighting audiences with her piano playing.

    Whenever her late husband, former Mayor of Whyalla Keith Wilson, spotted a piano while they were out, he would proudly announce, ‘Oh, Josie will play!’

    ‘Wherever we went he would have me playing something,’ Josie laughs.

    Josie now entertains residents at the co-located Resthaven Bellevue Heights residential aged care home, visiting every couple of months to perform some classical favourites.

    ‘It relaxes me,’ Josie says. ‘I just love playing. Music brings me great enjoyment.’

    Josie and Keith met at the Windsor Ballroom on North Terrace in 1955. They were married the following year, and not long after, the couple moved to Whyalla where Keith bought the local newsagency. In 1970, he was elected as the city’s first mayor.

    Alongside raising their six children and supporting Keith’s role, Josie became strongly involved in the community. She was President of the local Neighbourhood Watch, President of the Crippled Children’s Association of SA, part of the Rotary Club and a member of the Penguin Club (a public speaking group). She was also named an honorary member of the local football club, did modelling in the 1960s, and enjoyed jazz ballet and ballroom dancing.

    ‘I’ve always liked being busy,’ Josie says.

    Josie moved into Resthaven Bellevue Heights Retirement Living in 2014, the same time as Keith moved into Resthaven Bellevue Heights. This arrangement enabled Josie to visit Keith often, and she did so until sadly, he died in 2016.

    It was not long after that she started performing at the home.

    ‘I have played the piano since I was four years old,’ Josie says. ‘My mum was very encouraging of me, and when I was 10 years old, I won the Adelaide Eisteddfod Competition.’

    In subsequent years, she also placed highly in the competition with honourable mentions.

    Josie plays by ear now and recently added the Downton Abbey theme tune to her repertoire.

    ‘I do it because I love it, and because the residents tell me they enjoy it too,’ Josie says.

    Thank you for your ongoing support, Josie! It’s been wonderful to having you performing for us for so many years.