Hazel playing the piano. Photo: Oliver Jacques
Griffith pianist, history buff and great grandma Hazel Lorenzi has just celebrated 40 years of bringing music and song to Griffith’s aged care facilities.
The 82-year-old first started playing the piano and doing weekly sing-a-longs for Pioneer Lodge’s elderly residents in 1982. It was a volunteer gig aimed at bringing a smile to the residents and making them more social.
Fast forward to 2022, and she’s still going, now at Uniting Griffith.
“I learned to play at age 11. I was never good at reading music, so I play by ear. The aged care residents love all the old classics – especially Old Black Joe, Down in the Valley and Banks of the Ohio,” she said.
“I give them a lyrics sheet so they can sing along. Sometimes, they even get up and dance, but if they can’t move they just wiggle their toes. It’s nice to be needed, you can see that I’m appreciated. If I keep people happy for an hour, I’m happy.”
Hazel is used to making long-term commitments. She has been married to husband Denis for 64 years. The couple met at a Griffith RSL dance in the late 1950s and wed in Narrandera a few years later. They have three children, seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
Denis, 84, is proud of his wife’s musical skills.
Denis and Hazel Lorenzi are approaching their 64th wedding anniversary. Photo: Oliver Jacques
“As soon as she sees a piano, she starts playing. There was one time we went down to Melbourne’s Preston Markets. She saw an unused piano and just hopped on it. In no time, there was a crowd around her,” he said.
So what’s the secret to having a successful marriage of 64 years?
“I just do what I’m told,” Denis said.
“She keeps me in line. We’ve always been happy with what we have. These days you see that marriages don’t last so long. I think people sometimes expect too much.”
Denis and Hazel on their wedding day in 1958 in Narrandera. Photo: supplied.
Hazel has long been an iconic figure within the Griffith community and is known for her love of history.
She keeps a large collection of old photographs and newspaper clippings and remembers the details of every Griffith wine festival, tennis tournament and special visits. She also has clippings of herself playing in various aged care facilities dating back to the early 1980s.
“It’s important to reflect on our history, it’s who we are. I hope to keep playing until I’m 100,” she said.
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