Phil Golotta shows no signs of slowing down. The veteran entertainer, who has just celebrated his 76th birthday, continues to dedicate much of his time to others.
After making his name as the lead singer with Australian show group The Blue Echoes, from 1962 to 1983, the Truganina resident’s schedule is busier than ever.
Every Tuesday he works with the Vintage Club, a group of retired men who meet weekly at Tarneit’s Penrose Promenade Community Centre.
On Wednesdays, he drives a bus taking elderly residents to bingo, hospital and medical appointments. And on Thursdays, he lends a hand as a guide at the city’s two visitor information centres.
As if that weren’t enough, he walks eight kilometres a day, cycles and does a daily routine of push-ups and sit-ups.
Ms Golotta has also co-ordinated players’ sponsorship at Hoppers Crossing Football Club for more than 20 years.
Phil Golotta keeps the music alive, drives a bus and lobbies for footy sponsors. Photo: Joe Mastroianni
“I love giving back to the community,” he says. “I’m a workaholic; I have to be doing something.
“Two-and-a-half years ago, I sold my entertainment agency and was going to retire, but within two weeks I had nothing to do – it was soul destroying.”
So he started volunteering and went back into singing, and he hasn’t looked back.
While he was unsuccessful, an audition on TV show
The X Factor sparked a career revival, which has given Golotta a full book of singing engagements.
He has a string of hit albums to draw on, including Dancing in the Streets and Clap Your Hands and Shout, from his Blue Echoes days.
Golotta himself wrote the Jamie Redfern hit Hitch a Ride on a Smile, which won the top award at the Australian Popular Song Festival in 1973.
“Age is just a number,” he says. “If you have a talent and you’re willing to work, you should never give up loving what you do.”
National Volunteer Week is on again this year, from May 11 to 17. It celebrates the more than six million people around Australia who volunteer in their communities each year.
A morning tea will be held at the civic centre on May 12 to thank Wyndham’s many volunteers and acknowledge the vital work they do in building community strength and resilience.
Find out more
Details: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au
