By Alesha Capone
Residents of a Werribee retirement village were all shook up when a drive-through Elvis Presley tribute act visited them on Friday.
Lendlease Heathglen Retirement Village manager Asif Chowdry said the show involved performer Eddie James singing Elvis songs from the back of a ute as it drove around the village.
Mr Chowdry said the ute stopped at various sections of the village, which has 134 units, so that all residents could watch from their front doors or the street while practicing safe social distancing.
“We had residents out dancing, especially couples who live together, dancing in the streets,” Mr Chowdry said.
He said Mr James performed different Elvis songs and took requests, and sang Happy Birthday to a resident who celebrated her birthday on Friday.
Mr James’ son drove the ute, doubling as his soundman.
Mr Chowdry said the Elvis show was part of a pre-Mother’s Day tribute held at the village.
“We’ve had “normal concerts” in the community centre before, but never anything like this,” he said.
Mr Chowdry said he organised the Elvis event because many of the village residents were feeling anxious about COVID-19, and had not been able to participate in their regular recreational activities for almost two months.
“I thought, ‘There must be something we can do to entertain them while keeping to all the social distancing requirements’,” he said.
Mr Chowdry said managers of Lendlease’s retirement villages had also purchased food staples and frozen meals to provide to residents free-of-charge if they felt worried about visiting supermarkets during the pandemic.
He said Heathglen also ran its own TV channel, which has been airing good news stories, cooking shows and comedic programs like Mr Bean.
“The only thing is, I hope the residents don’t freak out when they see my face on the prime time news,” he joked.
