There are some whose mission in life is to spread joy and make people feel good.
The Latrobe Valley’s famous Koko the Clown did it by clowning around, and Gippsland’s DJ Nige does it with music – which he has been doing his whole adult life.
As a DJ, Nigel Beck has performed at thousands of public and private events over the years. However that all came to a halt with Covid-19, as it did for others in his profession.
Not wanting to be prevented from dispensing joy, DJ Nige has been hitting the streets in his self-contained vintage Kombi named Deirdre to play some tunes, as restrictions allow. Nige’s impromptu musical outings have lifted the spirits of passers-by around Warragul and Drouin.
“The response absolutely blew me away,” Nigel said.
“The link between music, wellbeing and mental health is well documented and I got to see first hand exactly how I could spread joy and positivity by simply doing what I love.”
Buoyed by the positive response of locals who went about their shopping with a spring in their step, DJ Nige is now on a Joyful Tour. With support from local councils, Visit Gippsland and some state government funding, Nigel and Deirdre are dropping into more towns around Gippsland.
“It’s always been my plan that once we got this pandemic under control, that I would hit the streets again and take Deidre out on a musical road trip to spread positivity throughout my beloved Gippsland.
“And so the Joyful Tour came to life and I am incredibly humbled and grateful that my tour has not only been given the go-ahead, but has been sponsored by the Wellington Shire Council and promoted by Visit Gippsland.
“I am going to be extra joyful so I hope you will come out and dance with me as I make my way around Wellington Shire this Spring,” said a smiling DJ Nige.
Listen for DJ Nige between 10am and 1pm Saturdays:
SALE – 3 October, clocktower, Sale Mall.
ROSEDALE – 10 October, Princes Hwy, Main Street.
YARRAM – 17 October, Commercial Road.
HEYFIELD – 24 October, Temple Street.
LOCH SPORT – 31 October, town centre.
PORT ALBERT – 7 November, Tarraville Road/Wharf Street.
MAFFRA – 14 November, Johnson Street.
Also, watch for dates in the Baw Baw Shire and Latrobe City, and who knows, perhaps even other areas!
DJ Nige compiled a playlist of uplifting songs especially for the readers of Gippsland Goodness. CLICK HERE TO CHECK IT OUT – you can listen anywhere, any time!
Gippsland Goodness 