“I look at my role as being a friend of Canberra Hospital, I can bring some pleasure and happiness sometimes to people who are really in difficult times in their lives.”
With backing music from a Bluetooth speaker, Sayer croons his way around the cancer wards, making a human connection with everyone he comes across.
Canberra Region Cancer Centre Operations Manager Caroline McIntyre says Sayer’s visits are typically kept a surprise for patients and staff.
“He’s always come in so discreetly,” she says.
“Normally it’s just very quiet, he comes up in the back lift and says hello to literally everybody.
“Some of them are doing it tough, and to have a little bit of joy and light – it really gives them a lift.
“What makes me happy is to see people getting chemo on their feet dancing.”
Jamming with Jimi Hendrix, Countdown and the Troubadour
Originally a graphic designer by trade, English-born Leo Sayer rose to pop prominence in London in the late 1960s, as a singer-songwriter – and was soon adopted by Australia as an honorary son after his first tour here in 1974.
He went on to become an Australian citizen in 2009.
Sayer was a regular on ABC TV’s Countdown during the 70s and 80s, performing chart-toppers like “You Make Me Feel Like Dancing”, “When I Need You”, “More Than I Could Say” and “Orchard Road”.
He blushingly admits they were wild days – when he didn’t always live up to his “good-guy” public persona.
“It was mad, I mean, Top of the Pops in England, Countdown over here,” he says.
“You were mobbed by the fans, I remember being dragged out of a limousine the first tour that I came here, and then speaking to crazy people like Molly Meldrum on TV and trying to sort of like take it all in.”
It seems hard to believe – the petite, well-spoken singer, with a mane of curly hair that inspired changing his name from Gerard to Leo – beating off mobs of screaming fangirls.
Sayer circulated in superstar company, becoming close friends with former Beatles George Harrison and Paul McCartney, collaborating with Roger Daltrey of The Who, and even sharing a sly cigarette or two with John Lennon and Yoko Ono who had a flat above his design studio.
“I met Jimi Hendrix right at the start of his career. I actually jammed with him, playing the harmonica, and him playing the guitar,” he says.
Recalling his 1975 opening night at the famous Troubadour Club in Los Angeles, he looked up to see an intimidating line-up of fans in the front row.
“It was David Bowie, Elton John, and ‘The Fonz’ [Henry Winkler].”
Alongside them: John Cleese, Mick Jagger, Bernie Taupin, and comedian Marty Feldman.
“We never thought it would last, we were adapting to things around us, writing songs about things that are around us,” he says.
“And we thought they were only for our generation — so the amazing thing is my music’s become like a fine wine, where you lay it down and years later, it becomes a collector’s item.
“We’re in an age where the music that I make, young kids are actually latching onto it now, and they’re finding that that generation and that style of music we made is as current now as anything.”
Sayer’s health battles, still spreading hope at 76
Leo Sayer says his hospital charity work caps off a career dedicated to providing joy through music.
“It’s a nice piece of synchronicity really, because I was born in the grounds of a hospital in Shoreham by Sea in Sussex, near Brighton in England,” Mr Sayer said.
“I suppose I’ve always felt comfortable in hospitals and being around hospitals.
“Growing up, my dad was a hospital engineer, Mum was a nurse, my sister was a matron.”
Sayer has health struggles of his own, including three stents in his heart, which help him have a genuine connection to the hospital patients he entertains.
“[My music] is providing something that isn’t taking away from any of the treatment that’s going on. It’s providing something that’s just putting a smile on peoples’ faces.
“Music is communication and that’s what this is all about, we’re communicating, we’re making people feel better.
“We’re not healing people with music, but we are making them feel better about their healing.
“To sell out Canberra Hospital will do me fine.”
Four police officers grab a bite after a long shift – can’t believe what’s then written on their receipt
Four Louisiana police officers were working their shifts as normal, and when they became hungry, they decided to go to Outback Steakhouse to grab a bite to eat for dinner. What they didn’t know was that as soon as they walked in the door, the manager and server took notice of their uniforms and planned to send them a message on their receipt.
Every day, law enforcement puts their lives on the line to ensure the safety of the general public. One restaurant staff member decided to thank their local police in a special way!
The Slidell police officers often visit the local Outback Steakhouse for lunch, dinner, and even late-night meals. Manager Arline Wood has nothing but nice things to say about the officers that visit her restaurant! She loves having them in, and server Zoe says, “They’re the sweetest guys.”
They always treat the staff with respect and dignity, and Arline appreciates their continued patronage. That night, two employees decided to take special care of some of the officers that had come in at the end of their shift. The Outback duo picked up the check for the four officers that were dining that night! Totaling around $67, server Zoe dropped off the receipt with a little note thanking the men for all that they do.
The officers were very moved by this kind gesture and gave Zoe a large tip in return! They posted a picture of the receipt on the Slidell PD Facebook page and received even more positive feedback. Slidell PD said,
“Words can’t describe how this makes all of us feel. THANK YOU MS. ARLENE AND ZOE FOR BEING SO KIND AND SHOWING YOUR APPRECIATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.”
Manager Arline said she never expected this kind of media attention; she just wanted to thank the officers for their service.
Arline and Zoe hope this helps inspire other people to take the time to thank the men in blue. Now, more than ever, the police officers need to be reminded that we still appreciate what they do!
These women were able to show their gratitude and respect to the officers who serve their community! Let’s hope more people take a page out of their book and pay it forward. A positive act like this helps to combat all of the negativity in the world.
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