Smiles, connection and music filled the halls at Beenleigh State High School as more than 100 students came together for Quota Beenleigh’s annual Feel the Music Day.
The Feel the Music event is held for deaf and hard-of-hearing students from across Logan and surrounding areas.
It welcomed 116 attendees this year, making it the largest turnout since the project began in 2012.
Students travelled from schools across Woodridge, Beenleigh, Eagleby South, Mudgeeraba, Redlands, Mt Warren Park, Gainsborough and Logan City Central to take part in a day designed to make music accessible and inclusive.
Quota Beenleigh coordinator Karen Murphy said everybody participated in group rotations of musical instruments, bongos, drumming and dance.
“The faces were glowing with smiles. It was just so positive to see these children enjoying themselves so much,” Ms Murphy said.
This event highlighted the role of inclusion students, who worked alongside organisers and staff to support activities and host a barbecue lunch.
One memorable moment came from student Nataly, who has begun baking cookies as part of a school project.
At the event, she donated her handmade cookies to every participant.
They were individually packaged with an Auslan-themed sticker.
Students left with certificates, books and event t-shirts, with many eager to share their favourite moments.
Maxinne from Mudgeeraba loved her book and certificate so much that she didn’t give it back to have the sticker put on the front.
Additionally, Evvylynn from Woodridge State School excitedly described seeing the school’s agricultural project and visiting the cows as her favourite moment of the day.
Students from the Redlands also returned to the event and recognised organisers from previous years, reminding organisers of the continuous impact this program has.
“Taj from Beenleigh State High School began attending Feel the Music in Prep and has been all the way. This year he is in Grade 12 and is one of the music assistants to teacher Elton Farmer,” Ms Murphy said.
Music teacher Leonis from Redlands District summed up the day’s success simply, she said: “We came up with a plan A, B and C – we didn’t get past A.”
Ms Murphy said one of the day’s most heart-warming moments came when Nataly signed the song ‘What a Wonderful World’.
Ms Murphy said the event would not have been possible without the support of teachers, students, volunteers and school staff who helped bring the experience together.
“We left with tired feet, smiles on our faces, and hearts full of gratitude for such a wonderful day,” Ms Murphy said.
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