Singing for seniors for 30 years

After 30 years of entertaining senior citizens at the ILT Over 70s Christmas Dinners, keyboardist and singer Margaret Bates (right) still has more songs to sing.Her daughter Julie Thompson joined her on stage to mark her mother’s milestone at the Ascot Park Hotel this week.

Mrs Bates said she enjoyed singing at the dinner every year and all she wanted to do was to just see people being happy.

"I just try to play what people know and get them to sing and dance and just be happy," she said.

About 700 over 70s Invercargill residents enjoyed a Christmas dinner served by ILT staff and their families on Monday and Tuesday.

ILT chairman Paddy O’Brien said it was the trust’s way of saying thanks to the community for the legacy they had left for the people of Invercargill.