Valmai steps back after 75 years of faithful service

For more Sundays than not over the last three-quarters of a century, Valmai Naveau has been playing piano at her local church. But after 75 years, and countless thousands of hymns, 92-year-old Valmai has decided to take a step back from her volunteer church duties.

“I was 17 when I first started playing in the church at Bournewood,” says 92-year-old Valmai. “When we got married we went to Yeoval and I played in the church there, and we went to Forbes and I played in the church there.

“We came back here… 1973 wasn't it?” Valmai continues, looking to her husband Maurice for confirmation. “And I still play in church.”

Born at Yeoval and growing up on a farm at nearby Bournewood, Valmai says she learnt to play the piano at the convent at Yeoval .

“I learnt there for seven years,” says Valmai, who did her schooling at the small Bournewood school before travelling to Dubbo for high school.

“We used to travel up from Yeoval to Dubbo in a rail motor, board at the hostel during the week, and come home Friday night, and have the weekend at home,” she recalls.

Returning to the family farm after high school, Valmai says she did almost consider a career in music.

“We had piano at home and so I'd play the and I used to teach a few kids around the district  music… one girl and I used to play piano duets, I don't know whether she plays now, but she still lives in Yeoval,” says Valmai.

“But when I came home after high school I thought, what am I going to do? I'll be either a hairdresser, a dressmaker, or a music teacher. We lived right out in the bush and so Dad bought me a sewing machine and so I was a dressmaker.” 

Valmai even made and designed all the dresses at her own wedding, when she and Maurice were married in 1954.

But music has always remained a big part of her life.

“There's not many days that I don't get out and touch the piano,” says Valmai, leading Orange City Life through to the garage, where she keeps her piano.

“It backs on to the laundry wall, it's great! I can get out there and play and I don't bother anybody” she explains with a laugh.

“Or else I push the roller door up and the ladies will come by and have a sing-a-long!”

Next to her piano, is a pile of well-worn hymn books and sheet music.

“We go over the Ascott Gardens once a month and I play for a little service there,” continues Valmai, looking through her collection of hymn books.

“We have a bit of a sing-a-long up there in the Gallard Centre with the folk here… Here's what we sing: Morning has Broken, Walk With The Lord, Onward Christian Soldiers and Come All Ye Faithful, and Because He Lives — that's one of my favourites.

“I just like playing,” concludes Valmai simply. “I like playing the hymns and playing pieces of music.”