Christine Hannele Kakkinen Ioannou Musical Playground and Scholarship Memorial Fund

I have tried and tried to write something fitting for Christine, but I keep procrastinating as I want it to be perfect and wonderful, like her. As you all know, Christine was a simple amazing person and teacher. She completely changed my life, as she did for so many, including my sisters and nieces. In addition to her wonderful piano teaching, starting when she was a teenager in the 80’s through Karen Leonard, and then continuing until 2021 from her home in Coburg, Christine had so much more influence in the area of children’s education, particularly in Music. She volunteered at Coburg West Primary School to lead the choir, she taught Kindermusik at the Bowling Club in Queen’s Park Moonee Ponds where so many babies and toddlers started their musical journeys. She worked at Ivanhoe Grammar, PEGS and a catholic school in Ivanhoe , teaching Music and general primary studies. As a teacher, she was simply amazing. Wanting to share her love of music with as many as possible, Christine took on the role of Music teacher at Bethal Primary School. Over the past 4 years, she worked tirelessly to inspire under privileged students. As we all know, Christine did this all without a single complaint, often working right after her treatment sessions, refusing to give up and rarely sharing details of what she was going through.
This memorial fund will allow Christine’s passion for music education to continue to be shared with children. The fund will comprise of two parts, a musical playground and funds for underprivileged students to learn an instrument in Years 3 -6 of primary school. We are currently in discussions about the size and location of the musical playground with Moonee Valley Council and the proposed site will be at Queen’s Park where Christine held her Kindermusik classes. I have attached some photos of the ideas for the playground. The music book can be adapted to include other songs such as Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Thank You for the Music, Elvis songs in addition to simple, well known songs suitable for children and families to enjoy. Depending on funds raised and the outcome of the meetings with council, the playground could be a simple babel drum (it makes the most beautiful sound when played) inscribed with details about Christine, or a more elaborate playground with a variety of instruments that include inclusive instruments for disabled users. I invite you to take a look at some of the photos and listen to the sounds of the instruments in the catalogue. The instrumental music program will benefit students at Bethal Primary School in the Broadmeadows/Meadow Heights area where Christine worked sharing her love of music with disadvantaged children over the past four years.
On behalf of Tom, Ricky and the Ioannou and Kakkinen families, I hope you will donate so that Christine can continue to share her love of music, which brought her and all those who had the privilege of knowing her so much joy.