Now 38, deWeijer decided at the age of 15 that he wanted to make a difference to the lives of others. Since February, the Dutch-born social worker has been collaborating with a group of aspiring musicians from the Araluen Centre, a non-profit company that provides accommodation and day services in Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs.

The nine Araluen attendees began with no previous musical experience, and have been working diligently for the past eight months to play together as a band.

‘‘I pulled apart the drum set and taught them how to keep a rhythm and beat. Then a couple of months later we added guitars and a keyboard,’’ deWeijer says.

“Using music as a tool to help [the group] express themselves and bring something to the surface that is otherwise very difficult to reach is very rewarding.”

When deWeijer began working with Onemda eight years ago, he realised there was room for change in its music program.

“I found that the people who would do art and craft would have something at the end of the year that they’d get to take home, but the music program was very recreational. There was no tangible final product to show for their hard work.”

DeWeijer brought in his recorder and asked each member of the group to pick a song. “Then we got the art and crafts guys to make album covers.”

While the CD gave the group something to be proud of and show off to family and friends, it also had some surprise benefits.

Onemda sent a copy to Manningham Council, which provided the non-profit organisation with a grant to buy instruments.

Now he’s the official music director at Onemda, and deWeijer says transforming the program has satisfied his long-held desire to make a difference.

“I wanted to pass on the idea that you don’t have to accept what is going on like there is some sort of politician somewhere who decides what sort of recreational, psychological, intellectual or artistic possibilities you have. You can do something to change it yourself.”

Enthusiastic and full of potential, the band now practises every Tuesday at the Templestowe Memorial Hall.

“There is one lady here and you wouldn’t be able to hear her speak if she was saying something, which she rarely ever does,’’ says deWeijer.

‘‘But when she comes to the music program, she comes out of her shell. Most people would have never heard her voice beforehand.”