2025 Parkinsons and Seated Dance classes on Wednesdays run by Julie at the Julie Ross Dance Studio Coffs Harbour have been thriving and loads of fun.
The year had barely started and I was off to the Professional Development Workshop in Canberra in March which was mind blowing and jam packed with so much material I felt I had fully restored my kit bag with lots of essential tasks choreography and knowledge to set me up for the year. The gathering of so many positive and like minded teachers and volunteers made for such a nourishing and fulfilling experience you couldn’t help but feel the energy and uplifting power of the group while participating.
Our Coffs Harbour group have gathered weekly quite consistently this year sadly losing a couple of members to illness but also gathering a few new members as well who have been so warmly welcomed by the regular members. The social aspect of our group founded in 2019 is as strong as ever and the refreshments after, where we share tea coffee and a chat are a vital part of the class. This is the time where we sit share stories and take an interest in each others families, weekly events, living conditions, problems and recommendations for just about everything.
We are fortunate to have ballet barres in the dance studio and have focused quite a lot this year on Posture Strength & Balance and have found the members receptive to learning more and new ways to practice some simple exercises at home at the kitchen bench or a verandah rail. Some members have been experiencing feeling more confident moving and also getting the tick of approval from their Drs. This is very encouraging. Of course we have our favourite music accompanying us and we have become quite good at singing as well along to all our favourite tunes which are often the golden oldies from the 40s to 80s.
I am so appreciative for 2 amazing volunteer women who assist me each week and with whom our classes could not continue to run as efficiently as they do.
From left Volunteer
Rowan Lunney Julie Ross & Volunteer Meredith Ripley
Meredith Ripley has been on board for over 12 months now originally from the Northern Beaches and always brings her zany outgoing personality with her. The members call her Rainbow because of her striped coloured hair but it suits her personality as well.
Meredith loves giving back to the community and adores the ladies and men who come to class, listening about their lives and how they manage their Parkinsons or symptoms. She enjoys keeping them active, upright and having fun all to music helping them with their movements.
Meredith Volunteer and Lorraine Smith member
Rowan Lunney volunteer since the class inception in 2019 is a kind energetic and valued asset to our group.
Rowan enjoys being part of the group giving back to community and understands as you get older it can be isolating. Rowan says “Its heaps of fun and funny and all our members enjoy coming along.We get to all dance together Its the best!”
Rowan volunteer left and Sue Fernandoes member right
Our final class has wrapped up the fun dance and nonsence with a xmas theme to celebrate our love of music, dancing and friendship for 2025. We look forward to gathering again in February 2026.
Pics below – Members Fred and Annette
Julie and Sue
Ann and Lorraine
Cuppa time Theresa Marlene Lorraine and Yvonne
Ann Lorraine Meredith Therese
Happy holiday season and all the best for a thriving 2026 from Julie Ross & Coffs Harbour Parkinsons dance and Seated Movement.