Our classes in Sydney for 2025 have flourished in every way. Our community grows with wonderful energy and it continues to support each other both in and out of the studio having a laugh and a dance where we can.
Our newest class in Concord has grown to capacity. Many of our classes were treated with extra fun by guest teachers this year – Phillipe Klaus our wonderful actor and voice coach, led the fun at Allawah and Bondi Junction with voice and live music. Our Pennant Hills class guest teachers led in salsa classes and singing and extended to social fun at Waitara Magpies! Mosman tried their hand at musical theatre and hip hop and had a laugh at the fun brought with that.
We have two classes at Montefiore Aged care facilities, and starting in 2026, Levande Cardinal Freeman in Ashfield joins our community.
Our Volunteer base for class assistance has expanded, with the classes now well supported by caring and wonderful ladies who listen, chat, guide and help with chairs and roll call all wrapped in a kind supportive attitude.
Special mention to our two volunteers, Sue, and Cathie, who manage the Sydney program and tirelessly ensure its smooth running in all aspects. Thanks also to our Sydney Committee of dedicated volunteers whose support, guidance and skills ensures a program that is smooth running and sustainable. As the program grows, the demands are great and we thank you all for your continued service and donated time to the program – Paul, Sue, Cathie, Sue 2 and Erica Rose. Special thank you also to Ross who has now left the committee after being a dedicated community member for 3 years.
We are eternally thankful for each of our volunteers for their care and dedication. Thank you! Please be in touch if you would like to join our program as a volunteer.
We want to thank all our generous supporters, for the financial and venue support we receive, who make our program sustainable with the ability to provide affordable classes. Hornsby Council (Hornsby RSL and Waitara Magpies), Georges River Council, Concord Rotary, Waverley Council, Inner West Council & Mosman Council. We thank you and salute your support of our program.
Last, but definitely not least – our teachers, the lifeblood of the program and so to you, our dedicated Teachers who turn up every week, create, teach, care, share stories, laugh and cry with our participants – we wish you a wonderful Festive Season and thank you with all our hearts for all you do.
Below are reflections from the teachers of the Bondi Junction class by Jolie Brook, Allawah Class by Jenny Dennis and Mosman class by Sue Dutton.
Bondi Junction
At the end of class in Bondi Junction I sometimes incorporate little movements from every exercise we’ve done that day. I’m attempting now to do the same from our year of classes for 2025. Without writing a book and just penning a paragraph!
We chat, always lots of connecting as folks come to their dance chairs. New folks are always welcomed by someone/many in the class and before they know it feel like they’re with old friends. We become quiet. We hear the music, sometimes following along, going with the flow, sometimes closing our eyes and waiting for a hand softly on our back to begin moving our bodies. We awaken our bodies, our faces, our energy, we
connect, we laugh, we feel, we sigh and boy do we dance. We come in the rain, in the wind, in the sun, with friends, with family, with carers, with community transport or in Helen’s ‘mini bus’.
We’ve made a beautiful dancing community and gee it most certainly feels uplifting through the passage of life to know and belong to such a place. We come back week after week to do
more of the same. Dancing. Through it all.
Allawah
Friday afternoon at Allawah
Every Friday afternoon an increasing number of people converge at the entrance of the PJ Ferry Hall. Within minutes we are transported from the hectic trip to class, to a quiet and calm dance studio, where everyone is welcome.
When Cathie leads, I am often mesmerised by the level of unity that is created as we flow from one spiral or turn to another. I always find it so satisfying to be part of a group of dancers working in unison.
I also love to watch how many of our participants have really improved over the last few terms. They have become more familiar with the pattern of the class and more confident in experimenting with the exercises, or just letting go and having fun. Underneath you can detect the determination they are bringing to the class to master the step, leaving aside what is too hard to manage that day.
This term we flashed through Flashdance, and splashed our way around ‘ Splish Splash’. Our feet moved from Scott Joplin’s The Entertainer, Pachelbel’s Canon, Fire Tango and Buddy Holly. For Halloween we became Zombie’s and in the following weeks, our special guest, Phillipe Klaus and Cathie introduced drama, voice and live music.
This year the class numbers have steadily increased with a special mention to Salote who has been with the group for more than 8 years. Recently Mary, a retired physiotherapist and new volunteer joined the class, Her practical support and organisational skills are much appreciated.
I love the creative challenge of making up the exercises, but most of all I enjoy dancing along with our participants. It is such fun; being creative, dancing with others, and experiencing many moments of connection and delight, with a great group of wonderful people!
Mosman
What a beautiful group we have joining us in Mosman each week. Many have been part of our cohort since the beginning and we have become what feels like a growing family.
Our guest teachers this year – John with his moonwalk & popping had us all in awe & Peter took us onto the stage where we learned the art of breathing and moves from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. What fun!
We thank Mosman Community Care and Mosman Council for their ongoing support of our classes – always friendly faces to greet us and ensure we have a welcoming place to dance each week.
Thank you to Edwina, our volunteer who left to pursue other roles after supporting us for two years and welcome to Ros who has stepped into the role quickly with a supportive hand and a light hearted attitude.
We look forward to more fun in 2026!