WESTERN AUSTRALIA
DPWA – 10 Year Celebration
WA had a celebratory start to the year, with recognition of the DPWA 10 year Celebration Afternoon Tea held at the Niche. Guest speakers included Gary Hodge (Ausdance WA), Jasmin Naglazas (Parkinson’s WA), four of the original dancers Derek Milton, Lois Laufman, Shelley & John Thompson – as well as perspectives from long-time supporters Ella Waterworth and Jac El-saleh. It was a gathering to mark and celebrate people that have been involved in the program over the past decade, and with a view to the future pathways for our community. To read more click on this link to read the article written by Gary Hodge, Chair of Ausdance WA.
Community Classes
We have had a positive start to 2025 with dancers returning to classes at Kwinana, Dalkeith and Vincent with keen-ness and drive. Thank you to local councils – City of Kwinana, City of Vincent and City of Nedlands – for their ongoing support for the classes.
Pilot II – City of Gosnells Pilot Classes
We enjoyed our second series of pilot classes at the Addie Mills Centre, with a group of wonderful dancers joining in the four-weeks of classes. It resulted in a poignant story-sharing of the pair of ballet shoes that had been gifted to a young dancer 80 years ago, from her parents as a post-war celebratory present. Dance connects people across time, space and history.
Regional WA Tours
We are heading out across the Wheatbelt and Great Southern Region to deliver classes in Aged Care, thanks to generous supporters through the ACF. Due to the nature of the timing (between Easter and Anzac Day weekends) we are condensing the Great Southern to two locations – Wagin 
and Katanning We are offering a FREE Community Class at the WAGIN TOWN HALL on April 22 at 10 – 11am followed by morning tea. We are also visiting aged care residences in these locations. Here is the link to the FREE Community Dance Class – please share through your networks. https://www.facebook.com/share/12GHjBMz9jd/
And – drum roll – we are heading to the Red Earth Arts Festival 2025 in the Pilbara in May – www.reaf.com.au – to create new performances of WHORL and partnering with Karratha and Wickham Communities. Registrations to be part of these performances open soon – please share with your contacts in the region!