Dancing dreams realised | Taree and District Eisteddfod 50th anniversary

But for Dulcie Balderstone, the shoes were a step towards realising a long-held dream.

“I’ve always wanted to dance,” she said.

She joined the Annie Rose Academy of Dance in Taree following her birthday last year with her daughter Lyn Shultz and granddaughter Nikki Thornton joining her soon after.

“I said to Lyn to come down and have a go and that’s how we started dancing and we love it!” said Dulcie.

“It’s good exercise and it keeps you going.”

Neither Dulcie or Lyn have danced previously, though Nikki was taught by dance school principal Kate Cheney’s mother Bev Williamson when she was growing up (Kate is a fourth generation dance teacher).

Lyn said she had brought Dulcie along to her first class and before she knew it someone said they had a pair of tap shoes in their car that would fit her and she’s been back every week since too.

When Nikki joined in as well it saw the three generations of women coming together with other dancers once a week to learn and enjoy each others company.

Their group has entered two sections in this year's Taree and District Eisteddfod dance group section, The All Comers (which is open to everyone including dance teachers) as well as the Open Hollywood Musical section where they will dance Hello Dolly.

Dulcie has a feature solo moment in the Hello Dolly routine.

“I’m the one in the silver dress,” she smiled.

Another member of the group is 80-year-old Dorothy Pearson.

She has been dancing with the Annie Rose Academy of Dance for four to five years. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.”

Dorothy said she started dancing when she was about 50 but took some time off due to ill health.

“I just like the freedom that you feel when you’re dancing,” she said.

Kate said she is inspired by her students.

“I want to be like that when older. They come along and have fun and it helps them with confidence.

“The women are friendly and it’s a really caring, positive environment.”

She added that it is good for younger dancers to see the older people dancing, and that the younger generation is always very supportive.

“The last time they performed, the young people backstage stood and clapped as they came off stage.”

With the Taree and District Eisteddfod marking its 50^th anniversary, Kate felt it was a good opportunity to be involved and she will be back herself for the first time in almost 30 years (in the All Comers section).

Kate’s family has a long association with the eisteddfod.

Her mother Bev Williamson introduced tap dancing to the area in 1976 when the family moved to Wingham.

She took on the role of the eisteddfod’s dance co-ordinator from the late Wendy Bourke and in 1991 was made a life members of the eisteddfod.

Kate performed in the Baby Dance Section of the eisteddfod when she was five and won first place.

The adult tap class is on at 9am Saturday mornings at the Church of Christ Hall in Victoria Street, Taree. Contact Kate on 0400 340 364 for more details.