Line dancers step to Miners Rest

FOR the past month, Miners Rest Community Hall has come alive on Wednesday mornings and Thursday evenings with country rock music and hardwood-hitting choreography.

All-ages line dancing classes are led by Renegade Bootscooters, who were based at Sebastopol Scout Hall for 16 years.

Instructor Julie Gerrett said the new venue has been a fantastic move.

“The hall is beautiful with its kitchen, and it’s a bigger space which we have needed,” she said.

“The management committee have been so helpful and word’s been catching around that we’re here now. We’ve got about five

or six all new faces from Miners Rest now.

“I had a lot of new people in Sebas but now we’re getting new people here as well, and everyone’s followed us.”

Ms Gerrett estimated the group sees about 35 people during their Wednesday morning sessions, and around 50 people on Thursday evenings.

Among several new regulars, the group’s Miners Rest move saw the return of participant Sandy Madden, who previously took part in Melbourne.

“I started with the Renegades 24 years ago at Williamstown Town Hall for two and a half years before they disbanded it and moved back to Ballarat,” she said.

“I moved to Miners Rest eight years ago but didn’t have the time to go to classes again because I was working.

“I was highly excited to see they were coming here, and now it’s only three minutes away for me.

“I knew no one when I started back here. In the three weeks since and I’ve made so many new friends and rekindled old friendships.”

Renegade Bootscooters was formed almost 30 years ago by Ms Gerrett’s sisters Jan and Wendy, and was previously based at Doveton Street, and the former Mill Market, and delivered classes to Horsham, Ararat, Stawell, Geelong, and Melbourne.

“Jan passed away in 2018, and I was going to stop but this is now a legacy for her,” Ms Gerrett said. “She loved it so much.

“When it started, it was like a business whereas now it’s a non-profit group where everyone gets together and has fun, and you don’t need a partner to dance.

“It’s more like a party than a dance class.”

Beginner and intermediate/advanced classes are held on Wednesdays from 9.30am and 10.30am respectively at a cost

of $5 for the initial session and $7 for both.

The schedule is repeated on Thursdays from 7pm to 9pm.