Sharpening quick steps for good causes

DANCING the quickstep is pretty pacy – just ask Paige Brooks.

The busy Newington physiotherapist and mum of three young boys is making the time to step onto the dance floor as part of this year’s Dancing With Our Stars fundraiser for the Ballarat Foundation.

Over many weeks of rehearsal, Brooks has been preparing to shine at the gala performance night next Saturday evening, 20 June.

“The quickstep is a bit tricky and it’s certainly quick,” Brooks laughed.

“I did dance in my youth but it was a very different dancing – musical theatre and ballet – so it’s been really challenging because I’ve almost had to unlearn what I’d previously learned.”

Alongside this year’s other participating stars, Brooks has been learning her routine at The Dance Studio under the guidance of Shelley Ross, and with the help of dance partner for the occasion, Ashleigh Ross.

“Ashleigh is a professional dancer and teacher and has been absolutely phenomenal,” Brooks said.

“It’s super different to anything I’ve ever been used to. It’s absolutely non-stop.

“From the moment the music starts you are moving and there’s a lot of travelling around the room.

“We both still fall in a heap at the end of it. I’ve certainly reacquainted myself with a few muscle groups.”

All the while Brooks has been steadily raising money to support the Ballarat Foundation’s work to tackle homelessness, food insecurity, mental health issues, gender inequality and violence, and to boost youth success.

“It’s an incredibly humbling experience and I’m so thankful to everyone who’s donated, and to all my sponsors who have rallied behind me,” she said.

“I’m just so excited to see that all of the funds raised are going to stay in the local community.”

She will be cheered on at the gala by husband Mat, family, friends and work colleagues.

Brooks and the other stars’ individual fundraising pages are accepting donations at ballaratfoundation.org.au