Dancers are having a ball!

AGE is no barrier for members of the Bendigo Ballroom Dance Club, who recently returned for a short stint on the dancefloor in between lockdowns.

Couples, mainly in their mid 50s to late 80s flock to the club from Swan Hill, Kerang, Echuca and Wodonga, and president Daryl Smallman said dancing is more than just fun for members.

“They’re couples that have danced all of their lives so it’s part of their life, they have it in their DNA,” he said.

The club aims to give members the knowledge and skills to master a range of dance styles, with Mr Smallman himself familiar with some 80 different routines.

“We provide teaching for more advance dancing than your average [club],” he said. “We try to provide an environment where they can dance more technical dances.

“We tend to do more in the Latin American style which is your rumbas, your tangos. We also do all of the other stuff that everybody else does as far as saunters, waltzes, all the old-time modern style of dances.

“What we try and achieve is giving people a bigger variety of dances that they can call upon.

“It’s driven primarily by our patrons and that’s the way we try and work it. If they want to learn a dance, that’s what we try and provide.”

Mr Smallman said members could work up a sweat on the dancefloor, with the routines both a physical and mental health exercise.

“It keeps your brain ticking over, it gives you that mental stimulation, it gives you your cardio, which is very important,” he said.

“It’s the social interaction as well as the fitness side of things, being able to get out and meet your friends… and get up on the dance floor with your partner and enjoy yourself.”

Earlier this year the Club amalgamated with Castlemaine-based West End Dance Group, and they’ve since moved their functions to the Lockwood South and District Community Hall to cater for a growing number of members.

In early September, they’ll host a club ball where patrons are encouraged to dress to the nines for weekend of spins, steps and swings.

The club meet weekly on Wednesday evenings. Search Bendigo Ballroom on Facebook for more information.