Bringing her own style

Kellie Nobes stepping outside her comfort zone

Kellie Nobes might have just found the perfect formula for Swinging with the Stars success. She hit the ground running with her fundraising and has already seen significant funds added to her coffers and now, getting the dancing right can have her full attention.

“I hosted a 70s Disco at Thyme at the Lakes which was a great success, all thanks to the many local amazing businesses and individuals who donated or supported it,” Kellie said. “We managed to raise $8000 just from this event which was very overwhelming.”

She has also held one of the popular community night dinners at the Blue Lake Bar & Bistro and she is mow promoting a major raffle with a prize worth more that $1600 which is running until June 1.

“Apart from this my main focus now is to master the dancing,” she said. “As much as I loved dancing when I was younger I was able to admit I wasn’t very good at it.”

So aside from some calisthenics, which she stopped as a four year old, there has been no official training but she is already feeling more comfortable thanks to her dancing partner Jayden Green.

“Every rehearsal is daunting, but then Jayden and I have been trying to squeeze in extra rehearsals and it’s been giving me a little more confidence,” Kellie said. “We learn so much in one rehearsal, so every time I leave I feel like I can’t remember it all but it slowly sinks in over each week.

The rehearsals are hard work, but so much fun, and we all have a good laugh at and with each other which is great, it’s been really enjoyable so far.”

And much of that is due to Jayden.

“We connected as friends quite quickly which was an advantage as we were able to jump into the dancing comfortably,” Kellie said.

“We’ve had a couple of mishaps – the first rehearsal I was just getting over COVID and third rehearsal I sustained a little ankle injury, but it’s been smooth sailing ever since and Jayden has been really supporting and encouraging and explains things really well.

“He is also very patient when I can’t wrap my head around the choreography. I think the entire stars and dancers group as a whole have formed such a close bond and I’ve already made some amazing friendships through this experience. “I’m feeling a bit nervous about the tango as it’s fast paced and a lot of footwork which isn’t my strong suit, but the song Kim has selected for it is so powerful and I know it will be a crowd favourite so I’m also excited about it at the same time.”

“… I also encourage all of my clients to step outside of their comfort zone, so thought this might be a way to practice what I preach…” Kellie Nobes

Swinging with the Stars is an experience, that while she is soaking it up now, was not one she immediately jumped at taking up.

“Kim (Cella) contacted me late one Sunday evening and it took me a little while to consider,” Kellie said. “I went in motions of saying yes, no, yes, no as having two young boys and running a business doesn’t leave me much free time but for me the turning point was knowing it was a great way to give back to a community that has supported me in multiple ways, especially over the last few years.

“I also encourage all of my clients to step outside of their comfort zone, so thought this might be a way to practice what I preach, so I decided to take the leap of faith. Most people think I’m confident and outgoing, however dancing in front of a large crowd is terrifying to me.”

It also helped that the stylist, often to the stars, did know people that had previously been involved in the Stand Like Stone Foundation major fundraiser.

“I have a few friends who have participated in it before so they provided me with lots of information about what the foundation has done and projects it supports within the community,” Kellie said. “I liked the idea of raising money for a charity that would support people I knew and keep funds local.”

And she has chosen the Agrilinks sub fund for her proceeds – it has a focus on raising awareness and services of mental health in our community.

“I think it’s a cause I know is close to many of us in some way,” Kellie said. “I have had family members and friends struggle with this area and want to be able to highlight further the need for discussion and assistance around this, especially support and education for younger men and women.”

You can still get involved in financially supporting Kellie’s campaign by contacting her to purchase a raffle ticket for $5, as well as heading to the Stand Like Stone Foundation website and follow the links.

BRINGING HER OWN STYLE: (above) Kellie Nobes was kept busy for the 2022 Brownlow Medal, styling a number of the players’ partners, including winner Patrick Cripps and 2021 winner Ollie Wines.