Heads up! Ballan Yeehaw Hoedown ahead

A SERIES of beginners’ line dancing classes led by an experienced instructor is on offer at the Ballan Neighbourhood House ahead of a hoedown to support farmers.

Set for Friday 31 October, Ballan’s Yeehaw Hoedown will be free for all to attend and will feature live music and a bootscootin’ bash with the chance to line dance till you drop.

In the lead-up to the hoedown, experienced local line dancing instructor Julie Gerrett of The Renegade Bootscooters will be leading a series of beginners’ line dancing at low cost through the Ballan Neighbourhood House.

The Renegades started in 1994 and proved to be popular among locals in the Ballarat area who were keen to start boot scootin’ in considerable number.

Ms Gerrett now leads regular line dancing classes with the Renegades on Wednesdays mornings and Thursday evenings at the Miners Rest Community Hall where the classes are well attended.

She said she is looking forward to leading the new series of six beginners’ classes at Ballan. She will also lead the line dancing on the evening.

“It’s for a very good cause, supporting our farmers,” Ms Gerrett said.

The hour-long classes will take place from 7pm on Wednesday evenings on 3, 10 and 17 September and 8, 15 and 22 October.

Participants need to register through the neighbourhood house, with a cost of $35 for all six classes.

“Those who attended the bootscooting classes will be able to put their skills to the test, with live music from the Drongos and The Crow, The Darling Family Trust and Duo Delux,” Ballan Neighbourhood House manager Sarah Bingle said.

The event is backed by funding through the Look Over the Farm Gate community grants program and will support the Looking Out for Our Farmers Initiative.

“The Looking Out for Our Farmers Initiative is to raise awareness around the impacts of drought and the cost-of-living crisis on farmers and farming families, and to work together with our community partners to provide a series of uplifting workshops, live music, health and wellbeing activities to let our local farmers know that we have their back as a community and support is available,” she said.

“If you don’t have any bootscooting skills still come along. There is live music and a farmers’ feast.

“Best part is it’s free, however you do need to register so we get an idea of the numbers for the catering.”

More details are available through the Ballan Neighbourhood House.