Blog
Merry Christmas
We take this opportunity to wish all our Members a Happy Christmas with our loved ones. The 70th Anniversary Australian DanceSport Championship was a great success. It again provided the anchor for Melbourne and Australia’s third WDSF World Championship - the WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard.
The standard for both events was incredibly high – certainly, the best standard of DanceSport athletes we have ever witnessed in this country, amazing and a great incentive for those who strive for excellence to see the heights they can reach.
The support from the international federations for the World Championship was outstanding and the ADS looks forward to hosting events in the future. Unfortunately, despite our best efforts, a principle sponsor was not achieved. We were hopeful of achieving this right up to the event. However, without a principal partner, the Government of Victoria were very happy with the spectacle of the event, certainly maintaining the excellence of World Championship DanceSport events in Melbourne and Australia. Melbourne is the Event Capital, and as the Event Director, that must be a priority. For those who supported our endeavours thank you sincerely.
Margaret Lonsdale
Event Director
24 December, 2012
Australian Dancing Society - A Night to Remeber
The Australian Dancing Society’s spectacular gala dinner, ‘A Night to Remember’, supports the important work of the world renowned Alfred Hospital. The Australian Dancing Society has a proud association with the hospital and has contributed to many significant projects and redevelopments over the years, including the Intensive Care Unit and the Burns Unit.
This year, The Australian Dancing Society continues its long-standing partnership with The Alfred Foundation, together, raising funds for equipment and facilities that keep The Alfred at the forefront of modern medicine.
Funds raised from tonight’s special event will go towards the estimated $4.5 million dollars required for the purchase and installation of a new 3T MRI machine in a purpose built suite.
The 3T MRI machine represents the latest technology in medical imaging
Sharper images – providing clinicians with more detail about their patients and therefore increasing accuracy
Faster tests – for some patient’s
Better patient comfort – a wider berth can put some people at ease
Better prevention - the minute detail means clinicians can more effectively identify risks
Many people suffering from heart disease, stroke and cancer, will benefit from a new 3T MRI machine.
We are grateful you have chosen to support the Australian Dancing Society and the work of The Alfred this evening. Enjoy your night.
Less than 2 weeks to go....
(Margaret Lonsdale, 18 November 2012)
The team at head office are in count down as we move towards the largest dancesport event in the Southern Hemisphere.
The action will kick off on Friday 23 November at the city launch, Tango In The City, cnr Swanston and Little Collins Street from 12.30pm.
The next week we have many of the top athletes arriving from 50 different countries. It will be a hard battle as Denmark and Germany go head to head. After a full day of eliminations the top 24 will take to the floor at Hisense Arena at Melbourne Park. A new allocation of seats has just been released for both the Grand Final of the Australian DanceSport Championship organised by the Australian Dancing Society on Saturday 1st December. You have the option of a day/night ticket or you might want to attend just for the finals from 7.00pm.
Over 1600 athletes will contest the Australian title. This is an Open to the World event. Just like the Grand Slam in tennis! You might enjoy to call into see the action Thursday after work. Unreserved seating is available for both day and night sessions. Many of the International couples are dancing the WDSF Australian Open. 100 couples will contest this titlle. Eliminations will commence in the morning but by 7pm you will see the best!
The WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard is on Sunday 2nd December. The elimination rounds hit off at 9.30am. They will conclude around 3.30pm in the afternoon, resuming again at 7.00pm for the finals. You can get the free shuttle up to town for dinner or look at the trade expo and wander across to Cafe Arena for dinner.
If you are planning a Christmas celebration why not book some floorside seating and include corporate hospitality. Email any enquiries to
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The Countdown is on.....
(Margaret Lonsdale, 25 October, 2012)
We are in count down, 50 plus countries confirmed, record entries and a team totally committed to DanceSport at all levels. You don’t need to go overseas to see the best in the world, you just need to attend the WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard and/or the 67th Australian DanceSport Championship, commencing Thursday 29th November, 2012.
Special Anniversary Offer
A special 70 anniversary offer to all dancesport athletes taking part in the 67th Australian and supporters of the athletes, will be able to receive a 3-year Bronze membership of the Australian Dancing Society absolutely FREE. These forms will be available when you collect your numbers or from the Programme Hostesses – they must be completed and handed back at the event. You will then be advised by email of the special benefits that will be open to you as a Bronze member. This is a money can't buy special offer.
Closed Australian DanceSport Championship Standard
We are delighted to showcase this special event as the “Opening Feature” on Saturday 1 December. Only Level 5 couples are eligible to enter. It is fabulous that we now have enough internationals competing in the Australian, which has since inception in 1945, been open to the World. And what a great year to reach that Milestone.
We also are proud to announce that the late Arthur McCabe will be honoured this year, with the introduction of the Arthur McCabe Memorial Trophy PLUS $1,000 SCHOLARSHIP. This is in addition to the prize money for this event. The Trophy is valued at over $2,000. Special thanks to our corporate partners, A Grade Maintenance for their genourisity.
Here's looking to the future of DanceSport......
(Erin Walsh, 20 September 2012)
We were recently contacted by Jarraed South, who at 9 years of age, is currently in his first year of DanceSport competition.
Jarraed is the grandson of Frank South, who won the first Australian DanceSport Championship in 1945.
Jarraed and his partner, Annie Huynh have won Juvenile Level 1 Standard event at Jupiters National DanceSport Championship, The Crown International Dance Festival and the Tots to Teens Grand Prix. They have also won the Juvenile Level 1 New Vogue at the National Capital DanceSport Championship, Southern Cross DanceSport Championship and Tots to Teens Grand Prix. All of which is a fantastic achievement in only their first year of competition!!
Clearly the DanceSport genes run in the family!!
Jarraed and Annie train at Essendon Danse Academy, which grandfather Frank started up in 1963, after winning a World Championship in the Exhibition Style and a 3rd placing in the Ballroom World Championships. Since 2001, Jarraed's father Richard, has taken over the reins at the Essendon Danse Academy. For more information on the Essendon Danse Academy, visit their website, www.edanse.com.au
Jarraed and Annie will both be at the 67th Australian DanceSport Championship, commencing Thursday 29th November, and both are very excited to be competing. We can't wait to see them dancing in the flesh and we wish them both the best of luck for the event!!!
IT and Australian Dancing Society
(Erin Walsh, 4 September 2012)
As most of you have hopefully seen by now...this year we revamped the Australian Dancing Society (ADS) website, and we have received some great feedback in relation to the site.
None of this feedback would have been possible without all the hard work and effort from the staff at Datacom Communications Pty Ltd.
Datacom Communications Pty Ltd have assisted the ADS with moving into the digital age, and the website is a one-stop shop for all things ADS, including state based news, results and pictures from events all over the country, as well as links to our major events websites, in particular the Australian DanceSport Championship. The team at Datacom Communications Pty Ltd. have also assisted with the launch of the online entry portal for the 67th Australian DanceSport Championship. This will be just the start, with more ADS events using the online entry portal in the not too distant future!!
Datacom Communications Pty Ltd was established in 1988. They specialise in communication products, but since 2001, have also expanded into the IT world. Be it for Email Hosting, Web Hosting & Design, URL & Email Forwarding, and Domain Registration, Datacom Communications Pty Ltd are bound to have the solution you need. If you would like more information on what they can offer, please visit their website www.datacom.net.au
As well as developing our websites, we have also jumped into the social media world, in Facebook and Twitter. We use these avenues as another way to keep in touch with all lovers of DanceSport, so make sure you 'like' or 'follow' us to stay up-to-date with all the happenings in the lead up to and during the 67th Australian DanceSport Championship & WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard, as well as all the state based ADS events! You will be able to find all the links below.
Facebook:
Australian Dancing Society - fb.com/australiandancingsociety
Australian DanceSport Championship - fb.com/australiandancesportchampionship
WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard Melbourne - fb.com/WDSFWorldStandard2012
Twitter:
Australian DanceSport Championship: @adsaustralian
WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard Melbourne - @WorldStandard12
ADS Continues to lead the way with Regional Victoria Development
(Tuesday 28 August)
The Sheppartion DanceSport Competition was opened by Wendy Lovell, and was attended by approx. 700 people.
$650 was raised through the raffle to assist local High School, Mooroopna Secondary College to travel to Canberra to participate in the Model United National Assembly.
The canteen during the event was run by the local Rotary Club who did a fantastic job.
Couples came from all over Australia with QLD, NSW, WA and SA well represented, along with the VIC metropolitan couples. Local couples originated from Wagga Wagga, Albury/Woldonga and Shepparton. The minimum stay for most travelling couples was 2 nights, which was a great boost for the local economy!
Coaching and Lectures were included in the programme with accredited coaches travelling from QLD and NSW.
Local Burn the Floor and Dancing with the Stars Celebraty Jeremy Garner was also involved in the Shepparton DanceSport Competition.
Some of the couples from Shepparton will be involved in the State Schools Spectacular on Saturday 8 September.
A full report of this event will be included with the Government final report.
Southern Cross DanceSport Championship
(Thursday 2 August)
Congratulations to all those that took part in the ADS Southern Cross on Saturday 28th July at the fabulous Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
'What a showcase' - this event is an ADS National Event set in the fabulous hotel setting of the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins, which recognises the long and outstanding history of the MTC Southern Cross Championship. In 2011, the management of this prestigious and historical event was taken on by ADS National, appointing event organisers Adam Blakey and Sue Porter. We congratulate Adam and Sue on their organising of the 2012 Southern Cross - another successful ADS event!
We congratulate all the champions in all grades and levels at the 2012 ADS Southern Cross:
Adult Open Events
- Open Standard - Brodie Barden & Lana Skrgic De Fonseka
- Open Latin - Julian Tocker & Annalisa Zoanetti
- Open New Vogue - Jarrod & Jayne Dawson
Professional Events
- Professional Standard - Jared Parnell & Ashley Payet
- Professional Latin - Joel Conroy & Abbey Ross
- Professional New Vogue - Jacob Grech & Zalie Merrett
It was great to see the honour dances by all the champions listed above - ADS as always featured all styles equally, with the honour dances by all champions in the Adult Open and Professional Events.
The Southern Cross also commenced the countdown to Australia's premiere 'Festival of Dance', the 67th Australian DanceSport Championship with a huge prize pool on offer which this year exceeds $50,000. In addition to the $10,000 scholarship awarded to Australia's World Representatives to compete in WDSF World Events in all relevant categories in 2013.
In 2012, the Adult Open New Vogue - Australia's own style, will be a feature event at the WDSF World Standard - Sunday 2nd December at Hisense Arena.
We look forward to presenting the Australian New Vogue Champions on the world stage!!
Southern Cross DanceSport Championship
(Thursday 26 July)
After two very successful Australian Dancing Society events, one in WA and the other in SA, I am delighted to report that the historic Southern Cross Championship, at the magnificent Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is almost a sell out. Very few seats are available but of course there is standing room!
The National Council of the Australian Dancing Society were concerned, that an important chapter in the history of the sport, would cease to operate. So in 2011, we approached our good friends at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins and they were very attracted to the proposal. It has been my delight to work with Adam Blakey and Susan Porter, as they embark on another dimension in the industry. Both of them had very successful competitive careers, and it is great to see them becoming involved on the management side of the sport.
Carmello and Jessica will open the Evening Finals, and we have some very top names competing.
The event, will also cater for the recreational side of the sport, with the Medallist dancers, will take place in the early part of the programme. The DanceSport element, with some of the world’s best dancers will take part. It will be the “kick off” for the count down to Melbourne’s next World championship event, the WDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard. This exciting Festival will run from the 26th November – 3 December, 2012 and include Australia’s only truly International event, the Australian DanceSport Championship.
We look forward to seeing you at the fabulous Southern Cross – at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins Saturday 28 July.
Well done ADS and well done Adam and Susan.
Margaret Lonsdale
CEO
Printbound
Official print partners for all WDSF World DanceSport Championship Events
The Australian Dancing Society has formed strong partnerships with many of our outside suppliers over many years. Some go right back to the late 70’s early 80’s – like Printbound, who do such a fantastic professional job of all our printed material including the souvenir programs. As well as delivering on the national needs of the company, they now do many of our State products.
This is a classic rags to riches story, and one worth telling of a print company that came together through the desire of two friends to make a go of it on their own, and with determination and perseverance, building one of Australia’s premier print companies.
Print Bound was started about two decades ago by Mauro Mattarucco and Mark Tomasini with second hand machines. It was from their first factory in West Melbourne at the back of Festival Hall, that we first began our association. The company has expanded beyond print into design and illustration, web and photography, warehousing and point of sale services. About seventeen years ago Mark Tomasini, began an overhaul of ALL Print Bound’s facilities and processes, turning the company into one of Australia’s first and foremost “green” printing companies with its own logo of “clean Green Print”. They have won the Premier’s Sustainability Award for Small Business’ and the City of Whitehorse Excellence for Sustainability.
Their journey has been much the same as the Australian Dancing Society, this year celebrating 70 years service to the dancesport industry at all levels.
From 2 men and a very small team, the Print Bound Group now boasts a staff of over 60 people. An offset production room of leading edge Heidelberg equipment which includes a 12 colour Speedmaster 102 perfecting press, with extensive Polar and Stahl finishing capabilities.
So if you have wondered why our printed material looks so totally professional, much credit should be given to the team at Printbound. Each year, when I approach Mauro to sponsor the printing for the Gala Dinner, the answer is always the same, no problems.
In a conversation recently with Mauro, when we called to congratulate them he reminded me that when our paths first crossed, the ADS too were quite small. So I guess with hard work and commitment and a loyal dedicated team nationally, we have built a great product that the whole sport can be proud of. The founder of ADS, the late Mickey Powell would certainly be proud if he were with us today.
Congratulations Mauro and Mark for a great job.
Watch the website for another story on another of our outstanding suppliers….
Margaret Lonsdale
