The Directors and Members mourn the passing of Myra Powell, wife of the founder of the Australian Dancing Society, Mickey Powell, on the afternoon of Tuesday 27 September, 2011.

Myra was approaching her 97th birthday. She is at peace after a long illness. Sympathy to her children Pamela, Michael, Alan and Max and their families.

May she rest in peace.

Sofitel Melbourne on Collins – the “rebirth” of the Southern Cross in its new home “Sofitel Melbourne on Collins”, will commence tomorrow Friday 29 July with media interviews with Australia’s top international couples. The Ballroom will be set up to take on the “look” that will capture some of the yesteryear glamour of the 50’s and the exciting world that is dancesport in readiness for the first beat of music on Saturday 30 July.

The event will commence with those new to the sport of dance, the medallist events, and we will work through the programme with the standard and skill level of the athletes increasing as we move through to the evening.

An exciting opening from the Victoria College of the Arts and the wonderful voice of Kelli Brogan.

If you haven’t purchased your seating, we will not be advance selling any further tickets you will have to pay at point of entry.

Schedule
Doors Open at 8.30 am. with the first event scheduled to take the floor at 9.30 am with time allowed in the programme for you to warm up on the dance floor.

The afternoon programme is planned to conclude around 5.30 p.m. for a meal break. You might like to try No. 35 at the Sofitel. This will enable the ballroom to be cleaned and rehearsals to take place.

The evening programme will commence sharply at 7.00 p.m. You will not want to miss a minute.

Lots of public dancing, you can wander out and have a wine in Sofies and their will be cash bars operating in the Ballroom.

Did you know that the Opening night party for Love Never Dies was in the very ballroom that we will be in. The Grand Ballroom, Sofitel Melbourne on Collins is where you will want to be on Saturday 30 July – why not make it your Saturday night out.

The Australian Dancing Society is delighted to report that we have had an outstanding result to the rebirth of the Southern Cross DanceSport Championship in the Grand Ballroom at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins. The Management team has been working hard to ensure this is a special event not to be missed.

The entries of a very high standard and Australia’s top couples are competing in both the Open Standard and the Open Latin. This will be a great opportunity for us to promote and encourage Australia’s representative in the WDSF Asian Pacific Standard and Latin and WDSF World DanceSport Championships in Standard and Latin 2011. To see some of Australia’s leading international dancesport athletes it is a night not to be missed – Antonio Micheli and Katrina Miximova, Michael Glickman and Milana Deitch, and Arkady Bakenov and Rosa Filippello will challenge in their respective events for this coveted title.

Front row seating is now SOLD OUT.

Special Release – floorside seating with catering $125.00 per seat. This seating is very limited so contact Adam Blakey on blakeyparnell@dodo.com.au or give the ADS office a call 3 9926 1395 – THEY WILL NOT LAST LONG SO ACT NOW.

We take this opportunity to thank the Principal Sponsor Sofitel Melbourne on Collins – if you want to stay the night give them a call on 03 9653 0000 reference number SOU290711 – the home for dancesport patrons and athletes Sofitel 5 star luxury.

Congratulations to the WA Branch of the Australian Dancing Society on the success of its application to DSA to upgrade the ADS WA“Night of Stars” to National Championship status. This is a wonderful way to celebrate 25year since the establishment of the Australian Dancing Society in WA and the Night of Stars as their “showcase” event. Another outstanding result of Australia’s premier organisation.

Why not plan a trip to WA in 2012.

Teacher/ Pupil Event ADDED

Standard - W, T, F, Q
New Vogue - SW, BB, TT, Car
Prize Money 1st $350, 2nd $250, 3rd $150

Medalist Best Boy & Best Girl All Age Groups ADDED

Adult Medalist
Standard -Tango & Foxtrot
Latin - Rumba & Jive
New Vogue - Car, LaB

Junior Medalist
Standard -Waltz & Quickstep
Latin - Samba & Cha Cha
New Vogue - GT, Tangoette

Juv Medalist
Standard - Waltz & Quickstep
Latin - Samba & Cha Cha
New Vogue - E3S, Charmaine

Masters Medalist
Standard - Waltz & Foxtrot
Latin - Rumba & Cha Cha
New Vogue - Barclay Blues & TT

Junior & Juv Couples Level 2 May dance Open

Entries are still being taken.

The Directors and Members of the Society extend their sincere sympathy to Joyce and the family of Les Bielby. Les passed away suddenly during the course of an operation on his back. Les was well recognised and acknowledged as one of the leading coaches in Australia in Standard. He had an input to many of the top standard dances that are now leading coaches and Adjudicators.

He was a regular adjudicator at the Australian DanceSport Championship and a valued member of the Australian Dancing Society. His loss will be sorely missed in the dance scene certainly in Australia.

If you wish to pay your respects, the details of his farewell and the celebration of his life and achievements is as follows:

Thursday 14th July at 2.00 p.m. - Senior Citizens Centre, Gerrard Street, Coolangatta Queensland. (This is the venue where Les taught right up until his admittance to hospital)

The function following will take place at the Kirra Surf Club – this was his surf club and he had been a member there from a young age.

May he rest in peace.

2011's Moomba parade is recognizing the excellence of Australia's past World Championship Events and previous Australian DanceSport Championships. The Moomba Festival has invited the Australian Dancing Society to include their DanceSport professionals as one of the performing components in the parade. The dancers will be highlighting the up and coming events of 2011, the IDSF Asian Pacific DanceSport Championship Standard & Latin and the 66th Australian DanceSport Championship.

A special thanks goes out to the team of organizer’s at the Australian Dancing Society and all the dancers involved. It is wonderful that they have donated their time to promoting DanceSport within the Melbourne community.

Wednesday 1st December, 2010 12.30pm – 1.30pm Little Collins Street (closest to Swanston Street)

Put on your dancing shoes and come down to Little Collins Street at lunchtime for Samba in the City!

Samba in the City will showcase the athleticism, energy and colour of the upcoming 64thAustralian DanceSport Championship which will be held at Hisense Arena from 10-12 December, 2010.

Hosted by Mark Wilson from Dancing with the Stars, Samba in the City will feature dancing demonstrations by event ambassadors, Australian and IDSF International Open Latin Champions Mirko Sciolan and Nuria Santalucia and other competing couples.

Get your friends and colleagues together and come along and try the samba, tango and cha cha as Little Collins Street comes alive at lunchtime!

As previously advised, the Company Annual General Meeting, will take place in accordance with the Constitution on Friday, 17 September at 1300 eastern standard time at Headquarters, Sports House Albert Road, South Melbourne.

We have received nominations from the following people, all of whom meet the criteria for eligibility. Their nominations were received in accordance with the company notice.

Maxwell Baker, Marinus de Roo, Jeff Elworthy, Melinda Hayes, Ross Heidke, Tony Hulme, Eamon McGrath, Tania McGuiness, Gary Soderland, Geoff Stubbs, Barry Wall and Madeleine Zoanetti

Those members who have lodged a proxy will be forwarded via email a resume of the nominee so that they can instruct their proxy accordingly.

Final membership numbers are still not determined due to late renewals. Directors will be allocated as per the membership per state at close of business EST tomorrow 16 September, 2010

Retiring Director, Wayne Douglas, is not seeking re-election, and we take this opportunity to thank him for his efforts during his time of office.

Margaret Lonsdale
Chief Executive Officer

Special offer – This offer is open to any State or Private School in the education system. The Australian Dancing Society has a long history of commitment to exposing the sport of dance to the general public in varies ways. Regional programmes, recreational programmes and a very comprehensive medal system.

This is a great end of year activity – so why not act now!

Download flyer

Members are encouraged to attend the 2010 AGM of the Australian Dancing Society, to be held on Friday 17 September, 2010 at Sports house at 1.00pm.

A tour of the facilities at the World Class Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre will be available also.

To book your place, please contact tamara@australiandancingsociety.com.au

This year’s ADS Australian & NSW Theatrical Championship on Sunday 8th August were an outstanding success with over 960 entries received in the various categories and age groups.

The event has seen continued grown over the past 26 years since it originated as the NSW Theatrical Championship. In 2007 the event was expanded and upgraded to include the Australian Championship title and this has seen the Championship grow in status and size to become a must attend event on the theatrical calendar.

In 2010 the event was staged in the main Arena of the State Sports Centre, Homebush, Sydney. Commencing at 9am with the Solo, Duo and Trio events for the younger children before moving onto the Troupe events and then back to Solo, Duo and Trio for the older competitors. A format that has proven to be successful and popular with all that attend.

This year the introduction of the Hip Hop solo events proved to be a very popular addition to the program with over 190 contestants competing in the various age sections. Troupe sections allowed for categories in specified age and average age sections ensuring no studio would be disadvantaged by age restrictions.

For the first time at a theatrical event in Australia the palm pad adjudicating system was used, this is a truly amazing system whereby the adjudicators mark their placings on specially programmed palm pads rather than writing their marks down, once the adjudicator has finished judging the event their marks are instantly transmitted to the scrutineers computer and the results are available immediately.

This proved to be a much appreciated aspect of the day as at the completion of each final the competitors remained on the floor and they receive their placings and prizes instantaneously affording the parents the opportunity to take those valued photos to memorialise the occasion.

The Australian Dancing Society continues to introduce new innovations into the streamlining and production of a top-class professional event. They were the first to introduce the computerised scrutineer system to the theatrical branch, and the format of the program has proven to be very popular particularly in the Solo, Duo and Trio events.

During the day there were some outstanding performances from the dancers, what a fabulous depth of talent we have in Australia in our theatrical genre.

Next year the event has been scheduled for Sunday 14th August and be conducted in the two halls at the Sports Arena which will enable us to expand the program to include some additional events and age categories and ensure the day runs smoother for everyone.

If you have not attended these championships before mark the date down in your diary now and come along for a great, ‘feel good’, action day of dancing.

Results from this year together with some photos of our grand finalists can be found on this website.

All enquiries should be directed to the ADS NSW Secretary, Shirley Wall 09 9688 3400 or 0410 572 234

Membership
If you join the ADS between 1 July & 31 March of any year, you will be sent a renewal the next June. Eg Membership is paid 1 February 2011, your next membership renewal will be sent in June 2011.

If you join the ADS between 1 April & 30 June of any year, you will receive “Complimentary” membership and not be sent a renewal until June in the following year. Eg Membership is paid on 1 April 2010, your next membership renewal will be sent in June 2011.

Member by Examination
If a member does a dual examination they are entitled to an ADS membership without paying the membership fee.

If you complete your examination between July and March, your membership renewal will be sent out in June. However, if you complete your examination in the months of April, May & June, you will not be sent a renewal until the June in the following year. Eg Examination is completed in April 2010, your membership will not be sent out until June 2011.

Please click on the links below for all the information regarding the Annual General Meeting. If you have not received this information by mail by 25 August, please send your current contact details to tamara@australiandancingsociety.com.au

Agenda Letter
Proxy Form

Tickets are now on sale for this year’s Championship - Visit www.ticketek.com.au Or call 13 28 49

National

Australian Dancing Society Friday 17 September 2010

State Branches

Victoria Sunday 1 August

Western Australia Sunday 8 August

Queensland Sunday 8 August

New South Wales Saturday 14 August

South Australia Sunday 22 August

Contact your State Secretary for details.

A reminder to all members that the financial year of the Australian Dancing Society Ltd. concludes on the 30 June. You will have now received your invoice from Finance which offers you the opportunity to pay early and save $5 on your annual membership. Most members are now preferring to pay by B pay, it is a very effective method of making sure your membership membership doesn't lapse. This is particularly important if you have accreditation with the ADS. In accordance with the constitution, if you do not retain your membership with ADS your qualification is nul and void. This means that the examination that you worked so hard to achieve no longer applies.

The partnership that was successfully established with DanceSport Australia continues. We are again delighted to be a major stakeholder with the Government of Victoria and DanceSport Australia with the staging of the 2012 IDSF World Championship Standard. The same successful formula that was adopted in 2004 and 2008 will be maintained. It is important that you make regular visits to the new website www.worldstandard2012.com.au. As we move forward and the Management Team is put in place. The first point to make note of is that the World Championship will be conducted on Sunday 2 December, 2012 (this is a change from the normal second weekend in December). So plan early. A bid was staged in Barcelona in January, 2010 by Victorian Major Events Company. Kelly Dickson headed the team. It was my privilege to work with Kelly and Kari and the team at VMEC and to assist in a successful outcome for Australia. All those in the dancesport family benefit from the significant support we have received from the Government of Victoria since 2002. The economic impact study conducted in 2000 at the Australian DanceSport Championship organized by the Australian Dancing Society was the anchor to secure ongoing development.

Also at an international level, the Australian Dancing Society on behalf of DanceSport Australia will organize the IDSF Asian Pacific Championship Standard and Latin in 2011. You need to watch the Australian Championship websites for updates on this event. The programme is already established and can be printed from the net.

The ADS is now located at Sports House.......What a great facility and window for the sport of dance. We are housed with most other Olympic and major non Olympic sports with first class facilities. Keep your eye on the Australian Dancing Society for packages that we are currently developing with the Wellness Centre at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

New telephone number - +61 3 9926 1395 - the office is generally manned Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. New staff members - Personal Assistant to the CEO Tamara Grybas and Michele Prince who started with us towards the end of last year. Both these girls are highly qualified and can help you with any questions you may have.

Margaret Lonsdale
CEO

This year we have introduced a new service regarding ticket sales for the 2010 Australian Dancesport Championship.

People are able to register interest in purchasing tickets by joining our priority waitlist. This provides people with the opportunity to be one of the first to receive any updates on the event including when tickets will be on sale.

To join the waitlist, click on the following link: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/show.aspx?sh=DANCEWAIT

It is anticipaed tickets will be on sale towards the end of July.

Are you over 18 years of age and currently competing at or above Level 3 in DanceSport in Australia?If so, WE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM YOU!

As part of a Masters research project at Victoria University, we are looking for male and female participants who are willing to take 30-45 minutes of their time to complete a short online survey about DanceSport competitors’ attitudes and behaviours regarding body image, eating patterns and weight management.

This research is the first of its kind to look specifically at DanceSport competitors as a population in their own right and distinct from dancers in other disciplines. With DanceSport growing in popularity and public exposure every year, research such as this is very important in order to build a better understanding of Dancesport competitors as dancers, athletes and most importantly people!If you wish to assist us with this project and for more information on what is involved, please click on the link below.

Follow this link to the Survey: http://vuaehd.qualtrics.com/SE?SID=SV_cMkrHuVbkHZquFK&SVID=

[Brochure is available here].

For more information please contact Natalie Kyan on 0406265125 or via email Natalie.Kyan@live.vu.edu.au

Thank you for your time and assistance with this valuable and exciting research project!

Australia were invited to make a presentation to members of the Asian DanceSport Federation and the IDSF Forum on the Saturday June 12th in Vienna .

Craig Wilson , President of DanceSport Australia and Margaret Lonsdale did a joint presentation to both forums.

Collateral was distributed with strong interest for both the 2011 IDSF Asian Pacific DanceSport Championship Standard and Latin American. This will be organised by the Australian Dancing Society on bbehalf of DanceSport family . The dates, 7th to 11th December 2011.Details are on both the DSA website and ADS websites.

The 2012 IDSF World DanceSport Championship Standard on the 2nd December 2012 .The event will offer a EURO 10,000 prize pool. The event will be conducted as a week long festival and will include the Astralian DanceSport Championship and IDSF International Events.

Visit the website www.worldstandard2012.com.au.

At the conclusion of the presentation the IDSF President Carlos Freitag congratulated Australia for a very professional and well prepared presentation.

www.megsmorrison.com - This series of books is the story about Edward 'Megs' Morrison, tracking our young star's progress as he moves from England to Sydney with his Mum and Dad and struggles to settle into his new home - that is, until football comes along to save the day.

All the 'Megs' books use the world game of football to address some significant issues (dedication, overcoming obstacles, racism, bullying, tackling adversity), and of course, have plenty of footballing fun.

They aren't just books about football, and they're sure to get kids excited about reading.
The books are aimed at boys and girls between the ages of 7 - 13, however plenty of kids (and plenty of adults!) outside that bracket have enjoyed Megs so far.

The Australian Dancing Society will be moving to their new headquarters at Sports House, part of the MSAC complex on Albert ROad, Albert Park from Wednesday May 12- through to Tuesday May 18.

Email access will be available until COB Thursday 13 May - if your enquiry is urgent, in the interimplease contact eamon@australiandancingsociety.com.au.

This is another exciting chapter in the develpoment of the Australian Dancing Scoiety - watch this space for the benefits to dancesport. Welook forward to continuing to work in partnership with all stake holders in the ongoing drive to lift the profile of the sport to the general public.

The ADS will be moving headquarters to Sports House, a multi sporting facility in Albert Road, South Melbourne mid May. We will not be able to take any of the existing office furniture with us, because of the uniformed structure with the furnishings at Sport House.

So if you are interested in desks, chairs, or filing cabinets please contact Tamara on 9510 7770 or email info@australiandancingsociety.com.au we will accept the best offer submitted…the purchaser will be responsible for picking up the furniture before the end of May.

We have available 1 surround desk with matching stationery cupboard, small desk to match. A large brown Executive Desk. 2 glass topped desks with black wrought iron frame. Two filing cabinets available just for the price of taking them away.

More news on the office move.....watch this space

Further to a notification that appeared on the New Zealand Dance and DanceSport Council website. Athletes competing in either the GRADES or OPEN category of competition at the Australian DanceSport Championship in Melbourne in December or any other Australian Dancing Society events, will, after 1 July 2010 require registration with DanceSport New Zealand (DSNZ) as the IDSF Member Body in New Zealand.

Competitors in the Professional category will be accepted with the NZ Dance and DanceSport Council registration.

We believe the information on the Council website to be misleading for the following reasons:

1. The Australian Championship is open to the World. In other words competitors from any county can compete in any grade and do so.

2. The ADS are committed to working cooperatively with DanceSport Australia (DSA). As such we must in all events not just “ISDF International” events ensure that any athlete is registered with the member body of the IDSF in their county.

DSNZ have moved ahead with their athletes registration system as of 1 July 2010.

Any further questions should be directed to the Chief Executive Officer of the ADS at info@australiandancingsociety.com.au.

It is with regret that we advise the membership and the dancing fraternity, that just after 2pm on Thursday 11.3.2010, Keith Collins suffered a heart attack and passed away at the Heidleberg Repatriation hospital where he has been for some time following a massive stroke about 18 months ago.

Many of you would have seen Keith Collins in his wheelchair in December 2009 at the Australian DanceSport Championship on Sunday. Some of the younger generation would not know of Keith Collins and his wife and partner the late Joan Collins, but their career in modern ballroom was what some can only dream of achieving.,

Keith has battled from some time now and his dear friend friend Julie, from Singapore has moved heaven and earth to prolong his life. His students in Singapore and his friends took up a collection to ensure Keith could fly home and receive the best treatment possible.

Those of us that spent time with him in December and at his 85th birthday party at the Flower Drum in January, 2010 know that he would not want to live without being able to dance and communicate with the world around him. His dear friends of many years, Dianne Schwab, who was a pupil at the Keith Collins Dance Club in Heidleberg with her former husband Ross, Glenyis South and Julie Shen from Singapore were by his side, so many memories of a wonderful gentleman, who gave so much and had so much to give. .

The membership and industry will be advised of the funeral arrangements.

Margaret Lonsdale
CEO

Information on the Pacific Rim Gymnastics Championship cna be found here:

http://gymnastics.org.au/default.asp?MenuID=Event-Results/20036/0,2010_Pacific_Rim/c20800/12471

For information on booking:

Group Booking Form

Club Flyer

NOTICE MEETING

Please be advised that the Annual General Meeting of the Australian Dancing Society Ltd. will be conducted on Saturday 19 September, 2009 at 9.00 am at the Hotel Ibis in Therry Street, Melbourne.

In accordance with the Constitution all current Director’s will resign prior to the commencement of the meeting.

All Executive Members of the ADS are eligible to stand for election in accordance with the numbers allocated to a State as defined in the Constitution.

Paperwork has been forwarded to all States and should be obtained from the State Secretary.

If  a member wishes to lodge a proxy vote, you should copy and submit the form that forms part of theConstitution.

Margaret Lonsdale

Chief Executive Officer.

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THANK YOU

The Director’s of the Australian Dancing Society express thanks to Shirley Wall (NSW) and Ray Simmons (WA) 

Neither Shirley or Ray will be seeking re-election at the upcoming AGM. 

Both Shirley and Ray have given great service to their State and to the National office for many years.

Watch this space for details of their service, it may encourage more members to put their hands up to assist their branch and the Australian Dancing Society to deliver a quality service to the sport of dance.

Congratulations to long time members of the Australian Dancing Society, Jeff and Elizabeth Elworthy of Queensland. They are both very well known for the commitment and dedication not only to the ADS but to dancesport generally. They will celebrate their 4oth wedding anniversary in May/June touring Alaska, just wonderful for them. Congratulations and enjoy great effort!

Publicist to the Australian DanceSport Championship and the IDSF World Latin Championship, Larissa Cavanagh of Cavanagh Public Relations, is celebrating the arrival of her first child with husband James…Emma May came into the world last Tuesday evening 5 May weighing a healthy 7lb 5, with 2 top National level basketballers as parents, I have a feeling that Emma will be donning the sneakers and not the dancing shoes, who knows! Congratulations to the family and to the proud grandma Julie Cavanagh who is just over the moon.

From Western Australian, Director Ray Simmons and his lovely wife Dallas who has been a former Director and President of the Australian Dancing Society, congratulations on your hard work and a milestone in WA with the 40th anniversary of the Simmons Dance Studio at a function in the ballroom at Government House in Perth on the 16th May. We will have an update on this from the CEO Margaret Lonsdale and her husband Stewart, who will make the trip across to Perth to celebrate with Ray and Dallas.

Best wishes to Anika Cross, Anika has left the office of the Australian Dancing Society and World Latin Championship on the 8 May, to take up a position at the Hawthorn Football Club as the Events Co-Ordinator. Anika, has been the very bright voice at the end of the phone and did a magnificent job last year in December.

National AGM

The Company Annual General Meeting of the Australian Dancing Society Ltd will be held on Friday, 19 September 2008 commencing at 10.00 am at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins (Tower Suites, Level 35).

If you wish to attend please contact Anika in the office on 03 9510 7770 or email anika@australiandancingsociety.com.au.

This is a MUST ATTEND event in order to find out the latest news on the redevelopment of the ADS Constitution.

REMEMBER you must be a financial member to vote. If you have not paid your membership by September you risk losing your voting rights and ADS qualifications.

Make sure you visit the contact page to find out who the new committees are in each state.

Our hats go off to all involved with the organisation of the official regional event for the Tattersall’s IDSF World Latin Championship - the 2008 ADS Shepparton DanceSport Competition.

Saturday 30 August was a success for Shepp with dance lovers attending the annual regional event which included a floor show performance through the eras of dance, by Sebastian Costa and Amanda Garner.

A highlight was the dance display from the children of Grahamvale Primary School, winners of the School Teams Challenge. These children will be transported to Melbourne to take part in the Dance Easy Junior Development Day and be a feature performance at the Official Media Launch.

Promotion of the upcoming IDSF World Latin Championship was displayed on a big screen in the foyer, generating a sense of excitement. Event literature was also distributed at an information table through the event.

The Australian Dancing Society has an established reputation of helping others – Shepparton was no exception. A special effort was put in by the East Shepparton Rotary Club who ran the canteen and conducted a gold coin bucket drop with a generous amount of funds raised.

All revenue will go towards the establishment of the Midnight Basketball Program, an initiative to help teach youths life skills to get on the right track.

Congratulations to the organisers for a great job!

The selection of Australia’s No1 IDSF World Ten Dance representative couple will occur at the upcoming South Pacific Championship organised by the FATD.

The South Pacific will be held on the 4 & 5 October, 2008. Email fatd@fatd.com.au for further details.

You can now download a Snapshot of the outcomes from the February 2008 ADS National Directors meeting.

[February 2008]

Congratulations to Debbie Todd on being awarded Life Membership. Debbie has devoted many years to the Australian Dancing Society and is a very valued member of both the ADS and World Latin Championship teams.

I would like to thank Debbie personally for her outstanding service to the development of dancesport, as well as her personal support to me.

Debbie’s contribution was further recognised by being awarded the 2007 Gold Brolga Award, along with her husband Peter, at the “Night to Remember” gala dinner held as part of the Australian Championship. The award recognises those who have made significant contributions to the development of dancesport, and Peter and Debbie epitomise this definition with their devotion to the sport.

The 2007 Australian DanceSport Championship was a huge success, with increased competitors and record crowds.

“A Night to Remember” gala dinner was well attended and I am proud to announce that together we raised $20,000 to go towards the re-development of the Alfred Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Tickets for both the Australian and World Latin Championships are selling very fast. If you haven’t done so already contact Ticketek on 13 28 49.

The programme has been finalised and will be up on the website shortly. So please visit www.worldlatin2008.com.au and www.theaustralianchampionship.com.au for all the latest news on the 2008 Festival of Dance.

Rest assured this will be an exciting event, not to be missed!

Margaret Lonsdale
Chief Executive Officer - ADS

Please note that Debbie Todd the Chief Financial Officer has a new mailing address:

PO Box 2031 Tarrawanna NSW 2518

You can now download a Snapshot of the outcomes from the October 2007 ADS National Directors meeting.

[October 2007]

From the desk of ADS National Director, Malcolm Batty

Sunday morning, April 22, 2007

The day after the ADS Victorian Championship – and what a great event it was. Congratulations to Mark Wilson and his production team - another fantastic showcase for our society and the sport.

Still pumped with the excitement of a successful event, I had a strong coffee, got my act together, put the suit back on and drove to meet the ADS Chief Executive Officer Margaret Lonsdale at the Tattersall’s IDSF World Latin Championship office.

For those who have not ventured into these headquarters, the first occasion is a little daunting. The office is situated in the old Nurses Home (heritage listed building) part of the Alfred Hospital complex on Commercial Road, Prahran. This building now houses on the ground floor the Nursing Archives, with Margaret’s office on the first floor.

After meeting with Margaret we then walked a short distance up the road to the new Alfred Centre – and it was here that our journey halted. We had been invited to attend the official opening of this brand new $90 million facility.

The Alfred Centre has been designed specifically for elective surgery and research. This now means that patients waiting for surgery are no longer sidelined or cancelled because the beds are required by patients in the Accident and Trauma Centre, housed in the old main building. I’m not sure that all our members are aware that for the last three years the ADS have held “A Night to Remember” black tie event on the Thursday night prior to the Australian Championship.

It is not just an informal get together before the competition, but a night of great entertainment dancing and fundraising. It also attracts support from the corporate world. Over $80,000 has now been presented to the Alfred Foundation. I don’t know any other dance organisations that lend their support to assists the welfare of the community at large.

When we entered the imposing front entrance of the Centre I was taken by surprise. There on the huge glass panels in the foyer – thanking the major beneficiaries for their support, right at the top – jumping out at you reads “Australian Dancing Society / Margaret Lonsdale”

How proud and yet so humble I felt to be in some way a small part of this fantastic new complex, that our society is represented here assisting the changing face of Victorian healthcare – it is one that we can all be proud of.

Many speeches and thankyous, the unveiling of plaques and later a guided tour of the state of the art facilities (some of the equipment the only if its kind in the Southern Hemisphere) left me feeling quite over awed. I think that sometimes many of us could do with a reality check and visit a centre such as this and realise that perhaps our little dancing dilemmas are not all that important and may just fade into insignificance.

The event was hosted by Tony Charlton (former Chairman of the Alfred Foundation) and it was again reinforced to me what a consummate professional this man is. His attention to detail and obvious research into his topic and into each person he introduced, his ability to single out members of the audience, is all done without fanfare but presented with such clarity straight from the heart. A moving experience. Tony is also a life member of the Australian Dancing Society. He chairs the organising committee of the IDSF World Latin Championship 2008 and he was the host of the Australian DanceSport Championship for about 18 years. Quite a human being!

After coffee, hors d’oevres and a chat with several dignitaries, we returned to the outside world – myself feeling a little drained and emotionally exhausted, yet proud to be a part of this in some small way.

Thanks go to all the supporters of “A Night to Remember” and if you haven’t booked your table for this year- do so now! Your funds are being well spent on a worthy cause.

Malcolm Batty
Board of Directors ADS
(Acting President 2004 – 2005 at the time of the inaugural Night to Remember)

A recent article about Margaret Lonsdale, written for the Alfred Hospital

'Margaret’s Dance with The Alfred'

Not many people may be aware of the little bit of glitz and glamour that Margaret Lonsdale and the Australian Dancing Society bring to The Alfred.

As Chief Executive of the Australian Dancing Society (ADS) and the Tattersall’s Australian DanceSport Championship, Margaret and her team are based in The Alfred Annexe, which is also home to the hospital’s archives.

“I have been in the Annexe since 2002 and I feel part of The Alfred. I love the building and I love the history within these walls.”

However, Margaret’s relationship with The Alfred is much more than just being based in The Annexe. She has organised events which have raised over $80k for the hospital in the last three years, including the A Night to Remember dinners held annually on the eve of the Australian DanceSport Championship.

Last year the fundraising dinner at Hotel Sofitel raised $25k for the Intensive Care Unit, and the 400 guests were treated to a highlight performance by the World and British Professional Champions, Victor and Hanna.

“It was a coup to get Victor & Hanna to appear. They can command an enormous fee for their appearances, but once they heard it was for a good cause they immediately donated their services for the evening.”

Margaret attributes her desire to support The Alfred to both her community focused upbringing and to an inspirational role model – Tony Charlton – who has a long association with the Championship and is also one of the hospital’s most public advocates.

“I feel like I’ve adopted The Alfred through my close relationship with Tony, who has been my mentor and inspiration. I’ve learnt so much from him. He has an amazing energy and selflessness”.

Supporting The Alfred is also a way for Margaret and the ADS to educate the dance community to give something back and make a difference for others in the community.

“I think a lot of people don’t realise what they can gain from giving back. It is a privilege to help others and it is something passed down from my parents. I hope I have passed it on to my children.”

After an impressive 35 years in successfully building the profile of dancesport, one of the highlights for Margaret is being able to win key international events for Melbourne, including the IDSF World Ten Dance Championship in 2004 and the forthcoming International DanceSport Federation World Latin Championship in 2008.

Being Director of the prestigious World Latin Championship in 2008 is no mean feat with an expectation of 65 countries, a broadcast to over 120 million homes, and an expected economic benefit of $20 million for Victoria.

Just as the Alfred is privileged to have the generous support of someone of Margaret’s calibre, the feeling is mutual for Margaret.

“The Alfred has taken care of my friends over the years, and I hope my association with the hospital continues after I finish up my work here with the ADS.”

This year’s A Night to Remember is on Thursday 6 December at Hotel Sofitel, with the Tattersall’s Australian DanceSport Championship following at Vodafone Arena until 9 December.
If you would like to support the Alfred Foundation we are taking ‘early bird’ bookings now. Tables of 10 all inclusive with entertainment $160.00 pp Contact the office by email at theaustralian@iprimus.com.au, by telephone on 9510 7770, or ring the foundation.

Australian Dancing Society - Benefits of Membership

Have you thought about the benefits of being a member of Australia’s number one society? Let us share the benefits with you and how your support assists the development of the dancesport industry.

Let us start with a little of our history. The Society was founded in 1942 by the late Mickey Powell.

Historically it has been at the forefront, a leader in the industry.

We provide services that enhance your business and participants in dancesport and theatrical at all levels.

Your membership assists us to develop the following products:

The ADS is a national organisation. It is a not-for-profit company and is limited by guarantee.

The Executive Committee Directors do not receive payment for their time, which is significant. It has two part time contractors (CFO and CEO) who are responsible for the day-to-day management of the company.

Benefits

These are just some of the benefits we provide to the industry.

This document can also be downloaded [here]

Do you have an IDSF license?

Shawn Tay has advised of the upcoming congress in Singapore on 27th August, 2007 . Mr Peter Townsend (Latin) and Mr Marco Sietas (Standard) will be the lecturers.

He can be contacted on info@shawnandgladys.com.sg

[Application Form] [Information]