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]