Dancing with our Stars took centre stage at the Mercure Hotel on Saturday 22nd June. The room was abuzz with excitement as the ten local celebrities took to the dance floor, each performing a different ballroom dance routine.
The evening was in the capable of hands of Tim Bone and Jules Zass as hosts, with an esteemed panel of judges including Peter Head, Bruce Roberts, and the legendary Paul Mercurio. Known for his role in Strictly Ballroom, Paul brought his expertise in dance, and a touch of star power to the judges' table.
The Stars have spent 12 weeks rehearsing and fundraising, all with the end goal of putting on a dazzling fundraising event for the Ballarat Foundation. Hailing from various walks of life from a blogger to a builder to a horse trainer, the Stars had been rehearsing their routines for weeks. Under the expert tuition of Shelley Ross at The Dance Studio, their dedication and enthusiasm shone through as they impressed the audience with their performances.
Charlie Begelhole, partnered by Ashlie Ross, dancing the Samba.
Lara Jean Marshall, partnered by Tim Johnson, dancing the Waltz.
Stephen Armati, partnered by Emma Learmonth, dancing the Quickstep.
Kelly Bevan, partnered by Mark Vanderkley, dancing the Viennese Waltz.
Erin Harris, partnered by Adrian Misseri, dancing the Cha Cha – People’s Choice Winner.
Paul McGourlay, partnered by Jess Rodda, dancing the Jive – Highest Fundraiser Winner.
Annie Alexander, partnered by Robert Powell, dancing the Foxtrot.
Mitch Dower, partnered by Alicia Sheludko, dancing the Rumba – Judge’s Choice Winner.
Judy-Ann Quilliam, partnered by Scott Bruhn, dancing the Tango.
Matt Ives, partnered by Vanessa Powell, dancing the Paso Doble.
The highlight of the night was the announcement of the total funds raised with over $211,000 for the Ballarat Foundation. This incredible achievement is evidence of the hard work each of the Stars put into their fundraising, as well as the generosity of the Ballarat community. The funds will support the Ballarat Foundation’s various initiatives and programs, which aim to improve the lives of those in need within the local area.
We are incredibly thankful to the sponsors, the team at The Dance Studio and the dancers who volunteer their time, and everyone who helped with fundraising and made donations.
Dancing with Our Stars 2024 was a night to remember, filled with remarkable performances, heartfelt moments, and an overwhelming sense of community. The success of the event is a reminder of the incredible things that can be achieved when people come together for a common purpose. Here's to more nights of dancing, generosity, and making a difference!
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