The Show Stole Our Hearts

Dancing With Our Stars returned to Mercure Ballarat in 2023 for another unforgettable evening of entertainment, community spirit and fundraising.

Over ten weeks, ten local Stars stepped outside their comfort zones, committing themselves to dance rehearsals, fundraising and personal growth, all in support of the Ballarat Foundation's programs and initiatives. Paired with experienced dancers from The Dance Studio, they took to the dance floor to perform in front of a packed audience, showcasing not only their newly learned ballroom routines but also the courage and commitment it took to get there. 

The atmosphere throughout the evening was one of joy and celebration. From energetic Latin routines to elegant ballroom performances, every dance brought something different to the stage. The audience laughed, applauded, cheered and even joined in for the group finale, proving once again that Dancing With Our Stars is about much more than competition. It's about bringing the Ballarat community together.

The 2023 Stars were:

• Chris Radford
• Crystal Patel
• Danielle Walker
• Grant Newell
• Lee Merrifield
• Melissa Decarli
• Rebecca Patton
• Sam Borner
• Stacey Berlund
• Tim Goode

This year's lineup reflected the wonderful diversity of the Ballarat community, with participants from a range of professional and community backgrounds, all united by a willingness to challenge themselves for a worthy cause.

Every performance told a different story. Chris Radford opened the night with an energetic Samba, Crystal Patel delighted the audience with a graceful Waltz, Grant Newell brought plenty of personality to the Tango, while Tim Goode and Melissa Decarli delivered elegant ballroom performances. After the interval, Lee Merrifield entertained with a lively Cha Cha, Stacey Berlund impressed with a Quickstep, Danielle Walker performed a beautiful Swing Waltz, Sam Borner's emotional Rumba captivated the audience and Rebecca Patton closed the competition with a vibrant Jive. 

The evening concluded with all ten Stars returning to the dance floor for a spirited performance of the Time Warp, with many audience members joining in from their seats. It was a fitting finale to a night filled with laughter, celebration and community spirit. 

Congratulations to Grant Newell, who received the Judges' Choice Award, Tim Goode, who won the People's Choice Award, and Lee Merrifield, who was crowned the overall Dancing With Our Stars Champion after raising the most funds throughout the campaign. 

Together, the Stars, sponsors, volunteers and supporters raised an incredible $185,000 to support the Ballarat Foundation's community programs, including the TAC L2P Driver Mentor Program, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library and Volunteering Ballarat. 

The Ballarat Foundation extends its sincere thanks to Shelley Ross, The Dance Studio, our experienced dancers, generous sponsors, dedicated volunteers and every member of the audience who helped make the evening such a success. Most importantly, thank you to our ten Stars, whose generosity, determination and willingness to embrace the experience made Dancing With Our Stars 2023 another memorable chapter in the event's history.