Over the last five years more than $320,000 has been raised by the Hastings community for Cancer Council through the Stars of the Hastings dance events.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
At the 2019 launch on January 15, Katie Mead from the Cancer Council said they are hoping for another stellar fundraising year.
“This is the sixth annual Stars of the Hastings in Port Macquarie and this year, once again, we have some really exciting local personalities and dance schools involved,” Ms Mead said.
“Our dance stars are all buzzing and are excited to get started both learning their dance and fundraising.”
Stars and dancing partners for the 2019 Stars of the Hastings.
AJ Davis
I’ve lived in port Macquarie all my life. I love to play sports and currently play Roller Derby for Port Macquarie Roller Derby league. Family is the most important thing in my life and we have an awesome self-sustaining farm in Sancrox that I spend any spare time I have with my husband and four boys.
My family have been touched by cancer like most families and so when this opportunity came up, I decided it was a great way for me to be able to give back using the tools that I have in creating events and fundraisers! So why not give it a go!
Rommley Brady
I was born and raised in Port Macquarie and I started performing at the age of six. As well as teaching dancing at Movement Studios, I work in children’s entertainment performing as a party princess. When I’m not performing, I’m spending time with my daughter and partner.
Alfred Portenschlager
I am son to Austrian and Indonesian parents, but born in Hong Kong. I have called Australia home since 2006. Some may have seen me out in the community as I volunteer with the Port Macquarie State Emergency Service (SES) unit. Dedicating my time and giving back to those in need is simply in my DNA.
Dancing for the cause of a brighter future for cancer patients is my main motivation. Having had family members both suffer and pass from this sickness also adds a personal touch to do what I can to help a very worthy cause.
Evonne Asher
I started dancing when I was six years old. I did tap, jazz and modern expressive. In my time dancing, I've completed every tap exam grade and several jazz exams passing them all.
I've competed in Eisteddfods and performed in many different events including charity, nursing homes, shopping centers, talent quests, promotional events and musicals.
I started teaching and choreagraphing from the age of 11 for different dance schools. In 2012 an opportunity came up for me to start teaching with Extravadance studies and I have been there since teaching in all different genres.
Ian Ross
Teaching for longer than I care to remember, I have had teaching experience in Darwin, England and in NSW since 1992. I am currently the principal of Hastings Secondary College Westport Campus.
I asked my wife the other day as to whether cancer was on the increase. She is from a nursing background and she said that we probably know more about various cancers these days and that the disease is possibly easier to detected.
If my efforts in this project can support the medical research and have a flow on effect in reducing or eliminating the risk of cancer then it is time and effort well spent.
Galina Turker
I learnt to dance salsa and other Latin streetdance styles including chachacha, son, rueda, bachata, merengue and cumbia whilst living in London. Although I learnt to dance from the age of four, my passion for salsa started 20 years ago, and I decided to start teaching when I came to Australia in 2002.
Teaching dancing is my main occupation and I still attend professional workshops to extend and improve my dance skills and abilities.
I have performed to a high standard in various countries around the world including London UK, El Salvador, Spain, Bulgaria and Australia. I occasionally offer courses in Egyptian Raqs Sharqi (Soul Expression), having studied with Suraya Hilal in London for 15 years.
Kiel Bigeni
I’m 30 years old and have been a Port Macquarie local since I was three years old.
I have worked for my father since I was 16, have moved to Sydney and Melbourne for a short term try something new, however ended back in Port in 2014. I have worked for Men At Work ever since.
Recently I was picked to be in the top 40 to compete in Melbourne for Australian Ninja Warrior. Although I was not picked for this season and did not get a run due to time and weather, I was happy to make through that far. I love what I do and very grateful for the life I have today.
I’m excited to be involved in this event and to raise money to support Cancer Council’s research and helping people suffering with cancer.
Mandy Davidson
I am a local with a passion for health, fitness, wellbeing, charity and events.
In addition to being a personal trainer and group fitness and dance instructor for over 14 years, I am also a fourth year psychology student and a mother of two beautiful children. I run Zumba and Burlesque classes at Mandy Davidson Dance Fitness and Wellness as well as being a DJ and MC.
I have ties with the local women’s refuge and have been involved in Stars of the Hastings for a number of years. My newest venture is being a co-organiser of the Mid North Coast Division of Miss Teen Australia, a competition designed to promote confidence and encouragement to aspiring models and young girls.
Lach Falvey
I was born and raised in Port Macquarie and have recently returned home to Port to live. I’ve always loved sport and whilst at Macquarie Uni, I started swimming coaching.
Since then, I have coached Olympians, Paralympians and USA National Finalists and was an Australian Swim Team Coach at the 2015 IPC World Championships and the 2016 Rio Olympics. In 2017 I retired from coaching and have come home to become a lawyer.
I’m currently working at Falvey Kay Lawyers whilst I finish my law degree.
In September 2018, I lost my grandmother to cancer and so I’m keen to raise some much needed funds for this important cause. I’m definitely out of my comfort zone being involved in this event, but I’m excited to get started!
Janelle Catana
I am a local Port Macquarie girl who started dance at the age of five, then later completed a Diploma of Dance at the National Theatre Ballet School in Melbourne. I began my professional career in Australia at Conrad Jupiters Casino, Gold Coast in 'Zingara' in 07/08.
I then spent the next three years travelling the world working onboard Norwegian Cruise Lines on various ships for Miami based production company Jean Ann Ryan Productions. Following that I spent a year in Sydney as a showgirl on Sydney Showboat.
Since 2011 I have been based out of Munich and London working as a freelancer all over Europe on a weekly basis. Alongside my dance work, for the few years I managed artists and dancers for a new show concept in Munich’s most high-end performance venue 'Call Me Drella' and worked to provide concepts and direction for various clients as Artistic Direction for the Drella Company.
Natalie Junge
I am proud to be a mum to a beautiful nine-year-old boy, a business owner and active member of the community.
I am one of the organizers of the High Tea on Hastings – now in its 10th year raising over $70,000! I love travelling and have travelled overseas since I was 17. I now share my passion for travel with my best mate, my son Sam.
My Mum battled cancer for more than 40 years, breast cancer (twice), ovarian and bowel cancer and then finally in her lymph nodes.
Her strength, resilience and courage was beyond imaginable, to be so sick and still be there as a parent. Even in her final days she told us how proud she was of the adults we had become and encouraged us to continue to grow and learn and remain resilient.
I miss my mum everyday but know that her words will remain with me forever and she has shaped the person and the mother that I have become.
Amy Henson
I am the Principal of ExtravaDance Studios in Port Macquarie and Wauchope and a registered teacher with the Royal Academy of Dance, one of the largest and most influential dance education and training organisations in the world.
Beginning dancing at three years old, I studied RAD Classical Ballet, Jazz, Contemporary and Lyrical in Taree before moving to Newcastle to continue my full time dance studies. Unfortunately, injury cut my plans for a career in the professional world short.
My teaching career spans over 20 years and has enabled me to grow my school over the past 10 years to become one of the Hasting’s leading dance schools.
I pride myself on building self confidence in every student and making sure that all students feel valued and part of a team. Together with senior students Tegan and Makayla, I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Stars of the Hastings.
Richard Baker
Though I was born in England I spent my childhood in Taree, so country hospitality is in my blood.
This led me to my career in hospitality management and I’ve now been working in the vibrant industry for over 20 years. A happily married man, and father of three little girls I have always prided myself in helping others and believe that good deeds will bring good karma.
I am a strong believer that if you have the ability to help out in any way, you should. I am always willing to support a good cause (even if it means putting on my dancing shoes in front of the local community).
I’m really looking forward to participating in Stars of the Hastings so that I can expand on the charity work that we already do.
I am highly energetic and well-known in the community and look forward to having a bit of fun whilst raising money for such a great cause.
Makenzie Dobson
I first attempted dancing at the age of 11, admittedly I did not enjoy it, instead I preferred to be playing sports like soccer, so I took a year off before transferring to Extravadance Studios where I’ve remained for the past nine years.
By my second year I’d grown to love dancing as I participated in jazz and contemporary classes, the latter style being my favourite.
Due to my passion for dance I began entering solo’s in local eisteddfods alongside studying dance as a part of my HSC.
After graduating St Joseph’s Regional College with a band 5 for this subject I began teaching young girls at my dance studio, which is what has led to my eager participation in Stars of the Hastings.
Shelley Lang
I grew up in Port Macquarie, where I spent most of my time at the surfclub before moving to Wollongong for uni in 2007, where I studied Exercise Physiology.
In 2011, Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer and I moved home to help run his Personal Training business.
After this, I went back to work in exercise physiology and am now employed by Essential Energy as part of their health and wellbeing team where I look after employees that are suffering from both work-related and non work-related illness and injury.
I am very… very….. nervous to participate in something like this; however given that both my father and grandfather have battled prostate cancer and my uncle unfortunately passed away in 2015 after a battle with bowel cancer.
I understand the impact that the disease can have on not just the patient but the families and I am grateful to have the opportunity to give back and help those that are in need in any way I can.
Anika Smith
I have been dancing since 2002 and have danced a range of styles over that time.
I received a diploma in performing arts from Conroy Performing Arts Centre which propelled me into a number of opportunities including being a part of ‘Bindi and the Jungle Girls’ at Australia Zoo, shows at Jupiters Casino and also productions in Dubai and the USA.
Tim Joyce
As a Partner at Elders Real Estate, I have the privilege and responsibility of providing you with the service you deserve.
My career history allows me to understand Real Estate from many aspects: construction, finance, and everything in-between. Serving as an Army Reservist has taught me perseverance, respect, loyalty, and a sense of duty.
I was along-side mum through the diagnoses, treatment, remission and unfortunately the aggressive cancer relapse that took her life.
The whole time Cancer Council was by our side providing much needed support, options and information on what was going on and the available next steps.
I’ll never forget holding her hand as she passed, just as I’ll never forget her laughter filling the room while parading about in the wigs provided by Cancer Council.
Raising money for this cause is very personal for me as any dollar raised could be the one that provides the cure for this vicious disease.
Elouise Baker
I am originally from Kendall and received my dance training from Allstars dance studio and La Vive Classique Academy of Dance.
I then continued my dance Training in Melbourne at Jason Colemans Ministry of Dance graduating with a Diploma in dance and certificate 4 in teaching and management.
From there I studied with Lee Academy and soon after signed my first overseas contract performing in Shows across India and dancing in Bollywood movies.
Currently I am working as a barista and teaching my passion of dance to an awesome army of dancers at La Vive Studios.
I have also been a backup dancer for Justice Crew, Nickelodeon, Ministry of Entertainment, Glowshow Entertainment, ‘Nightmare on dance street’ stage show, an International Mercedes Benz model and I have worked with Siemens, My Room, Honda, Mazda, The Stylevibe and Red Herring Surf Co.
Vanessa Lawrence
I am a Port Macquarie local married to local builder, Scott Lawrence (Lawrence Built Homes) and together we have two teenage children.
We’ve recently renovated our dream home on Lighthouse Beach and I love spending time with family and friends. I currently own and operate The Style Vibe – a stylist company that helps men and women find confidence through guidance, support and education regarding all things fashion.
Unfortunately, like many I have been touched with the effects of cancer over the years, starting with my father in law of 20 years being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma 32 years ago.
It is something myself and his family have watched him bravely battle. My grandmother also had breast cancer and I have had multiple friends diagnosed, some who are going through cancer right now.
Kate Maggs
I am the Studio Director of Allstars Studio in Laurieton which has been operating in the Hastings for 15 years.
Allstars is known for its innovative and vivacious choreography and costuming. My training has helped groom many local dancers to gain work both at home and abroad in the Performing Arts Industry.
I have been performing all of my life and very much enjoyed being on the stage and screen, but my passion for the arts took a less individual road when I decided that pursuing choreography was where my true interest laid.
I am thrilled to be supporting Vanessa in her first ever dance performance with the 'Stars of the Hastings' and is hoping that an abundance of money is raised for this amazing cause. It will be a night of big smiles and amazing fun!
What else is making news?
While you're with us, you can now receive updates straight to your inbox from the Port Macquarie News. To make sure you're up to date with all the news, SIGN UP HERE.