7 minute read
Line dancing lady
Landing’s First Lady of line dancing
AFTER A CAREER AS A TEACHER, GLENICE ROBERTSON THOUGHT SHE HAD RETIRED BUT HER FRIENDS HAD OTHER IDEAS
Words: Glenice Robertson
Ijoke that I “fell into” teaching line dancing because there was no-one else around to take on the job.
I had been line dancing for 16 years when I moved into Halcyon Landing in 2014 and I quickly organised other homeowners to form a group, recruiting a teacher from an external dance school. The professional taught the group well, but she was not able to continue long term and I volunteered to take over. The rest, as they say, is history and more than five years later I am still teaching the thriving Line Dance Activity Group. Each time the Halcyon Social Group has held Country and Western themed nights, more interest has been generated in line dancing, and I’ve taken on two new beginner groups over the past four years. As everyone has mastered the basic skills, we have now blended the groups together. Everyone enjoys the great vibe of seeing the dance floor full and for us all to be moving in the same direction at once. Of course, in our classes there are no mistakes in the dance routines – just variations!
After more than 30 years of teaching deaf children I use these teaching skills to plan and implement each class. I am a member of the Queensland Line Dance Association, and I’m aided by my husband Terry, who has been nicknamed the Musical Director by the group. Terry downloads all the music for the dances, sources a variety of alternative music as well as finding appropriate YouTube dance clips which are sent out to class members with each new dance taught. Terry began line dancing with the group when it started in 2014, although he wishes he had taken it up with me when I first started in Hervey Bay 16 years ago. He is not the only man in the group, and although they are outnumbered they are equally as keen and enthusiastic as the ladies. Two years ago, we collectively designed our own special shirts to reflect the group’s enthusiasm and fundamental attitude to their line dancing. The shirts read: “Life is better when you line dance - count me in!” It is a real spectacle to see “the parade of shirts” filtering along the streets as participants make their way to the Rec Club for dancing each Thursday afternoon and Saturday morning. It has been a great privilege and a real joy for me to share my love of line dancing with so many homeowners at Halcyon Landing. I’m incredibly proud of the success everyone in the group has achieved.
Glenice and Terry Robertson
THE BENEFITS OF LINE DANCING ACCORDING TO GLENICE
1. 2.
3. 4. Line dancing presents itself as the perfect form of exercise for over 50s. It provides the benefits of an aerobic workout which helps maintain a healthy heart. It develops concentration and memory skills. It provides a platform for participants to get involved in a social environment which is great for mental wellness.
Avo Go
VISION BY HALCYON’S FARMER TURNED FITNESS FANATIC IS A CLASS ACT
The threat of knee to pick fruit, however any replacement surgery dedicated exercise was was the catalyst for John confined to swimming in the Ware to take the plunge and pool on their property. attend his first fitness class. John had never tried any His arthritic, swollen right fitness classes before knee inspired the former retiring and moving to avocado farmer and university Vision by Halcyon in March professor to hit the gym with 2016, and now counts the aim to strengthen the circuits and aqua aerobics muscle around his knee joint as his favourite sessions. and drop some extra weight. “Circuits and aqua aerobics “I have lost around seven are both great physically kilograms; the swelling but also for the socialisation has reduced, and the pain aspect,” John said. has totally gone because of the muscle strength I have built around my right knee,” the Vision by Halcyonhomeowner said. John credits Vision by Halcyon’s high-quality facilities and well-trained fitness instructors for assisting in his fitness journey and “I have been exercising incorporating special exercises religiously for six hours a week for homeowners with specific for four years when I am not issues within the classes. travelling or away on holidays.” “My top tip for anyone with John attends seven exercise joint issues is you might be classes per week including able to improve the longevity circuits, mat stretching of your joints, reducing and aqua aerobics as discomfort and pain by well as the Revive class; a building the appropriate specialist session aimed exercises,” John said. at building strength and flexibility using chairs. The former social sciences professor also points to the Such is his dedication, he physical and mental health and wife Laila, who attends benefits of regular exercise outdoor tai chi and yoga on individual wellbeing. classes, arrange their weekly life and appointments around their exercise regime. “I think staying fit is essential both physically and for socialisation,” he added. The former university professor had led a physically active lifestyle on their Tamborine Mountain avocado farm for 42 years, where he would climb eight metres “At Vision by Halcyon, the socialisation has been much better than we expected. We have found a real support system and a camaraderie that I really appreciate.”
John Ware, Vision by Halcyon
Halcyon homeowners donate $15,000 in 15 days
OVER 15 DAYS IN JULY, HALCYON HOMEOWNERS, THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY, HAVE GIVEN $15,000 TO LOCAL CHARITIES – THAT’S $1,000 A DAY
The donations are part of the Friends of Halcyon Referral Program which enables homeowners, their friends and family to give $500 to the charity of their choice.
Halcyon hosted several Thank You events in July which celebrate giving with donors, guests, and the local charities themselves. With more events planned in the coming weeks the Friends of Halcyon Referral Program has already delivered much needed contributions to a number of different charities and organisations. Some charities have received more than one donation and with COVID-19 impacting the way charities can raise money, all charities have welcomed the contributions. Community Engagement Officer from the Daniel Morcombe Foundation Rachael Witton said she was thrilled with the support. “This year has been a challenging year,” she said.“COVID restrictions have meant we had to cancel a number of our key fundraising activities or move them online. “This money will go directly to educating children, schools and families to recognise signs of harm, to react in a safe way and to report to adults who can help stop the abuse. “This includes developing programs for grandparents so they can help keep their grandchildren safe.”
Margaret Mellor happily holding Ronald McDonald cheque , Halcyon Glades
What is Friends of Halcyon?
When you refer someone to Halcyon and they go on to become a homeowner, you will receive $1,500 for you plus an additional $500 you can donate to a charity or cause of your choice. The person who buys a home from Halcyon will also receive $1,500 for them and $500 which they can donate to a charity or cause of their choice.
Rachel Witton, Daniel Morcombe Foundation, Halcyon Lakeside event
Charities and organisations who have benefited from the $15,000 include:
Animal Welfare League Hummingbird House The Daniel Morcombe Foundation The RSPCA Bloomhill Cancer Care Parkinson’s Queensland The Samaritan's Purse Australia DV Connect – Bella’s Sanctuary Australian Rotary Foundation Trust The Smith Family Australian Breast Cancer Foundation Alannah and Madeline Foundation Bribie Island Ambulance Service Riding for the Disabled Association of Queensland Ronald McDonald House Leukaemia Foundation Queensland Aussie Helpers The Cancer Council Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia Australian Cancer Research Foundation Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital Foundation the Skull Base Fund
Beck O’Connor DV Connect with Sheila and Brian Barnes, Halcyon Greens
Bec Byrnes, Animal Welfare League, Halcyon Greens
