News

Great Western Dance Club steps forward again

20th June, 2008

At this week's very successful East Grampians Health Service Patricia Hinchey Day Centre Annual Ball, a special presentation was made to the Great Western Dance Club.

The Great Western Dance Club is a wonderful example of a local organization doing that ‘extra bit' to support East Grampians Health Service, and in particular the Patricia Hinchey Day Centre.

Every year for over the past 20 years, members of the Great Western Dance Club have offered their assistance to the annual Day Centre Ball.  Not only have they given their time to teach those attending the Day Centre a few dance steps, but have come out in force on the day of the Ball, all dressed to the theme to help create a fun and enjoyable day for everyone. In more recent times the Happy Wanderers Dancers have become involved also and so the dancing support has grown two fold.

For the Day Centre clients the event is the highlight of the year, and this year's Rock N Roll theme again created a vibrant atmosphere with over 70 people in attendance including visitors from the Ararat Retirement Village.

Well known local, volunteer and past ‘In Charge' of the Patricia Hinchey Day Centre, Isobel Costello was in attendance and is credited with being the instigator of getting the Day Centre Ball up and going all those years ago.  Isobel is still associated with the health service and helps out at the Day Centre and Garden View Court Hostel.

Like every year previous, much thought and work goes into the theme, the decorations, and the outfits worn and importantly for the music provided every year by Ken de Champion and this is loved by the enthusiastic dancers.

In acknowledging the Great Western Dance Club and the loyal dancers present, Director of Clinical Services, Helen Watt in presenting a Certificate of Appreciation to one of the inaugural dancers Norma Lloyd, said: ‘Today is an opportunity for East Grampians Health Service to acknowledge all the dancers who have come along and assisted over the years with the Day Centre Ball. Your contribution helps make it the wonderful success it has been and is again today.

We also recognize the continuing financial contribution by the Great Western Dance Club who every year have given a significant donation to the health service to be put towards a ‘good cause'. This year again is no exception with the Dance Club donating $500 which will be dedicated to the Day Centre Courtyard development and barbecue area. This area, when completed will give the people who visit the Day Centre, the volunteers and the staff lots of enjoyment and pleasure."

Helen also thanked the Day Centre Staff, and in particular the many volunteers who help make the Annual Ball the success it always is for the people attending.

The Patricia Hinchey Day Centre Annual Ball ‘belle' this year is Patsy Mooney and the ‘beau' Carl Kristoff who were both dressed very much to the occasion for Rock N Roll.