BDCU Goulburn Hospital Fundraising Inc. committee has released the names of contestants for this year’s Dancing with the Starz, which will be held at the Goulburn Soldiers Club on October 13.

While the Mayor’s entry into the competition might not come as a surprise to most readers, what probably will is his history of dancing. The

As a child he suffered from asthma attacks and he was prescribed dancing as a treatment at the age of five.

Goulburn Dancing with the Starz 2009 - Gallery 1

“They said I could either learn to dance or learn to swim and it was too cold here to swim so I took up dancing,” he explained, pointing out Goulburn didn’t have a heated swimming pool in those days.

He learnt tap, ballet and Scottish Highland dancing and continued with it until he was 15. However, his love for dance has stuck with him over the years and he is looking forward to getting back into it again.

Another contestant with a history of dance is none other than Goulburn Police Youth Liaison Officer Barb Beard. The champion triathlete did ballroom dancing for about two years as a teenager in Appin and says she has always loved to boogie. However, with joggers and work boots being the only things to ever go on her feet these days, the thing she is struggling with the most is the prospect of wearing high heels.

“I have to practice just wearing the shoes,” she laughed.

“I get them out and practice walking around the house in them for one hour a night.”

Not all of the contestants have a background of dancing, funeral director Belinda Crooks for example, has only ever danced publically twice, her debut and her bridal waltz, and says neither one was particularly ground breaking.

Dirty Reds forward/Goulburn Party Hire employee Jordan Wilcox also has limited experience - the dance floor at Flamingos Nightclub is about the extent of it.

Also, being a rugby number eight, he isn’t known for his fancy footwork. But he is still willing to give it his best.

Real Estate agent Justin Gay said he fell into the same category as most of the others. He did a little bit of dancing here and there as a kid but says he got involved because of the charity aspect. “I am looking forward to (the competition) and giving something back to the community,” he said.

“The last one was the best night out I have had in Goulburn (and the October show) will be the event of the year.”

Upper Lachlan Shire Council general manager John Bell has no dancing experience whatsoever and joked he would need the entire five month lead up to learn any moves at all.

Goulburn Dancing with the Starz 2009 - Gallery 2

Tracy Freebody from Goulburn Unlimited Fitness will also compete on the night. The personal trainer hasn’t had much dance experience. She did ballet for about 12 months when she was a kid but gave it up for the allure of the sporting field. However, she is a very competitive person and told the Post she was definitely in it to win it.

Dancing with the Starz Two will follow a similar format to the hit Channel Seven TV Show and see each of the contestants paired with a professional dance instructor. This year’s event will include two performances, an open dress rehearsal and the main performance.

There will only be 300 tickets available for the evening show. A seat at a floor side table will cost $100 and will include a seafood platter, a waiter and wine. A seat at the next best tables will set you back $80 and include a three course meal.

There will also be $50 tables, whose occupants will enjoy some finger food. The dress rehearsal won’t be a catered event and tickets will be on sale for $20 per person.

Both shows will be emceed by Troy “Cooky” Cook, who was a big hit in 2009 and the committee is looking forward to another successful event. In the last three years they have donated more than $100,000 worth of equipment to the Goulburn Base Hospital. Tickets go on sale in August.

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