WEBVTT - Connections Community & Dance 0:00:45.593 --> 0:00:48.553 Hello and welcome to In Plain Sight, a program where 0:00:48.553 --> 0:00:51.153 we highlight people who are making a positive impact in 0:00:51.153 --> 0:00:53.473 the community and disability sector. 0:00:53.473 --> 0:00:56.353 Shining a light on those who would be otherwise hidden 0:00:56.353 --> 0:00:57.473 in plain sight. 0:00:57.473 --> 0:00:59.553 And it's a pleasure to bring you these stories on 0:00:59.553 --> 0:01:03.153 a weekly basis with you here on Vision Australia Radio. 0:01:03.553 --> 0:01:04.233 Hi, Andrew. 0:01:04.513 --> 0:01:05.512 How are you, Simon? 0:01:05.553 --> 0:01:08.193 I'm pretty good as I am, always being in the 0:01:08.193 --> 0:01:10.793 studio and being part of this wonderful program. How are 0:01:10.793 --> 0:01:11.233 you going? 0:01:11.273 --> 0:01:12.553 I'm really good. 0:01:12.593 --> 0:01:14.913 So what have we got going on this week? Andrew. 0:01:14.953 --> 0:01:18.273 Well, as we go to air, it's actually the week 0:01:18.273 --> 0:01:22.312 of disability deafness, sign language and Access to Information Week. 0:01:22.353 --> 0:01:26.153 And that's the 22nd to the 28th of September. But 0:01:26.193 --> 0:01:28.633 it's also known as the International Week of Deaf People. 0:01:29.033 --> 0:01:32.073 And it includes on the 23rd of September, the International 0:01:32.073 --> 0:01:36.273 Day of Signed Languages and Auslan in Australia. So yeah, 0:01:36.313 --> 0:01:38.673 there's a fair bit going on indeed. 0:01:38.673 --> 0:01:42.433 And as Andrew said, Aslam is the language that deaf 0:01:42.432 --> 0:01:45.193 and hard of hearing people use here in Australia. It's 0:01:45.193 --> 0:01:47.473 called different things in other countries. I'm not sure what 0:01:47.473 --> 0:01:51.673 they are, but it is a common language, slightly unique 0:01:51.673 --> 0:01:56.993 within each country, and communicating with people with disabilities is very, 0:01:56.993 --> 0:01:59.513 very important. And it's important to do this kind of 0:01:59.553 --> 0:02:03.713 communication clearly and in a way that is understood by 0:02:03.713 --> 0:02:07.233 both parties who are communicating. And this week we have 0:02:07.233 --> 0:02:09.273 got a guest coming up for you later on in 0:02:09.273 --> 0:02:13.232 our program. His name is Darryl Davenport. He's a ballroom 0:02:13.473 --> 0:02:17.073 dancer and a ballroom dance instructor and has been for 0:02:17.073 --> 0:02:21.233 many years. And he creates classes for people who are 0:02:21.233 --> 0:02:25.472 vision impaired and people who have disabilities. And it's so 0:02:25.513 --> 0:02:30.473 important that communication is clear and understood between both people 0:02:30.473 --> 0:02:33.593 within that kind of relationship and within the conversation that 0:02:33.593 --> 0:02:38.472 I'll have with Darryl shortly, you'll hear that obviously within dancing, 0:02:38.473 --> 0:02:41.763 you can't communicate verbally because you've got to listen to 0:02:41.803 --> 0:02:43.963 music and there's a lot of things going on. So 0:02:44.043 --> 0:02:48.483 you have to communicate through different forms, including touch. And 0:02:48.483 --> 0:02:52.322 it's really admirable what Daryl and his team have done 0:02:52.323 --> 0:02:56.643 there at Ballroom and Para Dance Western Australia, to be 0:02:56.643 --> 0:03:01.243 not only inclusive, but to find little ways of promoting 0:03:01.363 --> 0:03:05.203 better communication for people with disabilities. And they also have 0:03:05.203 --> 0:03:09.523 dance classes and fitness classes for people in aged care 0:03:09.523 --> 0:03:14.523 facilities and seated dancing for all. Andrew, are you any 0:03:14.523 --> 0:03:16.482 good at dancing? I know you're good at singing. 0:03:16.763 --> 0:03:18.403 Oh yeah, I'm not bad at. Bit of a dab 0:03:18.442 --> 0:03:21.203 hand at singing, I guess. But, um. Yeah. Dancing. Well, 0:03:21.203 --> 0:03:23.683 I actually remember when I was in high school, I did, um, 0:03:23.722 --> 0:03:26.843 we had a term of ballroom dancing. So not bad 0:03:26.843 --> 0:03:29.563 at ballroom dancing when I was a teenager with my 0:03:29.563 --> 0:03:32.602 Scottish background, my mother's side of the family. I have 0:03:32.603 --> 0:03:36.083 Scottish heritage. They're MacDonalds of the Isle of Skye. I 0:03:36.083 --> 0:03:40.243 used to do Scottish country dancing. So um, yes, once 0:03:40.323 --> 0:03:42.563 a week, sometimes 2 or 3 times a week. Used 0:03:42.563 --> 0:03:45.483 to kilt up with my parents and off we'd go 0:03:45.483 --> 0:03:49.723 to all kinds of different Scottish country dancing classes. So, yeah. Um, 0:03:49.763 --> 0:03:51.803 depends on what sort of dance it is on a 0:03:51.803 --> 0:03:54.003 disco dance floor, maybe, you know. 0:03:54.043 --> 0:03:54.763 Yes, indeed. 0:03:54.803 --> 0:03:55.483 Not bad. 0:03:55.523 --> 0:03:59.043 I'm a very reluctant dancer, and I do dance every 0:03:59.043 --> 0:04:02.203 now and again. But usually when I'm enjoying music, I 0:04:02.243 --> 0:04:06.283 just like to sit, stand and enjoy it and, uh, 0:04:06.483 --> 0:04:08.763 just dance in the spot where I am. Now, Andrew, 0:04:08.803 --> 0:04:10.883 have you got some information there about some of the 0:04:10.883 --> 0:04:15.043 other activities that Ballroom Dance West Australia have got going 0:04:15.043 --> 0:04:16.323 on in the next little while? 0:04:16.443 --> 0:04:19.843 There's some interesting events coming up. So on the 2nd 0:04:19.843 --> 0:04:22.842 of October, there's a fundraising event for Para and Ability 0:04:22.883 --> 0:04:26.763 Dance WA or Padua. They're having a bingo night. Um, 0:04:26.763 --> 0:04:29.323 it's Friday, the 2nd of October, 6 to 9 p.m. 0:04:29.323 --> 0:04:33.163 at the Manning Senior Citizens Center at Downey Drive in 0:04:33.203 --> 0:04:36.483 Manning here in Perth. Very lovely part of Perth near 0:04:36.483 --> 0:04:41.013 the Canning River. And it's a fundraiser to help get 0:04:41.013 --> 0:04:43.613 the team. There's going to be about 30. As Daryl 0:04:43.653 --> 0:04:45.453 talks about in the interview, there's going to be about 0:04:45.453 --> 0:04:49.053 30 people from Perth going on a bit of a pilgrimage, actually, 0:04:49.373 --> 0:04:52.853 to the 2026 Australian Dance Sport Championships. That'll be in 0:04:52.853 --> 0:04:55.652 Melbourne in December. So there's bingo night is actually helping 0:04:55.653 --> 0:04:59.733 to raise funds for the dancers, um, with disability to 0:04:59.773 --> 0:05:04.653 get to the championships. And it's $30 a person. You get, 0:05:04.693 --> 0:05:07.893 you know, bingo games, there's food and drink and so forth. 0:05:08.333 --> 0:05:12.053 And further information about that or purchasing tickets. You can 0:05:12.053 --> 0:05:20.133 actually send an email to chairman@padua.org.au. And Padua is PADWA, 0:05:20.173 --> 0:05:25.573 so it's chairman@padua.org.au. For information about this fantastic power and 0:05:25.573 --> 0:05:27.413 ability dance wa bingo night. 0:05:27.693 --> 0:05:30.013 I understand that we're a bit Perth focused here and 0:05:30.013 --> 0:05:32.893 that's part of what we do. But as we mentioned 0:05:32.933 --> 0:05:36.933 within the interview coming up shortly, there are other organisations 0:05:36.933 --> 0:05:41.973 throughout Australia to participate in ballroom dancing or whatever level 0:05:41.973 --> 0:05:45.173 you are, or whatever ability or disability you might have. 0:05:45.293 --> 0:05:48.653 So look that up within your local area, and I 0:05:48.693 --> 0:05:52.653 highly recommend looking up para dancing on the internet and 0:05:52.653 --> 0:05:56.773 YouTube or wherever else. There's some beautiful footage of the 0:05:56.813 --> 0:06:00.613 really glamorous sport, not only sport, but the really glamorous 0:06:00.613 --> 0:06:03.773 activity that ballroom dancing is. It's a wonderful way of 0:06:03.813 --> 0:06:07.813 connecting with people. And as I mentioned within the interview, 0:06:08.053 --> 0:06:13.213 the Ballroom Fit organization have partnered up with the initiative 0:06:13.213 --> 0:06:17.253 from West Australian government. The campaign that is act, belong 0:06:17.253 --> 0:06:17.933 and commit. 0:06:17.933 --> 0:06:21.293 Yeah. So act belong commit is actually a health promotion 0:06:21.293 --> 0:06:24.893 campaign designed to encourage people to take action to improve 0:06:24.893 --> 0:06:27.933 and protect their mental health and wellbeing. So that's a 0:06:27.933 --> 0:06:31.653 program that's operated out of Curtin Uni here in Perth. 0:06:31.693 --> 0:06:34.253 So with that, I'd like you to sit back and 0:06:34.253 --> 0:06:37.653 enjoy this interview with Darryl Davenport. Hello and thanks for 0:06:37.653 --> 0:06:40.063 joining us once again on In Plain Sight on Vision 0:06:40.103 --> 0:06:44.423 Australia Radio. And this week we are speaking to Daryl Davenport. Hello, Daryl. 0:06:44.423 --> 0:06:45.263 Hello, Simon. 0:06:45.503 --> 0:06:48.063 I'll get you to introduce yourself because you've got a 0:06:48.063 --> 0:06:51.783 couple of hats revolving around all abilities dance and para 0:06:51.783 --> 0:06:56.263 dance and ballroom fit. What are your roles with those organisations? Please, Daryl. 0:06:56.303 --> 0:07:00.103 Yes. Thanks, Simon. Uh, so with ballroom fit, I'm the principal. 0:07:00.103 --> 0:07:05.103 I started Boring Fit back in 2017. Uh, and it's grown, um, 0:07:05.143 --> 0:07:09.223 much greater than I actually anticipated. And as a result 0:07:09.223 --> 0:07:11.743 of that, we then felt that we needed to start 0:07:11.743 --> 0:07:16.703 a charity to assist with the advocating for dancers with disability. 0:07:17.063 --> 0:07:20.063 And so I'm the chairman of Padua, and that was 0:07:20.063 --> 0:07:22.223 that was formed in 2019. 0:07:22.743 --> 0:07:24.383 So Padua stands for. 0:07:24.423 --> 0:07:27.303 Para and Ability Dance wa incorporated. 0:07:27.303 --> 0:07:30.303 And that's the main thing we will be concentrating on 0:07:30.343 --> 0:07:34.303 today because you've got a big event coming up in December, 0:07:34.343 --> 0:07:37.103 a dance competition. And you also want to talk about 0:07:37.143 --> 0:07:40.623 a bingo night that you've got a fundraiser for that. 0:07:40.943 --> 0:07:44.263 But can you tell us, firstly, how I first came 0:07:44.263 --> 0:07:46.943 across you, which ballroom fit can you tell us about 0:07:46.983 --> 0:07:49.583 ballroom fit and some of the components of what ballroom 0:07:49.623 --> 0:07:52.583 fit is, especially when you're on Vision Australia Radio and 0:07:52.583 --> 0:07:55.343 how it helps people with a vision impairment and deaf 0:07:55.343 --> 0:07:57.743 blind participate in ballroom dancing? 0:07:57.783 --> 0:08:00.743 Well, it has been very popular with both the, um, 0:08:00.903 --> 0:08:04.543 the blind vision impaired and also the deaf blind communities 0:08:04.543 --> 0:08:08.223 in Perth. So what it is, is um partner dancing. 0:08:08.583 --> 0:08:11.423 So it does mean that you're actually able to learn 0:08:11.423 --> 0:08:15.223 dancing through lead follow. Um, and we're actually able to 0:08:15.223 --> 0:08:19.343 assist the dancers with um, tactile instructions as well as 0:08:19.343 --> 0:08:23.383 verbal instructions. Uh, and we are running a weekly vision 0:08:23.383 --> 0:08:27.663 impaired class on Tuesdays from 6 to 7 at visibility. 0:08:27.663 --> 0:08:31.943 And that has become a very popular social and dance night. 0:08:31.943 --> 0:08:34.343 It sure is. And it's something we've talked about through 0:08:34.343 --> 0:08:38.183 my time here on this program a number of times. And, um, 0:08:38.303 --> 0:08:40.463 you get mentioned on this program a number of times 0:08:40.463 --> 0:08:45.143 as well. Tell us about what power and ability dance is, please. Daryl. 0:08:45.183 --> 0:08:49.262 Yes. Well, power and ability dance supports not just ballroom dancers, 0:08:49.263 --> 0:08:52.622 but it supports dancers in the wider dance community. And 0:08:52.623 --> 0:08:54.983 what we saw was that there actually needed to be 0:08:54.982 --> 0:08:58.863 a voice to advocate for dancers with disabilities in general, 0:08:58.862 --> 0:09:02.823 but also, of course, vision impaired for competitions and also 0:09:02.823 --> 0:09:07.862 for fundraising. Uh, because what is, um, the opportunity is 0:09:07.862 --> 0:09:10.502 there for dancers to be able to compete in national 0:09:10.503 --> 0:09:14.663 and international competitions. Uh, but of course, that's a great expense. 0:09:14.663 --> 0:09:17.863 So we need the assistance through some fundraising activities, some 0:09:17.863 --> 0:09:21.023 sponsorships and donations to make that possible. 0:09:21.023 --> 0:09:25.463 And so tell us ballroom dancing. Now there's the social 0:09:25.463 --> 0:09:28.663 element and there's the community element, but you also have 0:09:28.703 --> 0:09:32.023 a competitive sports element as well. So can you introduce 0:09:32.023 --> 0:09:35.663 us into the world of ballroom dancing? Just for those 0:09:35.663 --> 0:09:39.913 of us that have never experienced, especially in the competitive area. 0:09:39.953 --> 0:09:44.193 So ballroom dancing can be done as a social recreational activity. 0:09:44.193 --> 0:09:47.393 And that's what a lot of the majority of our 0:09:47.393 --> 0:09:50.993 dancers are doing it really for social purposes. So they 0:09:50.993 --> 0:09:55.233 can go to a social dance, which we, we run, uh, 0:09:55.233 --> 0:09:57.232 as I said on Tuesdays, but we also run them 0:09:57.233 --> 0:10:01.873 periodically throughout the year, um, at different locations and different dates. 0:10:01.873 --> 0:10:05.113 And they're able to then meet, socialize with like minded 0:10:05.113 --> 0:10:09.073 people and have a common activity through the dancing. And 0:10:09.073 --> 0:10:12.873 so it's a very social recreational pursuit. But then some 0:10:12.873 --> 0:10:15.352 people get a little bit hooked and they decide, no, 0:10:15.353 --> 0:10:17.953 I actually really enjoy this and I want to take 0:10:17.953 --> 0:10:20.993 it further. And so there is the opportunities to take 0:10:20.993 --> 0:10:25.033 it further, um, through dance sport. So dance sport in 0:10:25.033 --> 0:10:30.633 Western Australia, we have competitions basically every month and there's 0:10:30.633 --> 0:10:34.393 always a vision impaired category. Now, okay, so the competitors 0:10:34.393 --> 0:10:37.193 are able to compete if they wanted to. Basically on 0:10:37.193 --> 0:10:40.753 a monthly basis at what is a all day event 0:10:40.753 --> 0:10:44.553 with dance sport from little juveniles right up to seniors, 0:10:44.873 --> 0:10:48.793 all different abilities, all different age divisions. Again, it's another 0:10:48.793 --> 0:10:50.953 fun social activity, but it just has a little bit 0:10:50.953 --> 0:10:53.913 more to it in that they're able to actually develop 0:10:53.913 --> 0:10:57.473 their skills and to be able to then compete in 0:10:57.513 --> 0:10:58.233 the dancing. 0:10:58.353 --> 0:11:02.113 I know from people that I know that have participated, 0:11:02.113 --> 0:11:06.193 both in the social element and the community element, and 0:11:06.193 --> 0:11:09.233 as well as the competitive element. They, they love it. They, 0:11:09.233 --> 0:11:11.713 they get really excited about it. And I know that 0:11:11.753 --> 0:11:13.913 some of the women that I know that do this 0:11:13.913 --> 0:11:16.473 type of thing, they love the dressing up part of 0:11:16.473 --> 0:11:19.913 it and looking glamorous. I know one of my friends 0:11:19.913 --> 0:11:23.232 who has been part of your organization for a while now, 0:11:23.433 --> 0:11:26.433 she just loves the fact that she can look glamorous 0:11:26.433 --> 0:11:30.513 and feel as feminine as she's ever felt, and that's 0:11:30.513 --> 0:11:34.673 something she aimed to do and also really benefited because 0:11:34.763 --> 0:11:38.203 she's totally blind from being in what you said, like a, 0:11:38.203 --> 0:11:42.083 a caring, respectful environment and doing partner dancing. And she 0:11:42.083 --> 0:11:44.843 just follow what the people are doing. 0:11:44.843 --> 0:11:48.043 Exactly. And a lot of the ladies, they actually through our, 0:11:48.083 --> 0:11:50.003 our ballroom fit and through pad where we have a 0:11:50.003 --> 0:11:53.603 lot of, um, WhatsApp groups and Facebook groups and the 0:11:53.603 --> 0:11:56.123 ladies are always helping each other with, you know, different 0:11:56.123 --> 0:11:59.043 things that they've found on websites and, and different things 0:11:59.043 --> 0:12:03.283 that the swapping costuming ideas and, um, and that, so 0:12:03.283 --> 0:12:06.363 they actually really do enjoy the interaction of the planning 0:12:06.803 --> 0:12:10.523 that goes into these activities. So it actually does create 0:12:10.523 --> 0:12:13.602 a community and it creates a, I feel a good 0:12:13.643 --> 0:12:16.323 sense of belonging that you're actually part of a group 0:12:16.323 --> 0:12:19.243 which has, um, although you might be competing against these 0:12:19.243 --> 0:12:22.043 other people, you still share interests with them. And we 0:12:22.043 --> 0:12:24.323 all sort of support and help each other along the 0:12:24.323 --> 0:12:27.603 way through those activities. Um, so it is very much, 0:12:27.643 --> 0:12:30.283 it's not just the sport, but there's also the preparation 0:12:30.283 --> 0:12:33.163 that goes into making sure that the ladies look glamorous 0:12:33.163 --> 0:12:34.123 for these occasions. 0:12:34.163 --> 0:12:37.643 Indeed. But you just mentioned the word belonging there, and 0:12:37.643 --> 0:12:42.242 I believe you had a partnership with the government. Is 0:12:42.243 --> 0:12:42.683 that right? 0:12:42.683 --> 0:12:46.043 That is correct. Yes. We are partners with the West 0:12:46.043 --> 0:12:50.483 Australian Government Act, belong commit program. Um, so what we 0:12:50.483 --> 0:12:56.323 do is we actually, um, advertise our services through their programs. 0:12:56.483 --> 0:12:59.523 So people who are looking for activities to do within 0:12:59.563 --> 0:13:02.683 the West Australian area are able to go onto their website, 0:13:03.043 --> 0:13:05.843 do some key search functions and actually come up with 0:13:05.843 --> 0:13:10.683 activities that are available in their area. And then we also, um, 0:13:10.763 --> 0:13:13.083 network with each other as to the other groups and 0:13:13.083 --> 0:13:14.403 the other partners also. 0:13:14.443 --> 0:13:18.403 And I think it's so wonderful that because what you're 0:13:18.403 --> 0:13:23.363 doing now with ballroom dancing fits that criteria perfectly because 0:13:23.363 --> 0:13:27.003 you act, you join something, you belong and you commit 0:13:27.003 --> 0:13:31.083 to it. And obviously with dance, it's a physical activity 0:13:31.443 --> 0:13:34.533 and it's a social activity. So you've got so many 0:13:34.533 --> 0:13:37.093 bases covered there, Daryl. And it's a wonderful thing and 0:13:37.093 --> 0:13:38.813 it's a wonderful service that you're providing. 0:13:39.453 --> 0:13:41.813 Yes. Thank you. I think that from my point of 0:13:41.813 --> 0:13:45.253 view and I feel other people, um, around me, there's 0:13:45.253 --> 0:13:48.693 a sense of well-being when you're dancing because as you commented, 0:13:48.693 --> 0:13:52.053 it's not just the physical side, but you also it's 0:13:52.053 --> 0:13:55.853 a partner dance. So you've got intimate working relationship with 0:13:55.853 --> 0:13:58.053 your partner, but then you've also got other people on 0:13:58.053 --> 0:14:01.493 the dance floor that you need to interact with. Uh, 0:14:01.493 --> 0:14:03.893 so it actually has that really good social side to it. 0:14:03.893 --> 0:14:07.573 Also on Vision Australia radio, you're listening to In Plain 0:14:07.573 --> 0:14:11.253 Sight with Simon Chong and me, Andrew Williams. Our guest 0:14:11.253 --> 0:14:14.893 this week is Darryl Davenport, who is the principal of 0:14:14.933 --> 0:14:19.693 Ballroom Fit and chairman of Para and Dance Ability WA 0:14:19.813 --> 0:14:22.573 or Padua for short. And now it's back to Simon 0:14:22.573 --> 0:14:23.253 and Darryl. 0:14:23.773 --> 0:14:27.653 Now I was looking into the para dance and you've 0:14:27.693 --> 0:14:31.853 got the organisation here, Para Ability Dance, and I believe 0:14:31.853 --> 0:14:35.813 it's a really competitive sport component within that and there's 0:14:35.813 --> 0:14:39.773 different categories. Can you explain what para dance is for us, please? Daryl. 0:14:39.813 --> 0:14:44.733 Certainly. So para dance is the overall arching umbrella for 0:14:44.933 --> 0:14:47.893 people that use wheelchairs. So what it is, is we 0:14:47.893 --> 0:14:52.493 actually have three categories within our paradigm section. We have 0:14:52.493 --> 0:14:56.133 the solos where they actually dance on their own. And 0:14:56.133 --> 0:14:59.213 then we have what's called a combi, where they will 0:14:59.213 --> 0:15:02.653 have someone who's seated in a wheelchair dancing with someone 0:15:02.653 --> 0:15:06.333 who's a standing partner, and they form a partnership together. 0:15:06.333 --> 0:15:10.213 And through that, they emulate all the ballroom dancing. They 0:15:10.213 --> 0:15:15.493 would do waltz, tangos, Viennese waltz, foxtrot, quicksteps, as well 0:15:15.493 --> 0:15:19.053 as Latin. And then the final category is the duo, 0:15:19.093 --> 0:15:22.853 which is two wheelchair users dancing together. Oh, wow. And 0:15:22.853 --> 0:15:25.733 the same, same sort of discipline. They actually do all 0:15:25.733 --> 0:15:28.013 the different ballroom dancing. So in this case, if we 0:15:28.053 --> 0:15:32.133 went through the Latin, they would do the cha cha, samba, rumba, 0:15:32.293 --> 0:15:33.973 paso doble and jive. 0:15:34.013 --> 0:15:37.893 Now we're broadcasting throughout Australia and on the podcast worldwide. 0:15:38.053 --> 0:15:41.613 Your classes are here in Perth, but what's kind of 0:15:41.653 --> 0:15:44.613 participation levels do you have with both these types of 0:15:44.613 --> 0:15:46.853 classes and events that you're running here? Daryl. 0:15:46.893 --> 0:15:49.973 Look, from our our participation point of view, the vision 0:15:49.973 --> 0:15:54.293 impaired categories have become extremely popular. Um, so we have 0:15:54.293 --> 0:15:57.813 a class on Tuesdays where we have, I don't know, 0:15:57.853 --> 0:16:00.133 I'm guessing that we have maybe 30 to 40 in 0:16:00.173 --> 0:16:03.413 the room. Um, but that does include, of course that 0:16:03.653 --> 0:16:06.773 everyone comes with a support worker. So that would be 0:16:06.773 --> 0:16:10.013 the participants with their support worker. Uh, then we also 0:16:10.013 --> 0:16:12.813 have the coaches and the volunteers in that class. And 0:16:12.813 --> 0:16:16.133 then for the competitive side of it, I'm guessing that 0:16:16.133 --> 0:16:19.213 we have about 12 that actually then take that to 0:16:19.493 --> 0:16:23.733 the competition side rather than the, the social side. So 0:16:23.773 --> 0:16:28.373 they're working with their respective partners, uh, around the Perth 0:16:28.373 --> 0:16:32.783 metro area. Um, they're mainly doing this through, um, this 0:16:32.783 --> 0:16:36.303 would be one on one rather than groups in this case. Um, 0:16:36.303 --> 0:16:39.263 because they're actually trying to perfect their skills with their, 0:16:39.303 --> 0:16:40.343 with their partners. 0:16:40.583 --> 0:16:42.623 I mentioned at the start, one of the reasons we 0:16:42.623 --> 0:16:45.823 are talking with you today is that you told me 0:16:45.823 --> 0:16:49.503 about a big event that the para dance sport is 0:16:49.503 --> 0:16:52.463 going to be participating in with some championships or something 0:16:52.463 --> 0:16:55.263 like that in Melbourne in December, and you've got a 0:16:55.263 --> 0:16:58.743 fundraising event for that. Can you firstly tell us about 0:16:58.743 --> 0:17:02.623 how these major dance sport events take place and where 0:17:02.623 --> 0:17:04.383 para dance fits within that? 0:17:04.383 --> 0:17:09.183 So Melbourne is the Australian Dance Sport Championship, and this 0:17:09.183 --> 0:17:13.582 will be held from the 3rd to the 5th of December. 0:17:13.983 --> 0:17:17.023 It's held at Olympic Parks, and it is the main 0:17:17.023 --> 0:17:20.782 event for the year for our industry. From that event, 0:17:20.782 --> 0:17:23.783 we choose all our world reps for the next year. 0:17:23.782 --> 0:17:26.703 So it is the pinnacle event where everyone from all 0:17:26.703 --> 0:17:30.103 the different states that is working towards these goals will 0:17:30.103 --> 0:17:33.703 get together. And as I said, the four days are 0:17:33.822 --> 0:17:37.422 very long and intensive. Through all the different age divisions 0:17:37.582 --> 0:17:43.343 and different categories that people are dancing with, the vision impaired, 0:17:43.782 --> 0:17:47.463 the para dance. And we also have the intellectual disability, 0:17:47.463 --> 0:17:50.702 which we call ability dance. Mhm. They have their events 0:17:50.703 --> 0:17:52.983 just the same as everyone else. So that's there. 0:17:52.983 --> 0:17:56.622 In that big event. There's different categories including vision impaired 0:17:56.622 --> 0:17:57.183 and para. 0:17:57.183 --> 0:18:00.542 And there is. Yes. So what, what's the beauty that 0:18:00.542 --> 0:18:03.623 I feel with dance sport is that all the categories 0:18:03.663 --> 0:18:07.663 are put together on the same days. So what it'll 0:18:07.703 --> 0:18:10.503 be is when we're in the marshalling area, we may 0:18:10.503 --> 0:18:15.102 have the juniors, which are between 13 and 16, and 0:18:15.142 --> 0:18:17.462 they may, they might be doing their their walls. And 0:18:17.463 --> 0:18:19.702 then we've got next we've got the vision impaired who 0:18:19.703 --> 0:18:22.103 might be doing their cha cha. Then after that we've 0:18:22.102 --> 0:18:24.503 got maybe the over 60s, they're going to be doing 0:18:24.503 --> 0:18:29.503 a gypsy tap. So the different categories are all together. 0:18:29.503 --> 0:18:32.872 One one event after the other. So I think from 0:18:32.872 --> 0:18:35.432 our point of view with our members, the members love 0:18:35.433 --> 0:18:38.913 the fact that they are just included. It's just integrated 0:18:38.913 --> 0:18:40.233 into the competition. 0:18:40.233 --> 0:18:43.832 Reminds me a lot of something, being a sports fan myself, 0:18:43.872 --> 0:18:47.912 something like the Commonwealth Games, where the power of events 0:18:47.913 --> 0:18:53.112 were included within the Commonwealth Games, just as another event, 0:18:53.153 --> 0:18:56.072 not a special a separate event, which is great. 0:18:56.072 --> 0:18:59.113 Exactly. And it is it is that same formula that 0:18:59.112 --> 0:19:02.792 the Commonwealth Games use, which I think is fantastic, because 0:19:02.792 --> 0:19:06.872 it just means that it's just integrated automatically into the, the, 0:19:06.872 --> 0:19:08.312 the mainstream events. 0:19:08.312 --> 0:19:11.313 So what is the fundraising event, the bingo night that 0:19:11.312 --> 0:19:12.513 you've got coming up? Darryl. 0:19:12.513 --> 0:19:14.993 Yes. Thank you. So we have a bingo night, which 0:19:14.993 --> 0:19:18.993 we are planning for the Friday, the 2nd of October, 0:19:19.632 --> 0:19:23.233 it will be from 6 to 9 p.m. and it's 0:19:23.233 --> 0:19:26.432 going to be at the Manning Senior Citizens Center. It 0:19:26.473 --> 0:19:29.952 is $30 a ticket. And for that, that includes five 0:19:29.993 --> 0:19:33.913 bingo games, and we've also got like a slow cooker 0:19:34.072 --> 0:19:36.753 supper that we're going to be providing tea, coffee, soft 0:19:36.753 --> 0:19:40.312 drinks and a sweet treat to finish with. So it 0:19:40.312 --> 0:19:42.673 will be actually a fun night. We've held a few 0:19:42.673 --> 0:19:45.552 of these now and they are very popular with our members. 0:19:45.792 --> 0:19:49.192 And for those people that are blind or vision impaired, 0:19:49.193 --> 0:19:52.433 we actually also are going to be offering. We have 0:19:52.433 --> 0:19:55.592 already had the made Braille bingo card. So if anyone 0:19:55.592 --> 0:19:58.153 wants to use a Braille bingo card, there will be 0:19:58.153 --> 0:20:00.832 an option for them to request one. We also go 0:20:00.832 --> 0:20:04.713 through the bingo game at a slower pace, maybe than 0:20:04.753 --> 0:20:08.032 normal callers would go through, just to make sure that 0:20:08.032 --> 0:20:11.032 everyone has the opportunity to to go through and make 0:20:11.032 --> 0:20:13.792 sure that they've got all the numbers. Um, so we 0:20:13.832 --> 0:20:16.513 don't sort of go at a set pace. We just 0:20:16.513 --> 0:20:19.432 do it as we, as we feel is appropriate for 0:20:19.433 --> 0:20:21.273 everyone in the, in the room. 0:20:21.312 --> 0:20:24.392 One of the things I always appreciated and respected about 0:20:24.392 --> 0:20:27.312 you and your team, Darrell, is that you look into 0:20:27.312 --> 0:20:32.432 these little smaller details of inclusion, of respecting the people 0:20:32.433 --> 0:20:35.792 you're working for and with. And I really want to 0:20:35.792 --> 0:20:38.753 thank you for that. I think it's a really admirable thing. 0:20:38.953 --> 0:20:41.673 Oh thank you. And it's, it's we're having a lovely time. 0:20:41.673 --> 0:20:45.753 We're really enjoying the process of actually going through and 0:20:45.753 --> 0:20:49.353 meeting all these new people and working with them to 0:20:49.392 --> 0:20:52.153 get the most out of their, their, their dancing and 0:20:52.153 --> 0:20:53.273 their social activities. 0:20:53.352 --> 0:20:56.513 So the bingo night on the 2nd of October is 0:20:56.513 --> 0:20:59.753 to help raise funds for our team to go over 0:20:59.753 --> 0:21:03.112 to Melbourne and participate in the big dance competition over there. 0:21:03.312 --> 0:21:06.353 How many people are from Perth will be heading over 0:21:06.352 --> 0:21:07.872 to Melbourne for that event? 0:21:07.913 --> 0:21:11.273 It really does feel like the whole Perth industry goes across. 0:21:11.273 --> 0:21:15.792 So it is a very, very popular annual event that, um, 0:21:15.913 --> 0:21:18.832 anyone who's sort of at a higher level, I guess 0:21:18.832 --> 0:21:23.993 within the competition cycle within Perth aspires to go to. Mhm. 0:21:24.312 --> 0:21:29.003 So we had from boring fit, this includes, uh, support 0:21:29.003 --> 0:21:31.963 workers and includes parents, but we had, um, a team 0:21:31.963 --> 0:21:34.922 of over 30 just go from boring fit last year. 0:21:34.923 --> 0:21:36.962 And then there would be similar numbers from each of 0:21:36.963 --> 0:21:40.642 the different dance schools around Perth. Wow. So it is, 0:21:40.683 --> 0:21:43.282 it is a, um, a big pilgrimage that we, we 0:21:43.282 --> 0:21:44.202 make annually. 0:21:44.602 --> 0:21:48.363 So with the, uh, para dance, I was reading up 0:21:48.362 --> 0:21:51.763 on that for some reason it's sort of linked to Paralympics, 0:21:51.763 --> 0:21:54.083 but it's not part of the Paralympics. Is that right? 0:21:54.443 --> 0:21:56.923 Yes, you are correct. So what it is is it's 0:21:56.963 --> 0:22:01.643 actually the peak body for the para dance is actually 0:22:01.642 --> 0:22:07.122 the Paralympic Committee. So they actually are the overriding committee 0:22:07.122 --> 0:22:11.442 that everyone reports to. And they have been managing para 0:22:11.443 --> 0:22:14.162 dance for many years now. What it is, is to 0:22:14.203 --> 0:22:18.483 get into the Paralympics. The sports have to apply. And 0:22:18.483 --> 0:22:22.603 so for the last I definitely know since I've been involved, um, 0:22:22.602 --> 0:22:27.042 I've heard about the last three Paralympics para dance has 0:22:27.042 --> 0:22:31.243 put in an application each year, and although they haven't 0:22:31.243 --> 0:22:34.282 been accepted yet, they get feedback as to what needs 0:22:34.282 --> 0:22:37.882 to happen to make them more competitive in the next round. 0:22:37.882 --> 0:22:42.003 And although we haven't been accepted as a sport, what 0:22:42.003 --> 0:22:46.322 has happened in the last few Paralympics and hopefully we'll continue, 0:22:46.642 --> 0:22:50.963 is para dancers have featured in the opening and closing ceremonies. 0:22:51.003 --> 0:22:51.763 Oh yes. 0:22:51.802 --> 0:22:55.682 So they have actually utilised dancers, although not as a 0:22:55.723 --> 0:22:59.763 mainstream sport within the events. They have utilised them through 0:22:59.763 --> 0:23:04.042 displays and through presentations. So there is still a representation 0:23:04.042 --> 0:23:06.243 of para dance at the games. 0:23:06.362 --> 0:23:09.003 Yes, I've seen quite a lot of it on YouTube 0:23:09.003 --> 0:23:12.602 and television and whatnot. Just to let everyone know, Darryl, 0:23:12.802 --> 0:23:15.842 we have to finish up soon. Where can people find 0:23:15.882 --> 0:23:19.562 para dance and ballroom fit? How do people get involved? 0:23:19.842 --> 0:23:23.482 So we have a website which covers all our classes, 0:23:23.763 --> 0:23:29.132 and from a ballroom fit point of view that is boring. fit.com.au. 0:23:29.693 --> 0:23:32.453 Para and ability dance w a as I said, it's. 0:23:32.453 --> 0:23:36.292 It's a charity advocating for dancers with disabilities and we 0:23:36.292 --> 0:23:39.493 run events with with that particular organization where we run 0:23:39.493 --> 0:23:49.732 competitions and fundraising activities. And that website is padwa.org.au. And 0:23:49.733 --> 0:23:51.652 that will also give you all the information. 0:23:51.653 --> 0:23:54.572 And for people listening outside of Perth, are there similar 0:23:54.572 --> 0:23:59.413 organizations or institutes like yours in other places in Australia? 0:23:59.453 --> 0:24:02.612 Yes there are um they may not be quite as 0:24:02.693 --> 0:24:05.933 um as structured as we have. And it may be 0:24:05.933 --> 0:24:08.653 that it needs to be done through more one on one, 0:24:08.892 --> 0:24:12.493 but I would recommend anyone who is interested to contact 0:24:12.493 --> 0:24:16.493 their dance sport state branch. So if they did a 0:24:16.493 --> 0:24:19.532 Google search on dance sport, it comes up with a 0:24:19.532 --> 0:24:22.773 different state branches on there, and they could contact their 0:24:22.773 --> 0:24:26.612 local representative in their state to find out what dance 0:24:26.612 --> 0:24:28.853 schools are offering. Vision impaired dancing. 0:24:28.973 --> 0:24:32.052 We'll leave on this, Darryl. So what is the next 0:24:32.092 --> 0:24:34.812 little dance event that you've got going on for both 0:24:34.852 --> 0:24:38.973 ballroom fit and Para and Ability dance here in Perth? 0:24:39.092 --> 0:24:42.372 So the next event we will be all working towards 0:24:42.372 --> 0:24:44.892 is a very big one for us, which is the 0:24:44.933 --> 0:24:49.292 WA Open Dance Sport Championships. Mhm. That is our equivalent 0:24:49.292 --> 0:24:52.652 of our state titles, and it's one that everybody within 0:24:52.653 --> 0:24:55.212 the state will be at. And that is going to 0:24:55.213 --> 0:25:00.653 be on the 21st of November at Curtin Stadium. Uh, 0:25:00.653 --> 0:25:03.132 and it will be, um, an all day event. 0:25:03.292 --> 0:25:06.972 That's fantastic. Well, on that note, I wish you well 0:25:06.973 --> 0:25:10.493 for firstly, the bingo night on the 2nd of October 0:25:10.532 --> 0:25:15.372 at Manning Senior Citizens Center. That's what you say. And 0:25:15.413 --> 0:25:17.973 best of luck in later in the year, in December 0:25:18.213 --> 0:25:22.932 for the national championships, for dance sport over there in Melbourne. 0:25:22.933 --> 0:25:24.973 And it's been a pleasure to speak to you once again, 0:25:24.973 --> 0:25:28.342 Darryl Davenport from Ballroom Fit and Padua. And I really 0:25:28.342 --> 0:25:30.702 appreciate your time today on In Plain Sight. Thank you 0:25:30.703 --> 0:25:31.343 very much. 0:25:31.622 --> 0:25:33.822 Thank you so much. I appreciate you having me on 0:25:33.822 --> 0:25:34.463 the program. 0:25:34.743 --> 0:25:37.583 Cheers. Well, thanks all. We've got time for this week, folks, 0:25:37.582 --> 0:25:39.583 and thanks for joining us. Speak to you next time. 0:25:39.582 --> 0:25:40.223 Bye for now. 0:25:52.142 --> 0:25:54.782 That concludes in Plain Sight for this week. Join us 0:25:54.782 --> 0:25:57.902 at the same time next week on Vision Australia Radio, 0:25:58.223 --> 0:26:03.063 VA radio digital and online at VA radio.org. You can 0:26:03.062 --> 0:26:06.542 also listen on demand by searching for In Plain Sight 0:26:06.542 --> 0:26:10.423 by Vision Australia Radio. Wherever you get your podcasts, or 0:26:10.423 --> 0:26:13.703 ask your smart device to play in Plain Sight by 0:26:13.703 --> 0:26:16.142 Vision Australia Radio. Thanks for listening. 0:26:16.382 --> 0:26:17.023 Thank you.