Saturday night, October 19, saw the Lakes Room at Bairnsdale RSL filled to capacity as 12 participants with special abilities (often labelled disabilities), and their partners were presented to guests.
The night of excitement began when participants were transported to the venue in style by Bairnsdale Classic Car Club.
A joyous mood for the evening was set when For the World We’re Gonna Make by Pink was played to signal the start of official proceedings.
Flower girls, Bonnie and Pippa, and page boy Austin, preceded the parade. Participants, dressed in their finest, graced the shimmering red carpet to be presented with sparkling commentary provided by emcees Ange Lando and Susie Fry.
The audience’s applause and cheering reverberated around Bairnsdale.
Guests were enthralled as the participants showcased their dancing skills to Lady Gaga’s Hold My Hand followed by Queen’s Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
The audience then joined the participants on the dance floor as Can’t Stop the Feeling by Justin Timberlake played, completing the official presentation.
This Anything is Possible ball began as a “we should” moment more than 12 months ago and Saturday night was the culmination of a lot of planning, a lot of community support and a lot of commitment by participants and often their carers or support workers.
The 12 participants attended classes over eight weeks to learn the specially choreographed dances. Practice sessions, initially quite challenging, were soon filled with both laughter and pride as choreographer and dance teacher Emily Armistead skilfully taught the dance sequences and instilled confidence in participants.
Community involvement and encouragement was at its finest.
Bairnsdale RSL was unwavering in its support from the moment it was approached by organisers.
Wattle Point resident Trisha Butler crocheted wrist and lapel corsages which avoided sensory overload for the participants.
The Bairnsdale Lions offered financial support from reading the first article in the Bairnsdale Advertiser.
Some TAFE Gippsland hairdressing students volunteered their time to style participants hair.
The Lakes Room was exquisitely decorated by Sally Ann Manning and her team with native flowers donated from the community, fairy lights and battery candles.
Jemma Louise Cakes donated treats and created special memento cookies for each guest.
Albatross Photography donated her time for official photographs.
A guest summed the night up: “Thank you for allowing us to share a precious space with such good people. It was heartwarming, life affirming, uplifting and humbling. … you provided a memory not just for participants but also for us, that will never be forgotten and always treasured”.
