Around 100 couples took part, including dancers from New Zealand and Iceland, in the modern ballroom, Latin American and vogue styles categories.

Organised by former ballroom duo Margaret and Ray Reeve - who are also celebrating the 60th anniversary of their dance school this year - the competition has become an important event on the national ballroom calendar.

Mrs Reeve said dancers were always keen to compete at Wollongong because the audience was consistently supportive. She estimated around 500 people came to watch the dancers, who ranged in age from the under 13s to over 35s, perform this year.

"Everybody loves to come to this comp. The atmosphere and the audience participation, people clap and appreciate it, they don't sit there sitting on their hands," she said.

"Everybody has been very happy and enjoyed the dancing and the atmosphere."

She was impressed by the standard of the dancing, but said her favourite dance would always be the slow foxtrot.

"It's just the movement and the rhythm," she said.