The Silver Belles dancers needed no reminding but on Friday morning Wollongong shoppers saw for themselves that old age is no barrier to having fun.
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As soon as Kenny Loggins classic hit song Footloose started playing, the fantastic group of mature, young at heart ladies from all walks of life got to work entertaining the unsuspecting shoppers near Coles supermarket.
And their impromptu flash dance mob soon had young and old alike dancing along.
The 11am performance was the first of two the ladies did on Friday, with their 1pm show in Wollongong Central proving just as popular with the assembled crowd.
Leading the charge were two of the The Silver Belles’ oldest members, Dawn Treble and Myra Bradley.
‘’Today has been just lovely. [Dance teachers} Carole and Denise have done such a great job teaching us these numbers and it has been brilliant,’’ Mrs Treble said.
Mrs Treble, 84 and Mrs Bradley who turns 84 in June, said they still get real enjoyment from being a part of a fantastic group of mature, young at heart ladies from all walks of life who come together to tap dance for fun and fitness.
The 45 strong group also take pleasure in performing for charity organisations and senior citizens in the community.
Founding member Mrs Treble said The Silver Belles also enjoyed putting on the odd concert or two.
‘’We have lots of fun,’’ she said.
‘’We go to retirement villages and nursing homes. It’s lovely to go to retirement homes and nursing homes and see the joy we bring to people who can’t get out.’’
Mrs Treble was one of 12 ladies who took part in the first group get-together 28 years ago.
‘’Because we rehearsed at St Stephens Church in Port Kembla, the minister named us St Stephens Belles,’’ she said.
‘’We soon changed our name to The Silver Belles. The last 28 years have been fantastic.’’
Mrs Bradley agreed, as did 80-year-old Maureen Fairhurst, who added dancing kept the brain and body ticking along nicely.
‘’Dancing is so much fun and the friendships you make are an added bonus,’’ she said.
Dance teacher Carol Pritzkow said group members ranged in age from 50 to 84.
She said the group decided to do the flash mob dance to have fun and entertain the crowd.
‘’We also wanted to get together and show everyone that when you get a little bit older you should be able to get out there and still enjoy yourself,’’ Miss Pritzkow said.
The Silver Belles rehearse twice a week and welcome new members. Details on 0414 787 888.