The Lithgow Old Time Dance Club welcomed 126 guests from across New South Wales for its annual ball held at the Lithgow Civic Ballroom on April 18.
Visitors travelled from Sydney, Hornsby, Penrith, the Central Coast, Newcastle, the Gold Coast, Katoomba, Oberon, Bathurst, Orange, Cowra, Dubbo, Canberra, Wollongong and several other regional centres to attend the long-running event.
Club committee member Bev Grazier said the annual ball continued to attract strong support due to its friendly atmosphere and quality venue.
“The atmosphere is very friendly. Old friends from dance clubs all over NSW meet up and socialise,” Bev said.
“The Civic Ballroom is a very big venue, and the new floor is fantastic for ballroom dancing.”
For the second consecutive year, Neil Ratcliff from Danztastic in Penrith provided the music program for both the Saturday night ball and the Sunday morning after-ball dance. Around 90 dancers returned for the Sunday event.
One of the highlights of the weekend was a performance by Neil and Anne Ratcliff of a newly written waltz dedicated to their late daughter Allison.
The event also delivered economic benefits to Lithgow, with visitors requiring local accommodation, meals and shopping during their stay. Many attendees also took the opportunity to visit Ironfest over the same weekend.
Funds raised from the Sunday dance were donated to the Lithgow Girl Guides, who assisted by preparing a sausage sizzle lunch for guests.
The Lithgow Old Time Dance Club has operated since the mid-1980s, with dances previously held at venues including the Lithgow Workies Club, PCYC and Hermitage Hall before moving to larger venues as attendance increased.
The club now meets every Wednesday from 7 pm for social dancing.
Club members say old-time dancing continues to provide important physical, mental and social benefits for participants of all ages.
“We dancers agree on all the benefits,” Michael O’Brien of Oberon said.
“It keeps you moving, keeps you alert mentally, provides good fun social interaction, and it is open to everyone.”
Bathurst dancer Marlene Welch said the event offered a strong sense of connection for attendees.
“I just love the floor, the atmosphere, it’s just like meeting family,” she said.
Bookings have already commenced for next year’s annual ball on April 17, 2027. For information, contact Bev Grazier on 0431 268 239.
