“These dance lessons for me are really sacred because it’s the only time I have for myself. We need an outlet. We need something for ourselves, especially those of us older women who’ve had children and are working full-time,” she says.
“I just concentrate on the ballet, and nothing else for the moment.”
Dropping into the bowl
For adults looking to hop on the skateboard, Wednesday nights in Wodonga are a good place to start. Anneliese Mason joined her first group classes there this July.
In adulthood, the 38-year-old mother is more aware of injury and her body’s limits. Regular practice has helped her feel more comfortable and confident.
Anneliese Mason and coach Al at Al’s Skate Co in Wodonga.
“It was very daunting to start something new. The first lesson was good, like I felt like I picked up a lot of stuff … when I went to my second lesson, I felt pretty useless again, like I’d forgotten everything,” Mason says.
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“So I kind of got a bit disheartened with that, but I was like ‘No, I’m going to stick to it and keep trying’.”
Although not a big watcher of the recent Olympics, she says that Arisa Trew’s gold medal winning campaign in the women’s park skateboarding event was “really cool.”
“Someone made a joke, maybe I could get good enough to be the oldest Olympic gold medallist … [but] I don’t want to go too crazy. Just enough to be able to feel comfortable on the skateboard.”
For Mason, skating is all about having a good time. And it’s something she can do with her five-year-old son, who was given his first board for his third birthday. To anyone considering something new, she says you just have to get past those initial nerves.
“It’s the courage to just go to your first lesson, even if you can take along a friend or someone to support you. And if you enjoy it, stick with it.”
Taking centre stage
In early 2023, the Sydney Male Choir performed at a concert in the NSW town of Bowral. It caught the eye of Southern Highlands local Paul Debono, who was nearing retirement.
“I did not have my sights set on singing. It never even crossed my mind. I was tossing around all the usual things, like golf.”
But it turned out to be just what the 62-year-old was looking for. A year on, he is a proud member of the group. He’s forged some great friendships, and volunteers as the secretary of the choir.
Paul Debono performs on stage with the Sydney Male Choir
“I think it’s stopped me becoming very insular in my retirement. I think it’s been very positive for my mental health, and it’s actually opened the door to other things as well,” he says.
Because singing was only the beginning. Debono is now trying amateur musical theatre. While he admits that he is not the “star pupil” when it comes to the dance aspect, he’s grateful for the path he’s followed.
“It’s turned me around a bit. You’ve got to do new things. You have to challenge yourself,” he says.
“For people that are out there that even have the slightest bit of interest in trying something like this, I absolutely encourage them to get out there and do it because the rewards are just so great.”
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