BREAKING out of their comfort zones to nail the jive has helped two Limestone Coast identities claim bragging rights in the inaugural Stand Like Stone Foundation Streaming with the Stars showcase.
The innovative virtual event was launched last month to encourage positive community spirit during the COVID-19 pandemic, replacing the foundation’s cancelled 2020 Swinging With The Stars major fundraiser.
Hundreds of votes flooded in for the seven entries, which put their own spin on the jive after being guided by a virtual dance lesson from Hype Dance Studio director Kim Cella.
The tightly-contested people’s choice title was claimed by crowd favourite and Robe Mayor Alison Nunan – along with her dancing lobster mascot – amassing 127 of the 315 votes cast.
After much deliberation from judges, 2020 Swinging with the Stars contestant Randall Jones and his youngest daughter Evie, 8, were awarded judges’ choice for their flawless performance and mastered dance lifts.
Both Ms Nunan and Mr Jones said they had a blast while learning and performing their upbeat routines and would do it again in a heart beat.
Mr Jones said it was an ideal way to keep the foundation in the forefront of people’s minds.
“I knew I was going to be involved from the word go and I felt I was obliged because I was meant to be dancing anyway, but could not,” he said.
“I asked all three of my daughters and told them I had to learn this dance and asked who would be doing it with me.
“Both Brooklyn, 14 and Ashton, 17, were not so sure but Evie was keen, which I thought would be the case anyway.”
Already signing up for next year’s Swinging with the Stars event, Mr Jones said it was daunting learning the dance steps, spending around three hours over a period of nights learning the swivels and turns of the jive.
“It felt like I would remember three steps and forget the ones before and after,” he said.
“It was just me and Evie who learnt the whole dance, the other girls learnt half of it, but lost interest.
“They were there cheering us on and telling us if we were doing it wrong from the side lines.”
Mr Jones said he was pleased the judges had noticed the technical skills of their entry.
Dancing on the Robe Marina with her dancing lobster friend, Ms Nunan said she was thrilled to claim the people’s choice win.
With Robe District Council a long-time supporter of the Stand Like Stone Foundation, Ms Nunan said she did not hesitate to join the virtual “friend-raiser”.
“Through the entries, there was a couple of cute animals and all sorts of things going on so I did not think I had a chance,” she said.
With her unique dancing partner a clear eye-catching element to her entry, Ms Nunan said the iconic lobster mascot was the right choice.
“The lobster suit gets a fairly good run in Robe and is pretty well-known around town,” she said.
“My friend said she would be my partner, but only if she could remain nameless, so that’s when the suit came into play.”
Ms Nunan said the dance was originally going to be performed in front of the iconic Robe Obelisk, but weather on the day of recording forced a change.
“There was gale force winds that day and we could not even get out of the car,” she said.
“We had to modify the dance and not include our lift as we thought we might end up in the water.”
Participants came from all areas of the Limestone Coast and Stand Like Stone Foundation chief executive officer Anne Kerr said it was great to see district areas involving themselves in a worthwhile initiative.
“Everyone did such a wonderful job and we hope everybody had some fun dancing with their friends and family or while watching the videos,” Ms Kerr said.
“I now think everybody is keen to get back on track and focus on Swinging with the Stars for next year.
“We are taking ideas from Streaming with the Stars and will definitely be thinking about how we can involve other people in our annual fundraiser.”
