'Dancing is my happy pill': Gail's tonic to a good life

The Noosa local has been dancing all her life and established RIPE Dance in 2012 to provide dance classes for seniors with diverse ability, mobility and health issues.

She now has 80-plus participants 56-97 years, mostly novice dancers, regularly attending classes.

"We structure classes just for older people," Gail said. "We match their abilities.

"I've danced professionally for 45 years but have been dancing my whole life - 60-odd years.

"I love dancing. It's my happy pill.

"I trained in all dance - ballet, contemporary, ballroom... you name it."

She has developed a highly successful program approach to improve or maintain participants' physical, mental, cognitive, and social well-being by integrating engaging dance and music with evidence-based fall prevention exercises and other health-affecting strategies.

Gail is on a mission to help increase the number of facilitators offering programs to enable more older people to move, feel, and live better through dance.

"They must enjoy it because the same people keep coming back to me," she said.

"We only use music that they know which makes them more comfortable. Many participants have never danced or had limited experience.

"People say they don't dance but that's rubbish. Everyone dances once music starts. You can even dance in your hospital bed."

Gail is one of the recipients of the inaugural Grant Burge Wines 30 Leaving Their Mark award, which champions and recognises the extraordinary achievements of 30 everyday Australians that are making a difference.

Her award was in the culture section and enjoyed meeting the judges including 2022 Australian of the Year Dylan Alcott.

"I don't do this to win awards," she said.

"But it was such an honour and a big surprise which gives recognition to our work.

"Now we are looking to train more people to teach dance moves to older people."