Tripping the light fantastic, courtesy of Voltaren and a just dash of Baileys

Key points

• About 750 seniors attended the Big Bad Dance at Melbourne Town Hall.
• The event is part of this month’s Victorian Seniors Festival.
• The festival includes about 3000 events across the state.

Pauline and Roger Tingley are both in their 80s, but over three days they have managed to clock up about 13 hours of dancing.

The secret to their stamina? Voltaren foot rubs and plenty of shut-eye, sometimes with the help of a sleeping tablet.

Jessica Coyle and Zyg Wawrzycki, both wearing red, at the Big Bad Dance.Credit:Justin McManus

The Bairnsdale-based husband and wife met at dancing lessons 25 years ago and it’s been their hobby ever since, involving regular trips to Melbourne to hit the dance floors together.

“I found the love of my life at 55,” said Roger, 80.

Despite nursing a few achy muscles from grooving in Hawthorn on Saturday then Springvale on Sunday, they were beaming as they whirled around Melbourne Town Hall in their matching turquoise blue outfits on Monday.

The main hall was filled with colour as about 750 seniors – many arriving in pairs wearing glittery coordinated ensembles – for the annual Victorian Seniors Festival’s Big Bad Dance led by a 12-piece live band with an average age of 70.

Pauline and Roger Tingley hitting the dance floor.Credit:Justin McManus

“It’s a wonderfully happy atmosphere and the music really lifts you up,” said Pauline, 81.

The Tingleys switch on their stereo and practise their moves most evenings at home after a hot chocolate with a dash of Baileys.

“It’s the number one activity to keep you mentally, physically and socially active,” Pauline said.

Ballroom dancing may seem a lost art to some, but Victorian Seniors Festival manager Chris Reidy said the hall on Monday felt electric because everyone in there was passionate about dancing.

“They’re all dealing with different things but being able to have a great time is what the festival is about,” Reidy said.

He likened it to younger generations enjoying modern music at a festival or nightclub.

“It’s exactly the same vibe. You might get older and slower, but you don’t lose that buzz,” Reidy said.

“Each generation has its music and many of us met our partners or friends with music and dance.”

A couple holds hands as they take a break from dancing.Credit:Justin McManus

Aileen Leong, 77, and Robert Gray, 73, have been friends and dancing partners for 11 years after they met at a studio in Bentleigh.

“Some people just sync with each other, they just happen to move well together,” Gray said.

Their social connection also came at a time they needed it. Leong, from the CBD, is widowed and Doveton-based Gray is divorced.

“It’s a lonely life but this is great – we are together as dancing partners,” Leong said.

Robert Gray and Lisa Ng are skilled dancers.Credit:Justin McManus

Like many at the town hall on Monday, both are dedicated dancers and have had lessons to hone their skills.

It’s why despite the large crowd, no one is bumping into each other. Gray explained this was “floor craft”: the art of using your peripheral vision to be aware of where you are in relation to everyone else.

Zyg Wawrzycki, from Eumemmerring in Melbourne’s south-east, has been dancing since he was 13 and said it was thanks to the activity that he met most of his friends — and, he joked, a few wives.

“Too many blokes are afraid to learn to dance,” said Wawrzycki, 75. “They think it’s a bit sissy but there’s nothing better.

About 750 seniors showed off their moves at Melbourne Town Hall.Credit:Justin McManus

“It keeps you fit and young … and you get to meet a lot of people.”

Wawrzycki and his dancing partner, 67-year-old Jessica Coyle, aren’t together romantically – Coyle is married – but they started dancing about six months ago after finding they moved comfortably as a duo.

Coyle, who has been dancing for 30 years, said the mental benefits from having to learn so many steps shouldn’t be underestimated.

She was awestruck by Monday’s event. “It has to be the best day of my life in dancing. It’s so different, there are so many people.”

The Victorian Seniors Festival, which runs this week with about 3000 events across the state, includes several dance activities.

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