Move Makers - free professional development workshop

There’s an increasing demand for more dance facilitators to meet the needs of the growing ‘dance for older people’ field.

Gail Hewton and Julie Chenery of Gold Moves Australia (www.goldmovesaustralia.com.au) together bring over 80 years of combined professional experience as artists, educators and community dance practitioners and are leaders in this field.

Gail and Julie will be facilitating a free-two day professional development workshop at the Moranbah Community Centre from 10.00am to 3.00pm on Saturday and Sunday 17 and 18 July. Although designed for dance teachers, allied health and care practitioners as well as fitness, pilates and yoga instructors are welcome to discover how dance may enhance their practice with older people.

The workshop will include:

• pre-workshop preparation (reading, viewing, short quiz) – sent to participants following registration;

• basic background information about the field, older people and dance for health and wellbeing;

• exploring a range of contexts and settings of dance for and with older people (eg active & agile, people with mobility issues, aged care residents etc);

• showing some video examples;

• demonstration of some dance content;

• practically explore and discuss how you might adapt dance material to meet older participant needs;

• discussion of Gold Moves Australia’s principles that underpin effective delivery of dance for health and wellbeing;

• take home resources and useful links.

Each day you will:

• participate in an example class (Day 1: for active /active and agile, Day 2: for people with mobility issues);

• Discuss the principles of safely and effectively adapting your style for older people;

• Practically explore creating appropriate dance material.

You will need:

• to wear comfortable clothing and footwear suitable for moving;

• pen and paper if taking notes (We will supply notes and pre-workshop reading and viewing with some small tasks so bring what you want of that);

• a water bottle and food for lunch (tea and coffee will be provided). If you wish to purchase your lunch, there are a number of food options within walking distance.

Due to Covid-19 social distancing restrictions, this event has limited numbers. To reserve your place at the free workshop, you must call 1300 ISAACS or register by completing the form below.

Registrations will close Monday 12 July to allow time for pre-workshop preparation.

This cross regional initiative between Isaac and Mackay Regional Councils is supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund, a partnership between the Queensland Government and Local Governments to support local arts and culture in regional Queensland.

For further information, contact the Arts And Cultural Development Officer on 1300 ISAACS.

Council is committed to maintaining safe event practices that comply with the Queensland Government framework for COVID Safe events.

The workshop will operate under a COVID Safe Event Checklist, with a Statement of Compliance on display.

All attendees must comply with social distancing measures and use the hand sanitiser that will be available as required.

Please refrain from attending if you are unwell, have been in contact with a confirmed or suspected case of COVID-19, have returned from a declared COVID hotspot in the last 14 days or have been advised to self-isolate.