IN RHYTHM FOR A GRAND OLD TIME
ZAZA Bozanic has been dancing all her life and now the 71-year-old from Geelong hopes to inspire the next generation of ballroom dancers.
“I started dancing on my dad’s feet, I probably did my first foxtrot when I was less than one,” she said. “My grandfather said straight away when I was born I started walking on my tippy toes.”
First in line among the new generation is Ms Bozanic’s four-yearold granddaughter, and dance partner, Evie Ross.
According to Ms Bozanic, Evie has already begun passing on her own knowledge. “She has a younger sister as well and she’s already teaching her to dance, which is a wonderful thing,” Ms Bozanic said.
Despite a lifelong passion for dance, it wasn’t until later in life that Ms Bozanic fell in love with ballroom dancing.
“I started about 30 years ago and I’ve been teaching for the last 25,” Ms Bozanic said.
“A friend of mine asked me to come along and support her, because she wanted to learn. She never turned up again, and here I am.”
Ms Bozanic, a regular at Geelong Ballroom Dance Club, said a younger demographic would help older members reconnect, socialise and dance.
“There’s a lot of single people who might not come because they don’t want to couple up, perhaps they’ve lost a spouse,” she said.
“They’re not ready for their relationship... (so) it’s not only for the children; it’s also for people my age.”
The club is conducting family classes that pair grandchildren with their grandparents, Ms Bozanic said.
“When you dance with someone, there’s interaction there. So there’s a wonderful way of bridging the gap,” she said.