‘WE’RE DANCING QUEENS’
These Physie ladies are rocking leotards – six decades on!
They’ve been dancing for more than 60 years but for the ladies at the Sylvania Physie Club, nothing can stop them from attending their weekly rehearsal night – not even torrential rain!
When Woman’s Day joins the ladies on a wet and windy Thursday at their community hall in Sydney’s south, the over60s group are already limbering up, raring to hit the dancefloor.
“When you see a Physie girl you can just tell... it’s the way she carries herself,” says Sharon Barry, 67.
Since the 1920s, the uniquely Australian form of dance has garnered a following across the nation from women and girls who want to increase their fitness and flexibility.
This tight-knit group have been donning leotards and dancing since they were children, with some starting at just three years old. They’ve had periods away from one another while competing in different Physie groups, but have largely danced together since the ’90s.
FAMILY AFFAIR
Sharon says she performed up until her two daughters were born and has carried on the family Physie tradition by recently enrolling her three grandchildren in the sport.
“I’m lucky as I not only get to do it with my daughters but with my grandbabies, too. We try to match as they like to wear the same colour as me,” Sharon smiles.
“They come up to me and say, ‘Ooh, I’m so proud of you, Nanny!’”
It’s a story that is echoed around the group as they share their favourite memories of Physie, proudly passing their photobooks around the table.
“I’m the new girl on the block as I’ve only been doing it for 27 years,” Debby Johnson laughs, pointing at a picture of herself in the late ’90s.
The 64-year-old now dances along with her four daughters. It’s a tradition she shared with her mother until she passed away last year, who was committed to Physie until the end.
The sport even transcends generations, with one of the group’s oldest members, Barbara “Barb” Pegg, 81, competing alongside her teammate Robyn Lucas’ mum in the 1970s.
“Being friends with everyone for so long is just wonderful,” says Barb.
HEALTHY MIND & BODY
It’s the motto that founder Hans Christian Bjelkepetersen lived by when he launched Bjelke-petersen Physical Culture at a Hobart medical gymnasium in 1892. By the 1920s, Physie was being taught to children in 80 schools across Sydney and Melbourne. There are now more than 130 BJP Physie clubs across Australia.
“It is a good thing for older women to do as it’s safe with injuries,” says Karen Ovens, 62.
“You can participate when you’re three years old up to 93!”
The group is passionate about making time for each other, on and off the dancefloor.
“The competitions are important but not as much as the other stuff. It’s great, especially for girls who have a young family – it’s an hour for them,” says Robyn, 65.
“Sometimes we have wine, cheese and bickie nights just for a catch-up!”
Instructor Jane Jones, 60, who has been teaching Physie classes for almost 20 years, says she is proud of her ladies. “They are a tight-knit group of beautiful, confident women who appreciate each other immensely,” she says.
“The best thing about it is the fun and friendships you make along the way. Our classes are full of fun and laughter.”
Dazzling in their bright blue competition wear, the back-toback national champions are gearing up to hold onto their title at the national event in late November.
It’s an exciting time as this year it’s being held in the newly refurbished Concert Hall at the Sydney Opera House.
“No one says they made it through to nationals, everyone says ‘I made it to the Opera House!’” says Karen.
“To be able to compete on that stage is very special, and to win there is even better!”
‘The best thing about it is the friendships you make’