Founding life members
Dame Peggy van Praagh DBE
Peggy van Praagh was the founding Artistic Director of The Australian Ballet, having arrived in Australia in 1960 to take over the Borovansky Ballet, following the death of its founder, Edouard Borovansky. She had had a distinguished performing and teaching career in the UK with Ballet Rambert and The Royal Ballet and was a close friend and colleague of Dr Peter Brinson, with whom she co-authored The Choreographic Art.
Peggy had a particular interest in choreographic development and was instrumental in initiating the first of the four choreographic seminars held at the New England University in Armidale NSW in 1969. Together with Bernard James, Shirley McKechnie and Keith Bain, she worked to ensure that these seminars became the focus of choreographic dialogue between contemporary dance and classical ballet, eventually leading to the formation of the Australian Association for Dance Education (now Ausdance) in 1977, after the final Armidale seminar in 1976. Peggy’s interest in dance education was ongoing until her death in 1990, when she bequeathed funds to four organisation—including Ausdance—for choreographic development. Read more about the van Praagh choreographic fellowships.
Dr Peter Brinson
Peter had a long and distinguished career as dance producer, animateur and scholar from the early 1950s after meeting Dame Peggy van Praagh. He was the author of many books, television programs, articles and dance reports, a consultant for numerous arts bodies around the world and a major advocate for dance and dance education. He designed Ballet For All, a very successful Royal Ballet touring program for schools, and was Chairman of the Gulbenkian Foundation.
Although he was an Englishman, Peter visited Australia several times between 1975 and 1993, establishing valued friendships in the arts community and encouraging young Australian dance artists to broaden their experience both at home and overseas. He will be long remembered for his generosity and dedication to dance in Australia, as a founder of Ausdance, and for his inspired vision of a dance-literate, dance-loving community served by a national dance network.
Professor Shirley McKechnie AO
Shirley McKechnie AO (1926-2022) had a career in dance that spaned seven decades, all ‘firsts’ in terms of achievement—founder of one of the first contemporary dance schools in Victoria in the 1950s; founder of one of the earliest contemporary dance touring companies as director, choreographer and performer (Australian Contemporary Dance Theatre 1963–73); founder of the first tertiary dance degree course (Rusden State College, 1975); a driving force behind the Armidale choreographic seminars (1974–76) and a founder of the Australian Association for Dance Education (Ausdance, 1977).
Shirley was a member of the Council of the Victorian College of the Arts (1974–88); assisted with the founding of the first dance education company (Tasdance, 1981); the founding chairperson of the Tertiary Dance Council of Australia (1985–86); interviewer and researcher for the National Library of Australia (1980s–90s); guest artist, The Australian Ballet (<em>Nutcracker</em>, 1992); National President, Ausdance (1992 – 94); founder of Green Mill Dance Project (1993 – 97); first Australian Research Council grant for choreographic research (Unspoken Knowledges, 1998–2000); Professor of Dance (VCA, 1998); elected as Honorary Fellow, Australian Academy of the Humanities (1998). Shirley is an Honorary Professorial Fellow at the VCA/University of Melbourne and continued as a consultant and a leading advocate for dance in Australia until her death in September 2022.
Keith Bain OAM
Keith was a much-loved and respected Australian dance artist/teacher who served on Ausdance state and national boards for many years. Keith trained with Gertrud Bodenwieser in Sydney and danced with the Bodenwieser Ballet before taking over the Bodenwieser Dance Centre, with Margaret Chapple, after Bodenwieser’s death in 1968. Keith founded the Australasian Teachers Contemporary Dance Association (CDA), and the Society of Dance Artists (SODA).
Keith has been chairman of the dance panel of the Australia Council for the Arts, he founded the Dancers’ Picnic (later to become the Australian Dance Awards), and has received two Australian Dance Awards: Lifetime Achievement Award (1999) and the award for Services to Dance Education (2003). Other awards include the Queen Elizabeth Silver Jubilee Medal for services to dance and theatre, and a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1985. Keith Bain established, and was for many years, head of the movement studies course at the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA). Keith received an Order of Australia Medal in 1988.
Keith bequeathed funds to Ausdance National to establish a new travel scholarship for young dance artists when he passed away in 2012. Read more about the Ausdance National Keith Bain travel scholarships.
Dr Warren Lett
Dr Warren Lett established the first Master of Arts in counselling (Creative Arts Therapy) at La Trobe University. He has worked as a counsellor in private practice; as a consultant to organisations, and a Director of Melbourne Institute for Experiential and Creative Arts Therapy (MIECAT). In 1974, Dr Lett was invited to the Dance Residential School and Choreographic Workshop at New England University, Armidale. He attended as a psychologist, working with the choreographers on the creative process, and in 1977 he was involved in forming a steering committee with Dame Peggy van Praagh, Shirley McKechnie, Keith Bain and Donna Greaves, from which the Australian Association for Dance Education was formed.
As an educator, Dr Lett’s involvement in dance helped gain a more prominent and credible academic profile for the dance profession and he provided a stronger voice in the community for dance. He has made a lasting contribution to Ausdance publications about the value of the arts and dance in, and for, therapy. Dr Lett passed away in 2019.
Johanna (Hanny) Exiner
Dancer, teacher and choreographer, Hanny Exiner danced with Gertrud Bodenwieser and was greatly influential to the development of dance and dance/movement therapy in Australia. Born in Vienna, Hanny became a student of Bodenwieser there, eventually emigrating to Australia in 1939, where she set up a creative dance school in Melbourne. In 1970 Hanny became a full-time dance lecturer at the Kindergarten Teachers College in Melbourne (later the Institute of Early Childhood Development), and in 77 she introduced the graduate diploma of movement and dance—Australia’s first postgraduate dance qualification.
Hanny was a founding member of Ausdance, and the Victorian Branch’s first President in 1977. She continued to teach and publish throughout the 1980s, and the Hanny Exiner Fund was established in 2001 to provide financial assistance for people undertaking research in the field of Dance-Movement Therapy. The fund aims to encourage a broad range of research and to increase understanding of Dance-Movement Therapy methodology and its effects.
Donna Greaves
Donna was the Dance Officer on the Theatre Board for the Australia Council for the Arts when the Australian Association for Dance Education was founded in 1977, and she formed part of the founding steering committee.
National honorary life members
Robina Beard OAM
Robina has excelled in many roles throughout her long career in dance as a performer, director, choreographer and educator. As one of Australia's most prominent performers on and teachers has taken place on television, stage and behind the scenes. She was President of Ausdance NSW and a member of the Ausdance National Council for many years; was a key organiser of the NSW Dancers’ Picnic in the 1980s with Ausdance Honorary Life Members Keith Bain and Valda Craig, and she assisted the Dancers’ Picnic to transition into the Australian Dance Awards in 1997. She has chaired the Dance Awards selection panel since that time and has worked closely with Ausdance National to ensure the highest standards in the Awards’ selection processes and the curated performances.
Robina also chaired Ausdance National’s advisory panel which developed the Australian Guidelines for Dance Teachers and the national competency standards in1998, both major Ausdance projects. She was the Australian President of the Cecchetti Society for many years, where she encouraged teachers to adopt the new competency standards and undertake further study in nationally accredited courses, thus raising teaching standards and demonstrating real leadership, to the admiration of many in the profession. Robina has also served as an examiner for the HSC Classical Ballet syllabus in NSW, and has taught dance at primary, secondary and tertiary levels in NSW schools and universities.
Robina’s long-standing commitment to Indigenous dance has led to her work with many prominent Indigenous artists, and she introduced courses in ballet, jazz and tap dance at the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development (NAISDA) College where she taught for six years. Robina received an Order of Australia Medal in 2011.
Associate Professor Ralph Buck
Ralph is a strong advocate for an arts experience for all children through dance. He has been President of Ausdance Queensland, and both National President and Vice-President of Ausdance from 1994 – 1998. With an inspired vision for dance education, Ralph has promoted many facets of dance education with his teaching and writing. He was a dance writer for the 1994 National Curiculum, and an Ausdance representative on the National Advocates for Arts Education (NAAE) for many years. He was also instrumental in establishing the World Alliance for Arts Education (WAAE), and is currently Head of Dance Studies and Associate Dean International in the Faculty of Creative Arts & Industries at the University of Auckland.
Ralph has provided sustained support to Ausdance over many years, and his personal generosity, optimism and unconditional dedication to the dance community at all levels has earned him love and respect throughout Australia.
Lee Christofis AM
With great knowledge, understanding and insight, Lee is unrivalled as a dance educator, broadcaster, writer and advocate. Lee served as a National Vice President of Ausdance from 1996 – 2004 and as curator of many large dance events, has been instrumental in raising the standard of dialogue and debate about dance in Australia. Lee’s special skill is in articulating the achievements of dance, as well as its concerns, and he has used these skills in the wider service of the whole Australian dance community, and particularly in the service of Ausdance.
Lee was Curator of Dance at the National Library of Australia from 2006 – 2013, and has been an advisor to the Australian Dance Awards selection panel since 2012. He continues to write about dance for many publications, including the Australian Book Review.
Shane Colquhoun AM
Shane’s commitment to Ausdance and his care for its people have been much valued by the organisation. He was President of Ausdance WA for several years before serving as the National President from 2000 – 05. Shane brought perspective and vision to Ausdance, with his strong sense of political judgment, a respect of federal and state bureaucracies, and a wide knowledge of the dance industry. His wisdom, experience and exceptional communication skills have made a wonderful and long-term contribution to the network. Shane was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2020.
Valda Craig
Valda was one of Australia’s most highly qualified and active dance educators and advocates during the 1980s and 90s. She made dance experiences possible and enjoyable for hundreds of people, worked passionately on the Dancers’ Picnic and many other Ausdance activities. She was Chair of the Tertiary Dance Council of Australia from 1986 – 93 and has been an ambassador for Australian dance with her involvement in the World Dance Alliance and the American Dance Festival. Valda received an Australian Dance Award for Services to Dance Education in 2011.
Julie Dyson AM
As National Director of Ausdance since the very beginning, Julie has been a powerful advocate for dance and a visionary leader for over three decades. She has been an inspirational and influential figure in the growth and development of both Ausdance and Australia’s diverse dance community. With her strong leadership and clear-sighted vision, her passion for research and choreographic development and her tireless advocacy for arts education, Julie’s contribution to the dance sector both at home and overseas leaves an important legacy. Her passion, generosity and diplomacy have made her one of our great mentors and a respected elder in the dance community. Julie moved on from her position as National Director in December 2012, but she continues to work through the political and education systems to promote Australian dance. Julie was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2007. Read more about Julie Dyson.
Annie Greig
Annie has been part of the Ausdance family since the very early days. She was one of the earliest paid officers of Ausdance NSW, an Ausdance state President in both NSW and Tasmania and a National Vice President from 1998 – 2004. Annie also has great commitment to Indigenous dance education and worked from 1986-1990 as Course Coordinator, and then Director, of the National Aboriginal Islander Skills Development Association (NAISDA College). Annie was the artistic director of one of Australia’s leading dance companies—Tasdance— from 1997 to 2015.
Annie’s work as an educator and public advocate for dance continues. In 2003 she received a Centenary Medal for services to dance and in 2008 Tasdance received a Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award. In 2004 she was made an Honorary Life Member of Ausdance National. Annie passed away in November 2021.
Rachael Jennings
Rachael joined Ausdance National in 2001. She made a valuable contribution to the development and growth of Ausdance as the peak body for dance in Australia. She established new communications and marketing approaches for the Ausdance network and transitioned the organisation from print to digital publications and communications.
Rachael’s work with international dance organisations and academics ensured their research had an online presence through our website and enabled Australia to be recognised internationally as a leading publisher of dance research.
Rachael has continued to offer advice and support in a voluntary capacity, and remains a most valued and generous volunteer in a new era of Ausdance National’s 43-year life.
Nicki Lo Bianco
Nicky is a dance educator and librarian who helped to establish the National resources library. She worked with the state Directors to implement methods for storing, cataloguing and making the vast Ausdance collection of papers, manuscripts, reports and books more accessible. Nicki undertook this huge task on a voluntary basis with extraordinary commitment, professionalism, patience and generosity.
Sandra Macarthur-Onslow
Sandra joined Ausdance National in 1991, at a time when the organisation was taking on a greater leadership role, particularly as an advocate with a higher political profile in Canberra. Sandra made a valuable contribution to the development and growth of Ausdance as the peak body for dance in Australia. She established new financial and reporting mechanisms for the Ausdance network and developed financial management systems that provided much-needed stability to the organisation. Her influence and spirit are now part of Ausdance history.
Dr Jeff Meiners
Jeff first worked with Ausdance soon after his arrival in Australia in the 1990s when he developed and managed Ausdance NSW Outreach projects. He also worked closely with Ausdance National from that time as a member of the National Advocates for Arts Education, as an adviser to curriculum writers and organisations such as the Australia Council, the Australian Curriculum, Reporting and Assessment Authority (ACARA) and as a dedicated teacher and mentor to young dance artists. He has played a central role in developing Ausdance’s response to many parliamentary inquiries and policies.
Jeff inspires those he works with, especially in his ability to work with decision-makers and influence policy at the highest levels. He is an insightful thinker and communicator, sharing his knowledge of teaching and learning with dance practitioners and educators, community groups, funding bodies and policy makers. As co-chair of the Education & Training Network of the World Dance Alliance Asia Pacific, Jeff continues to provide access to national and international networks, organising partnerships and major international projects with organisations such as Dance and the Child International (daCi), and is currently Chair-elect of daCi. He continues to represent Australia at dance and arts education conferences as a researcher and practitioner whose work is recognised internationally. Jeff is currently Lecturer, Arts Education (Dance), Education Futures, at the University of South Australia.
Professor Elizabeth More AM
Elizabeth became involved with Ausdance National as a member of the Council for Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (CHASS). At that time Elizabeth was Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Macquarie University, and at the University of Canberra. She won a Scully-Borovansky scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London and had subsequently worked with Harlequin Ballet and as a classical ballet dancer in theatre, television and the advertising industry. She had also won a prestigious Silver Medal at the Royal Academy of Dance Genée ballet competition.
Elizabeth has had a stellar academic career following her transition from dancer to completing a PhD at UNSW, all the while maintaining her interest in dance. She was Chair of Ausdance NSW for 11 years and became a valued board member of Ausdance National’s SCOPE program, a partnership with the Australia Council that provided further education opportunities for dancers in transition. In 2017 she was elected to the newly-formed Australian Dance Council. Elizabeth is Dean of the Australian Institute of Management School of Business. Elizabeth has brought her extensive experience in consulting to both private and public sector organisations, including Ausdance and, as a current board member of Shaun Parker & Company and past Board member of Sydney Dance Company, the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA), and as Chair of its Academic Board. Elizabeth was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2005.
Professor Susan Street AO
Susan served as Ausdance National President for six years from 2006 – 12, generously sharing her knowledge and leadership. She was Dean of the Creative Industries Faculty at QUT, head of the dance departments at QUT and the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and is currently Executive Director, QUT Precincts and Chair of the Queensland Art Gallery board. Sue has an outstanding record in senior leadership positions in dance, both within the university sector and in the broader arts community. Sue received an Australian Dance Award for Services to Dance Education in 1999, and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 2014.
Associate Professor Cheryl Stock AM
Cheryl was a founding member of Ausdance, serving as a Vice-President for four years, and then as National President from 1996 – 99. A dancer, teacher, performer, director, choreographer and writer, Cheryl has devoted her life to dance and to ensuring that her skills are used to serve the wider Australian dance community, and particularly in the service of Ausdance. Cheryl received the Australian Dance Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2003, and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 2014.
Paul Summers
Paul has made a significant contribution to professional dance over many years, particularly in Melbourne, where he has produced and promoted the work of independent artists and small companies, and been a valued mentor to emerging artists. His wisdom and great personal integrity have been important in shaping many careers, and he is well known as one of the most honest observers of the Australian dance environment.
Paul established the boards for Kage Physical Theatre and Balletlab and served both organisations for over five years. He was Treasurer and then President of Ausdance Victoria for ten years and Vice President of Ausdance National for six years, and was honoured with an Honorary Life Membership of Ausdance National for his services to dance.
Hilary Trotter
Hilary worked tirelessly and efficiently for Ausdance from the very beginning and helped to draft the first Constitution in 1978. She initiated many Ausdance projects, including Safe Dance research in 1989, and was the National President from 1980—1986. Hilary also served as National Executive Officer for five years, and although she retired officially in 1990, she continued to be indispensable to the organisation because of her fine skills in writing, editing and publishing. Hilary’s generosity and ongoing commitment to Ausdance have been invaluable.
Margaret Walker, OAM
Margaret was a champion in the cause of dance of every kind, and of a dance for everyone. She studied ballet with Borovansky in the early 40s, but as a motivated humanitarian and political activist, she chose to dedicate herself to a seemingly more egalitarian form of dance. She was a passionate pioneer of folk and character dance, and always maintained her conviction of the importance and power of giving every child the opportunity to dance. She passed away in 1996, but her legacy lives on.