Insight into the world of a professional dancer

From keen young dancers through to those who have followed former Australian Ballet Principal Artist Amy Harris’ career over many years, the East Grampians Health Service Auxiliary’s fundraising event featuring the popular ballet dancer proved an interesting insight into the world of a professional dancer.

More than 150 people attended ‘An Evening with Amy Harris’ to hear about Amy’s early days of dance, starting as a three-year-old at Rosengreen’s School of Dance in Ararat, and progressing through to the Carole Oliver School of Ballet in Ballarat, the Australian Ballet School and finally her acceptance into the Australian Ballet in 2002.

Photos of her career accompanied the talk, including many focusing on her spectacular career with the Australian Ballet and her eventual promotion to Principal Artist in 2018.

The evening also included performances from Ararat Dance Centre and Dynamic District Dance Studio.

The event raised funds for specialised patient scales for the EGHS Dialysis Unit. The provision of new patient scales will improve the quality of care delivered to dialysis patients. The equipment will enable staff to have access to accurate weights which will enable the individual dialysis sessions to be tailored to the needs of each patient.

EGHS Community Liaison Officer Jodie Holwell said the evening was a wonderful success and everyone who attended enjoyed Amy’s presentation.

“Amy’s story is a fascinating one and she shared the ups and downs of a professional ballet career in a candid and down to earth way that entertained our audience, which ranged from aspiring young dancers through to many who knew Amy as she was growing up and who have followed her career with interest over the years,” Ms Holwell said.

“After Amy’s talk, it was lovely to see so many people wanting to speak to her and many of the youngest audience members keen to have a photo taken with her – she is a big inspiration to Ararat’s littlest dancers.

“Thank you to Amy for your inspiring talk and giving up your time to return to Ararat, to Ararat’s two dance schools and to everyone who attended to raise funds for new dialysis equipment at East Grampians Health Service.”