Ice Dancing - Michael & Jeanette
The last couple left standing in Melbourne?

(This page last updated 27th June 2009)

Anyone remember Ice Dancing? In spite of the extraordinary popularity of Ice Dance as a television spectacle (as seen at the Winter Olympics and the Friendly Games), this form of recreation for ordinary skaters has virtually died.

We met at adult figure skating sessions over twenty years ago, and began to skate elementary dances together from that time. Michael had first learned these dances at the famous Richmond Ice Rink in England, and had enjoyed skating for some years in New Zealand; Jeanette had always skated in Melbourne. Neither of us was exactly proficient at that stage! But when Michelle Taylor appeared at the Oakleigh rink, she began work on our group to introduce us to more dances and increase our skills.
We were both working then, and able to skate only once weekly, so progress was modest, but nevertheless, we found ice dancing to be really enjoyable, thanks in great measure to Michelle's enthusiasm, and as our mutual friendship developed, we became regular partners on the ice. (We were both married).

Because of the difficulties and frustrations of trying to dance during public sessions without music - like trying to learn Ballroom dancing in the middle of a game of footie - Michelle began to organise sessions for our group at the rink in Bendigo. As there were up to a couple of dozen of us, we were able to afford the ice time, and it became a regular event. Every month or so we'd make the two hour drive on a Saturday afternoon, and after a barbecue to fuel our energies, took to the ice for three hours of dance. This was perfect - the ice was invariably well prepared for us, and Michelle and John ensured we were provided with excellent music throughout.

1987

Michelle & John

As these became such popular occasions, from time to time Michelle arranged themes for dress-ups, which were very well supported, and made the dancing more fun than ever. We rather looked forward to these ourselves - it has to be said that Michael does rather enjoy dressing up.

"Western" ,1988                                                                                "Rock'n'Roll", 1988

"Astaire and Rogers", 1990

"Spanish" - 1992

Freddie with Sue

      

"Circus" - with good friends Shirley & Cam, 1991

   

      

Ah - those were the days ! But none of us were as young as we'd like to have been, and one by one, the group dwindled. However much we tried to attract younger skaters, ice dance seemed not to appeal, and eventually, we were no longer able to afford exclusive ice time. After several years, Michelle bowed out of organising the Bendigo sessions, and while we kept them going for another year or two, falling numbers finally made it impossible to continue.
Fortunately, the rink at Ringwood opened at about this time, and occasionally we were able to get time there, during which we could play our dance music. However, the inconsistency of the ice surface put off many skaters, and numbers fell further still.
So, for many years now, we have had to rely on walkmen and headphones for our music.

Recent years

With the virtual demise of ice dance, Jeanette began skating regularly with the Ladies group at Oakleigh, and Michael joined a small group at Ringwood, in order to learn a little about free skating. Each year, the ladies staged a show for their friends and families, and we sought to use those opportunities to show off whatever dance skills we'd managed to retain.

In 1999, our "number" featured Spanish music, to which we danced Starlight waltz, Argentine tango, and Paso doble patterns.

            

In 2000, we played it for laughs in reverse role, waltzing to music from La Traviata.

Then we got serious. Jeanette, bless her heart, thought we should enter the "Masters" competition. We, who'd never entered any sort of skating competition in our lives! Well, after that last effort, I had to agree to give it a go. Trevor worked on some free skating moves with which we stitched together dance sequences, using the Blues and Quickstep rythms, and music from Gershwin's "Summertime".

            

Never mind, the handicappers would fix us up next time round.

Masters Competition 2002

This year we faced more competition - with no age bracketting! So it was extremely unlikely that we could repeat the last performance!

And we were awarded 2nd prize for our efforts!

Surely, our last appearance? Encouraged by the irrepressible enthusiasm of our coach, Billy Schober, we were persuaded to give it another try. Not that we had any realistic hope of winning, but we still enjoyed skating together as much as ever, in spite of increasing physical problems which almost prevented me from participating at all!

To the music of "A Fine Romance", we performed a free dance routine in similar style to last year's. We were deservedly beaten into second place, but nevertheless we were more than delighted with the outcome.

Christmas Show 2005

Skating was a low priority for both of us this year, but we put a routine together for the Coffee Club's Christmas Show.
With only a few weeks to dream something up, we thought the only thing we could get away with was a comedy act.
So we performed to the fifties song "Sisters"

Jeanette was determined that I should be "the pretty one"

We leave it to others to decide!



Well, we enjoyed it at least!

Click here for a videoclip of parts of this routine!

Christmas Show 2007

We gave it a miss in 2006, apart from participating in the group number, and early in 2007 I underwent surgery for a replacement ankle joint, because it had been giving me so much trouble. Recuperation took many months, but by the end of 2007 I was just about able to stand on skates. Since we felt we could only get away with a comedy number, we chose the music of "Sweet Violets" and put something together. It was never properly rehearsed, and we went out onto the ice with little more than a general plan of action - which got a bit confused during the routine - but never mind, the spectators loved it. 






Click here for a videoclip of this routine!

As you can see, there was not much "technical merit" involved!

Christmas Show 2008

After that, and knowing that I wouldn't be skating very much longer, I really wanted to do a routine that involved some real skating. No longer able to do any fancy tricks, I suggested we return to dance, and I compiled a medley of waltzes - Viennese, Westminster and Starlight. Jeanette thought I was being over ambitious, and she was right, but I was determined to give it a go, and actually I believe we did fairly well. Certainly we agreed that it felt quite good. To give it a touch of comedy, I had suggested we do it in reverse role once again, and Jeanette humoured me, bless her! We wore Tyrolean costume, and I chose music to suit.



We took part in two group numbers, which left me very little time to dress and make up! The general opinion was that Jeanette made a splendid fellow.