Eight members of the community are ready to strap on their dancing shoes to raise funds and awareness for cancers with the Cancer Council.
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Nell Shepard (Banter Group), Gennene Turner (Highlands Health Club), Glenn Wallace (Birch Store/Birch Restaurant), Kate Compagnoni (Compagnoni Accounting), James Borbone (Wingecarribee Shire Council), Jackie Meyers (Southern Highlands News), Sara Correia (Tempest Landscapes) and Declan Veness (Sweet Retreat Gelato) have all thrown their hat in the ring.
![Stars Jackie Meyers, Kate Compagnoni, Glenn Wallace, Gennene Turner, Nell Shepard, Declan Veness, Sara Correia and James Borbone are ready to hit the stage for Cancer Council's Dance for Cancer event. Picture by Briannah Devlin. Stars Jackie Meyers, Kate Compagnoni, Glenn Wallace, Gennene Turner, Nell Shepard, Declan Veness, Sara Correia and James Borbone are ready to hit the stage for Cancer Council's Dance for Cancer event. Picture by Briannah Devlin.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/123048163/7a469a02-2fc0-4057-8b0a-0f0366fcf4dd.JPG/r0_376_4032_3028_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The stars are paired up with dance teachers across the region, and will begin rehearsals this month, for the concert on May 13.
The event was launched on February 14, and stars and their partners are eager to smash the $130,000 fundraising record that was set in 2022.
2022 star and winner of the People's Choice Award Andy Kirk, who will MC the event, said it was a great experience and the chance to support many.
"We are doing this for special people," he said.
Community fundraising coordinator for the Cancer Council's southern office Hannah Moore said it was the opportunity for people to come together to make a difference.
"It's amazing to see these individuals take on the dance journey and seeing the impact and awareness they create amongst the Southern Highlands community of Cancer Council's work," she said.
The eager dancers will compete to be awarded Judge's Choice, People's Choice, Best Costume and Highest Fundraiser.
Mrs Oldbucks Pantry owner Carol Brown, The Fold magazine editor Penny Webb, and Dance Beat studio owner Ray Ray Plumridge, will judge performances on the night.
At the launch, each star found out who their partners were and which genres they would have to create a routine for:
- Nell Shepard and Keith Nicholson: Ballroom
- Gennene Turner and Eden Kelaher: Commercial jazz
- Glenn Wallace and Rebecca Westley: Ballet and contemporary
- Kate Compagnoni and Brooke Todd: Jazz
- James Borbone and Monique Barrios: Musical theatre
- Jackie Meyers and Issy Meyers: Jazz
- Sara Correia and Emily Turland: Jazz and Hip hop
- Declan Veness and Jordan Wolff: Hip Hop
Funds raised will be dedicated to Cancer Council NSW initiatives in the region, such as free financial, legal and emotional support, transport to treatments and prevention programs.
Since its inception in 2017, stars in the Highlands have raised more than $330,000 for the Cancer Council.
The Stars of the Highlands Dance for Cancer event will be held at the Mittagong RSL with a VIP experience from 5pm and the main event kicking off at 6pm.
For more information, head to Stars of the Highlands on Facebook or stars.cancercouncil.com.au/event/stars-of-the-highlands/home.
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