Liam McNally
Star Weekly is taking a look back at 2023. Here’s one of our biggest stories from last year.
More than a dozen dance schools from across the west are coming together for a charity gala to raise money for Exford Primary School.
Melton’s Galactic Dance and Events owner and teacher Andrew Micallef was inspired to organise the Exford Primary Charity Gala after having students and family members connected to the May 16 school bus collision on Exford Road.
“Walking into the studio and having so many families affected completely broke my heart,” he said.
“I’m really trying to let these poor families know that the performing arts are behind them and doing what we can to help them out.
“This is a cause that we need to get behind and we hope the whole community can as well … It’s a lifetime thing for these kids so we’re hoping to make this a yearly occasion.”
Mr Micallef said this is the first time any of these schools will perform together in a non-competitive environment.
“There’s never been anything like it in the western suburbs … The variety of performances, music, the high energy – it’ll be quite a spectacle,” he said.
“The fact that the dance community has come together for this cause is really inspiring … When it comes to these kinds of events everyone wants to put their best foot forward so that’s exactly what we’re going to get.”
Exford Primary school captain Lily and has been a student at Galactic Dance since she was three years old. She said it’s incredible how much support the school has received from different communities.
“It is even more special knowing that the fundraiser organised by Drew and Galactic and the other dance studios will not only provide support to the school but also a chance to entertain our community,” she said.
“Although I wasn’t affected physically by the crash, it was very heart-breaking and overwhelming, knowing that my friends and classmates, including two of my fellow school captains were hurt.
“I look forward to dancing in the charity gala along with the other studios and helping to support my school community.”
The gala will include performances by comedian Jordan Barr, Paul Rizzo as Michael Jackson, Enya Angel and the Robert Sturrock Dancers, Western Ballet Project, Flash Dance Performing Arts Studio, Dance Effects, Phoenix Dance Company, The Dance Centre, The Edge, Dream Entertainment Studios, Instyle Dance Company, The Dance Room, Energy Dance Co, Eynesbury Dance Scene, Millennium Dance Concepts and Galactic Dance and Events.
The Exford Primary Charity Gala will take place on August 20 from 6pm at the Quin Auditorium in Braybrook.
Details: www.trybooking.com/CKARE
