Well known Perth ballroom dance teacher Daele Fraser is stepping down from teaching class at her Morley studio, but her love of dance will continue as a judge and adjudicator.
“I’m selling the building which I’ve owned for almost 44 years and retiring from teaching after 62 years,” Daele tells Have a Go News. “But I intend to enter a new phase as a judge and adjudicator within Australia and overseas.
“I have received lots of invitations to attend various world championships and I plan to travel.”
Daele Fraser OAM has been a prominent figure on the Perth dance scene for many years.
“I’m proudest of all at representing Australia 14 times at the world championships and also of receiving the OAM,” Daele says at her Morley studio. Her OAM was awarded by then WA Governor Kerry Sanderson in 2015 for her voluntary services to dance.
“I’ve raised about $890,000 over the years to help fund seven goodwill dance tours to Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, which has helped promote dancing and goodwill between our countries.
“I have so enjoyed teaching, whether it’s a top competition couple, social dancers, bridal couples or people working for exams. At the end, they walk out the door with a new skill, feeling happy.”
Daele says that top of her list has been taking formation teams overseas and interstate; the teams making a big impression in their smart costumes and choreography.
She says dance standards are excellent these days.
“I know things evolve but couples now move faster and costume styles change; at the moment they’re very nice, more similar to Ginger Rogers with long, flowing gowns.”
Daele turned to ballroom dancing after her parents Hugh and Alma and older sister Margaret took it up. After lessons and reaching a high standard, she joined Wrightson’s dance studio for nine years, turning professional aged 21.
She acquired the Morley studio in 1972.
Daele has always had a family involvement in her profession. Father Hugh helped choose the timber for the sprung studio floor, put down by a builder, which exists to this day. Mother Alma made her dance costumes and sister Margaret was also involved with sewing and decorating her gowns.
Since she announced her retirement, Daele has received more than 200 messages of goodwill which pleases her.
“It’s been so nice to teach three generations of dancers and have kids come in to say their mums learnt from me.”
The writer has had a long connection with Daele, attending her Morley studio for various events in the 1980s, finding her always a great teacher and a consummate professional.
Good luck in the next chapter, dancing Daele!
