History of Ringwood Ballet Group - 4

Bernice Morrow retired at the end of 1982 and she was given a farewell evening on Friday, 25th March 1983 at the North Ringwood Community Centre. With her retirement the Morrow era, which had lasted for 21 years came to an end.

Susan Massey became Artistic Director in 1983. She is a highly qualified teacher and directed her own ballet school in the U.K. before going to New Zealand where she both taught and improved her qualifications before coming to Australia and with her family, settled in Heathmont. Her qualifications include Fellow of the International Teachers Association, Associate of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing and Fellow of the Australian Institute of Classical Dance. She is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dancing.

During her years as Artistic Director of the Ringwood Ballet Group from 1983 to 1994 she produced many wonderful ballets "The Bluebird of Happiness", "Mist in the Glen", "Scrooge", "The Magic Faraway Tree", "The Nutcracker Suite", "Coppelia", "La Fille Mal Gardee" and "The Cotton Club". Her contemporary work with the students became a highlight of performances. Susan Massey's husband Charles Heathcote produced brilliant sets for these ballets with the assistance of fathers and friends of the Group. Susan is a very careful and successful teacher of classical dance with excellent results in R.A.D. and C.D.T.A. examinations. Her son was accepted at the Australian Ballet School during her time at the Ringwood school. She retired as Artistic Director in 1995 but has remained a member of the teaching staff.

The Ringwood Ballet Group became an Incorporated Association and this was officially announced at a committee meeting held on 12 th September 1984 . Due to the organisation having been established so many years earlier, assistance with setting this up was sought from Mr M. Williams, former Solicitor for the Group.

For the second time in just over a decade, the committee was faced with news of a President's death. Everyone was saddened by the passing of our President Pam Lang. Pam held this position from August 1986 to 1991, in addition she was Ticket Secretary from 1985 to 1991. Pam's three daughters all attended the Ringwood Ballet Group, so naturally Pam spent a great deal of time at the studio and was continually relied on to help with any emergency that arose. From 1992 the Pam Lang Junior Awards of one terms fees to two students have been awarded in memory of our former President.

Rosemary Frost joined the staff of the Ringwood Ballet Group in 1993 and became Artistic Director in 1995 when Susan Massey retired from the position. Rosemary trained in Zimbabwe and also with the Royal Ballet School , London . She is an Associate of the Royal Academy of Dance, a qualified teacher of Modern Dance (I.D.T.A.) and was on the Faculty of the College of the Arts in Frankfurt , Germany . She was a member of the Frankfurt Ballet Company and has performed many major roles. In 1995, Rosemary assisted by members of her staff, produced a wonderful version of "Cinderella", much to the delight of people who made up the "House Full" audiences.

Meryn Fairfull, a member of the teaching staff has had a very long association with the Group and was one of those who taught whilst still a student. She spent time in America as an exchange student and on return, entered the College of the Arts and graduated in dance in 1982. Meryn is a registered teacher of the Royal Academy of Dancing and an Associate of the Australian Institute of Classical Dance. She danced with the Russian Theatrical Society and teaches classical classes and character dancing.

Janine Box, also a student of Bernice Morrow, graduated in dance from the Victorian College of the Arts in 1982. She spent some time overseas, returned to study and is now a Graduate of the School of Early Childhood Studies and a Kindergarten Directress. Janine teaches Junior School Students at the Ringwood Ballet Group.

Many, many students associated with the Group have gone on to make a career of ballet, first as performers and some are now teachers. Quite a number attained the ultimate status of being selected as students for training at the Australian Ballet School , some entered the Victorian College of the Arts and Graduated from there, and again others entered interstate dance colleges. A number of students after graduation danced with overseas companies and others joined prominent Australian contemporary and character groups.

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