Para and Ability Dance WA is a charitable association that promotes health, wellness, and well-being through dance in a safe, accessible and inclusive environment for dancers living with a disability.
We have a new trading name, Para and Ability Dance Australia.
With the support of the community and all levels of government, our mission is to provide support to achieve an all-inclusive, safe environment for dancers, family members and friends.
PADWA aims to combine dance’s social aspects with its participants’ achievements in terms of style, technique, and proficiency in all forms of dance.
Our vision is to create an environment that promotes health and happiness through dance in a safe, secure, and inclusive environment.
Up coming events:
Tokyo 2023 World Para Dance Sport International Championship, Japan – 5th and 6th August 2023
History
Para and Ability Dance WA (PADWA) became incorporated in September 2019, after a committee meeting on the 13th July 2019 of the Para Dancers coming together to discuss competing in the Australian DanceSport Championship in Melbourne. From that meeting it was decided we should look at incorporating as a not-for-profit association, to be able to apply for grants to support travel, costumes and development of the sport.
Today PADWA is incorporated and applies for grants as a not-for-profit organisation as well as fundraising.
The objects of our Association through Dance are-
- To be a not-for-profit organisation that supports the active health and wellbeing of dancers with a disability through promotion, development and training;
- To provide social activities that are safe and inclusive for dancers with a disability;
- To encourage and empower dancers with a disability to actively participate within the association, partner organisations and the community;
- To encourage and promote the development and expansion of all forms of dancing for dancers with a disability;
- To promote and participate in community events that include dancers with a disability;
- To co-operate with, and to seek co-operation from, dance promoters and all organisations supporting the dance community; and
- To support and assist the disability community organisations wherever possible and practicable.
PADWA as a charitable association for people living with disabilities who have a love for dance. PADWA is able to advocate for the dancers from all the dance studios across both the metropolitan and country areas with competition organisers to enable members to participate and be a strong and important part of the Dancing community across Western Australia.
Above all, PADWA has adopted an underlying principle, while sharing in the joy of dance we have FUN and provide a safe and supportive environment.
PADWA members have been involved in a number of performances and displays and want to travel and compete regionally and interstate. The PADWA members performances include the:
- 2019 Disability Support Awards – Crown Ballroom
- 2019 and 2020 Special Olympics State Titles Opening Ceremony – Rockingham
- 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 International Day of People with Disability – City of Belmont
- 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Perth Disability Expo – The Perth Convention Centre
- 2020 City of South Perth Summer on the Foreshore – South Perth Foreshore
- 2020 City of Victoria Park Jazz in the Park – Victoria Park
- 2021 Fringe Show – Townsend Theatre, Subiaco
- 2021 Ability Dance Come and Try Day – City of South Perth
- 2021 International Day of People with Disability – City of South Perth
- 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 International Day of People with Disability – Belmont Forum
- 2022 1st Annual Special Olympics DanceSport Development Day – Loftus Centre
- 2023 Ballroom Bingo in partnership with the Rotary Club of Como – Collier Street Centre, South Perth
- 2023 2nd Special Olympics DanceSport Development Competition – Manning Community Centre
- 2023 Special Olympics WA DanceSport State Games – HBF Stadium, Mt Claremont
- 2024 Dance Centre of Excellence Launch – Manning Senior Citizens Centre
- 2024 3rd Annual Special Special Olympics DanceSport Development Competition – Shirley Strictland Pavilion, Ardross
- 2024 Come and Try Dance – South Perth Community Centre
- 2024 Para DanceSport Competition – South West Sports Centre, Bunbury
- 2024 International Day of People with Disability – South Perth Foreshore
- 2025 FREE Australian Day Celebration Dance – South Perth Community Centre
- 2025 Independent Living Expo – Claremont Show Grounds
- 2025 Together Now WA Fair – Balcatta Market Place
- 2025 Swan Districts Football Club, Count Me In Celebration Luncheon, Steel Blue Oval, Bassendean
- 2025 Perth Para DanceSport Competition – Herb Graham Recreation Centre, Mirrabooka
PADWA hold FREE workshops for members, including the below:
- 2020 DanceSport Australian Western Australia Para and Ability Dance Workshop – Government House
- 2021 Dance Make-up workshop – The Manning Senior Citizens Centre
- 2021 Body and Arm Styling workshop – The Como Primary School Hall
- 2023 World Para Dance Sport Coaches Course – Perth Town Hall
- 2023 Feedback Questions and Answers with the Judges – Manning Senior Citizens Centre
- 2024 Para Dance Workshop – John Leckie Pavilion
- 2024 DanceSport 0 Level Assistant Instructor Training Day – Centenary Park Pavilion
- 2025 Warm-up and Cool-down Workshop – Lynwood Wandarrah Hall
- 2025 FREE Para and Ability Dance WA Workshop – Centenary Park Pavilion, Wilson
Fundraising events have included:
- 2019 Rebound WA Raffle – Perth
- 2022 Bingo Fundraiser – Manning Senior Citizens Centre
- 2023 Ballroom Bingo in partnership with the Rotary Club of Como – Collier Street Centre, South Perth
- 2024 Sausage Sizzle – Castledare Miniature Railway, Wilson
- 2024 Fundraising Quiz Night Gatsby Theme – Od Evans Community Centre, Perth
- 2024 Disco Fundraiser – Manning Senior Citizens Centre
- 2024 Grill’d Fundraiser – Grill’d Waterford
- 2025 Grill’d Applecross Dinner and Quiz
- 2025 Bingo Fundraiser – Manning Senior Citizens Centre
- 2025 Musical Chairs Movie Fundraiser – Manning Senior Cizitens Centre
PADWA currently has over 60 registered members, but with every event held, more members are recruited.
PADWA is always fundraising and seeking grant opportunities to support the workshops, events, travel and training opportunities for members.
If you like what PADWA are doing, you can join the Facebook group to get all the info on current and upcoming events and opportunities.
To find out more about DanceSport visit the website https://www.dancesport.org.au/welcome/welcome.php