The Dubbo Old Time and New Vogue Dance Festival was held from Friday to Sunday. The event was not only a chance for attendees to show off their own skills, it also included a workshop with by former international DanceSport champions John and Andrea Barwick, who taught a special cha cha shiraz.

Doug Moorby, one of three organisers, said the “fabulous” event had been a huge success.

There were almost 160 people at the grand ball on Saturday night, Mr Moorby said, with attendees coming from places such as New Zealand and Queensland.

The oldest dancers were Dubbo residents in their 90s, while the youngest couple were in their 30s, Mr Moorby said.

The ball raised $500, which will be donated to the Parents and Carers Committee at Dubbo College.

The dance festival was initially planned for Rhino Lodge, but when it went into receivership, the committee was left scrambling to find a new venue. 

Dubbo College stepped up, Mr Moorby said. 

“They saved our festival at the eleventh hour by letting us use their venue. We’re really so grateful to them, absolutely grateful,” he said.

There had been nothing but positive feedback about the event, the organiser said, from the music of Tony Gilbert and Patti Bond to the city itself. Even the accommodation providers in Dubbo had provided exceptional service, Mr Moorby said.

With the inaugural event already under wraps, the three person committee – comprised of Mr Moorby, Marzenka Leszczynska and Ross Graham – has already turned their attention to next year’s event.

“We’re always striving to be better. We do hope to grow it but I think it might be a while before it goes for seven days like the one in Corowa,” he said.

Tony Gilbert and Patti Bond had already said they would return for the next event, Mr Moorby said, now it was dependent on finding a location for the dance festival to be held.