History
The first class of the Donvale Calisthenics Club was
held in the Living and Learning Centre, Springvale Road, Donvale in
1965, under the instruction of Mrs. Margaret Malcolm. Classes were
held there for the next five years, and then moved to the Wesley
Uniting Church Hall, corner of Doncaster and Blackburn Roads,
Doncaster East, where classes are still held today.
From 1970 the club was affiliated with the Minerva
Calisthenics College which provided support, coaches and an annual
competition. In 1970 classes consisted of a Babes and Juniors team.
1971 saw the club grow to include Tinies, Babes (Sub Juniors), Juniors
and Inters. These age groups continued adding Seniors in 1975. In 1979
a married ladies class was introduced, however this only lasted for
the one year.
During the growth of the Donvale/Doncaster area in the
late 1970s early 1980s, membership peaked at 110 participants, but as
the area changed the club dropped in numbers. By 1993 the Club had
decreased to only 2 age groups being, Tinies and Sub-Juniors. This
saw the Annual Display move from Mitcham High School to concerts at
the church hall. Donvale finished its affiliation with Minerva in 1994
but remained competing at this competition until 1995.
Through to 1990 the girls worked to piano music, then
tape music was introduced which gave a new concept to calisthenics.
Along with the advances in materials and accessories, all calisthenics
items have become more entertaining for both the participants and
spectators.
Due to popular demand in 1994 a Seniors class was again
introduced initially to perform a couple of concert items but ventured
into competition in 1994 & 1996. This class continued intermittently
with Mums, usually performing a March at the concert. In 1997 an
Inters team was again formed making it difficult to hold all age
groups on the one night, so in 1998 the decision was made to increase
class time to 2 hours and hold class on both Monday and Thursday.
Donvale Calisthenics Club had an annual enrolment of
about 45 - 50 participants between 1994 and 2002 and in 1995 Donvale
entered two competitions, CVI State Championship and the local
Mountain District Competition. Our Club started in Division 12, and
now Donvale has moved to the "serious" end of the gradings (some teams
competing as high as division 2), but nothing other than the standard
of work has changed.
Since 1996 Donvale has introduced a Club Tracksuit,
Club Badge and thanked 4 members with the honour of a Life
Membership. 1999 saw the introduction of the Pupil Skills program,
not only teaching girls correct calisthenic technique but a
prerequisite for membership to the Coaches Association and solo
competition. Over the following years we have been able to secure
funding from various associations to help with sports equipment,
sewing machines and most importantly the training of some Donvale
girls to comfortably make the transition to Donvale Coaches.
By 2003 Donvale Calisthenics had doubled in size to
just over 100 participants and back to fielding 3 teams of Tinies and
Subbies and 2 teams of Juniors and Intermediates. Our Annual Displays
moved to the comfy Kel Watson Theatre in Burwood East and for the last
2 years Donvale introduced 2 Annual Displays to allow all teams to
perform their years work.
In 2004 our Club once again was complete with a
competitive Senior team. It was great to see girls who started with
the Donvale Tinies competing as Seniors. The Sub -Juniors welcomed our
first male competitor to the club and a group of 10 Masters (Mums)
enjoyed the year exercising together and performing 4 items at the
Annual Concert.
2005 saw
our Club adopt the Good Sport Club policies for a safe and healthy
environment for our students. This program is supported by the State
and Local governments as well as CVI.
In 2006
an increase number of participants enrolling in pupil skills and Cadet
Coaching Programs . Another successful year at competitions seeing all
sections receiving aggregates, however the sub junior section only had
six competitors who performed with pride at the competitions. Slight
decrease in club enrolments saw the introduction of two presentations
concerts prior to our very popular Annual Display.
2007 was another busy and successful year. The
introduction of an online member information resource section added
to our website, MYOB and EFT banking these additions have added a
new dimension to our Club. Our membership bounced back and the
masters class was reintroduced on a recreational level. The seniors
successfully entered a 3rd local competition and Pam
Nyman was honoured with a Life Membership.
2008 is gearing up to be another enjoyable year.
Candice Nyman has been selected as an Assistant Coach of the
Victorian Sub Junior team and a member of our Sub Junior section has
been included in the Victoria team. This can only lead to a
healthier future for the Club. The most important aspect of
calisthenic life at Donvale is fun while exercising, forming
friendships and generally gaining the confidence to be proud of your
self with what ever you do.
Donvale Calisthenics Club Inc. is still a non profit
organisation, run by a dedicated voluntary Committee, who enjoy their
Calisthenics and love seeing the benefit it brings to all who
participate. The warm friendly family atmosphere that created the
Club back in 1965, still remains today with the next generation.
Life
Members
| 1995 |
Lynne Robinson |
|
Joan Bos |
|
|
| 2001 |
Pauline Downie (nee Bos) |
| 2004 |
Robyn Trenery (nee
Martin) |
| 2007 |
Pam Nyman |
Principle
Coaches
| 1965 - 1972 |
Margaret Malcolm |
| 1973 |
Carol Wilson |
| 1974 |
Pat Roper |
| 1975 |
Cheryl Bennie |
| 1976 - 1977 |
Gwenda Sutherland |
| 1978 - 1979 |
Barbara Duqeman |
| 1980 - 1981 |
Yvonne King |
| 1982 - 1985 |
Meg Clarkson |
| 1986 - 1993 |
Debbie Haines |
| 1994 - 2005 |
Pam Nyman |
| 2006 - Present |
Candice and Pam Nyman |
Pianists
| 1965 - 1976 |
Mrs Marsh |
| 1977 - 1978 |
Norma Cromwell |
| 1978 - 1981 |
Robyn Bowey |
| 1979 - 1985 |
Lana Dawkins |
| 1984 - 1989 |
Bev McPherson |
| 1990 - 1991 |
Jenny McKinnon |
| 1990 - 1991 |
Rhonda Tallnash |
| 1992 - Present |
Julie Waterhouse |
Presidents
Pat Holt
Beth Kitchingman
Liz Lucas
Sandra Martel
Joan Bos
Fiona Hall
Sue Tonge
Mandy Beaton
Alison Anderson
Secretaries
Bev Stokes
Pat Holt
Nola Lewis
Sandra Tarry
Pam Love
Jill Clarke
Julie Waterhouse
Sallie Hobson
Pam Nyman
Treasurers
Norma Martin
Lynne Robinson
Sandra Jacobson
Joan Kraut
Robyn Treney
Andrea Ebert
Donvale