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Coalcliff is set to become a moving arts hub, with AUSTI. Dance and Physical Theatre poised to reside full-time in the community hall on Lawrence Hargrave Drive.

It’s the first permanent home for the 14-year-old contemporary dance company and artistic director Michelle Maxwell says the move will be a “game-changer”.

“We’re the new licensee through Wollongong City Council, which means that we can operate out of the hall on a full-time basis once we’ve got the sprung floor installed,” she says.

“It’s very exciting. Our vision for the hall is to turn it into a moving arts hub for the Illawarra and currently there’s nothing like that – so a space where moving artists can have a serene, creative and safe space to work from.”

Fundraiser for new floor

But first, the hall built in 1957 needs a new floor.

“Any impact-based activity such as dance, basketball, martial arts need to have a sprung floor, because it absorbs the impact of the activity,” Michelle says.

“At the moment we are restricted to contemporary, I would not do ballet in there because of the floor.”

The sprung floor will be portable, so the company can take it on tour or do workshops in remote areas.

“And on top of the actual sprung floor is a dance-specific vinyl covering, which we call in the industry ‘Tarkett’. It’s slippery enough to slide – because for contemporary, we need to be able to slide – but it also has enough traction to keep the dancers safe when turning, and doing things like that, because we work predominantly in socks and bare feet. It’s also suitable for point work and ballet.”

The new floor will cost about $45,000, with Sydney firm STM Studio Supplies set to install it in December.

An arts charity that provides a stepping stone for young dancers dreaming of a professional career, AUSTI. has received $25,000 towards a new floor through the Premier’s Discretionary Fund and is also running a public appeal via the Australian Cultural Fund. Michelle thanks Heathcote MP Maryanne Stuart and all the AUSTI. board members, notably Vyvian Wilson, Linda Luke and Zebastian Hunter, for their support in this project.

Donations to the new floor will benefit everyone using Coalcliff Hall, she says.

“In the future we’ll be able to do all of our classes there, and it will be perfect for yoga, Pilates, martial arts – any movement-based activity.”

From dancer to director

Now an Austinmer local, Michelle grew up in Dapto, starting dance lessons at age four and doing her formative training with Priscilla Kurtz. She went on to full-time ballet training with the Saill Academy of Dance under Patricia and Valma Saill and Valma Briggs in Sydney at the old Elizabethan Theatre Trust. Margaret Chapple (Chappie), co-founder with Keith Bain of the Bodenwieser Dance Centre in Sydney, introduced her to contemporary dance. 

“That changed my life,” she says. “That changed the trajectory for me and opened my world up – it was incredible.”

Today, Michelle is most proud of being the founder of AUSTI.

“I had the dream a long time ago to set up a company for emerging artists that didn’t necessarily fit into the box of being Australian Ballet Company material or even Sydney Dance Company, but they had a driving passion and work ethic that I find very attractive in a dancer. And it’s not always about the technique.

“You can see that in the work of many international choreographers and companies these days, the world of contemporary dance is constantly evolving.”

Having struggled with confidence in her own early career, Michelle now works with dancers to instil self-belief.

“I’m thrilled to be able to give this opportunity to young artists, something that I craved when I was young. It’s very exciting to watch them come to life and the growth in our young artists is absolutely incredible. This is, without a doubt, my biggest achievement.”

uNCOILEd eXposed at IPAC

In October Michelle is looking forward to AUSTI.’s annual unveiling of fresh choreographic talent in a three-night run at the Illawarra Performing Arts Centre (IPAC).

2024’s uNCOILEd eXposed will feature new pieces choreographed by Fiona Larkin, Elizabeth Arifien and Mara Glass.

‘uNCOILEd’ is a tribute to dancer Nicole Fitzsimons, a friend and AUSTI supporter who died in an accident in Thailand.

“The letters in the middle spell Nicole,” says Michelle. “And ‘eXposed’ comes from opening up to the public.”

An outcomes-based residency project, uNCOILEd eXposed gives emerging choreographers the chance to work with AUSTI. dancers to bring new, experimental works to the stage, providing help with costumes, lighting, photography and videography.

Every year produces “absolutely beautiful” work, Michelle says. “I’m always in awe of how, as young artists, they step up to the challenge.”

Rise of the Cultural Coast

Coalcliff’s natural beauty is set to inspire even more creativity in 2025. “Next year is going to be incredible,” Michelle says.

“The hall has a beautiful grass area and there’s a nice little veranda – we can see the ocean, but we’ve also got a beautiful view of the escarpment and the rock face.

“It’s just stunning and very serene, which is optimal surroundings for creatives.”

The new space has already allowed AUSTI. to expand its pilot for dancers aged 12 to 17 and Michelle also plans to host community classes.

“We’d love to have a regular yoga teacher or Pilates teacher, and run adult ballet or contemporary classes, run some seniors classes – it opens up a lot of possibilities.”

Parking at Coalcliff can be notoriously hard to find but Michelle said AUSTI. has run Saturday classes there for two years and never had issues, encouraging people to plan ahead and use public transport.

“It’s a very pleasant walk from the train station to the hall.”

AUSTI. joins a rising number of artists, writers and performers energising the northern Illawarra, so much so that Thirroul visual artist Judy Bourke has suggested renaming the area ‘the Cultural Coast’.

“I love that idea,” said Michelle. “It would be lovely too if some of us could come together and collaborate, and help each other. I think that’s beautiful.”

uNCOILEd eXposed is at IPAC’s Bruce Gordon Theatre, October 17-19, tickets $15-$35. Visit www.austitheatre.com.au. To donate to a new sprung floor, visit the Australian Cultural Fund website