THELMA Fergusson is making a comeback to the stage after six decades.
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Miss Fergusson, 70, will join 110 performers in Dancing Around The World at Albury Entertainment Centre on Saturday.
The Mercy Place Albury resident will reveal her dance moves in the annual concert of Murray Youth Performing Arts, which offers a weekly dance class at the residential aged care facility.
“I used to be a singer and I’ve also done Scottish dancing,” Miss Fergusson said.
“But it was a long time ago; count backwards from 70!”
Albury-born Miss Fergusson joined the Murray Youth Performing Arts weekly dance classes at Mercy Place about six months ago.
“It makes you feel like you’re younger,” she said.
“I have to keep moving otherwise my legs stiffen up.”
Like in rehearsals, Miss Fergusson said she aimed to walk on to the stage on Saturday without the aid of her walker.
She said she had used the experience to help regain her mobility.
“I’m going to walk on to the stage rather than use a wheelchair or walker,” she said.
“I hope I can; I did it at the Sunday rehearsal.”
Though Miss Fergusson remembers learning sword dances in her childhood fling with Scottish Highland dancing, she will remain seated for her time in the spotlight on Saturday.
“It has really motivated me to get up and keep going though,” she said.
Other Mercy Place Albury residents Stan Gard and Jileen Howard will also appear on stage in Dancing Around The World.
Mr Gard, 91, said he enjoyed any opportunities for social interaction and connection.
He said while he was a singer in his younger years he was making his dance debut this weekend.
“I’ve been at the Mercy for more than three years and I go to everything they put on,” he said.
“I enjoy it there.”
Murray Youth Performing Arts director Libby Ellis said dance could be a life-long activity.
“We want to support people enjoying the physical activity of dance their whole lives; we achieve that by asking what people want and setting realistic goals,” she said.
“Dance is very good for you because aside from the physical activity, you’re engaging the brain.
“A lot of people also like to express themselves through dance.”
Murray Youth Performing Arts students also perform for Mercy Place Albury residents throughout the year.
Students aged two to 92 will perform in Dancing Around The World at Albury Entertainment Centre on Saturday from 2pm.