Mark Hilton admits he didn't really realise the scope of a Border dance fundraiser when first nominated.
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But once enlightened, the Albury physiotherapist had no thoughts of not doing Stars of the Border Dance for Cancer.
"With all the recent events that have happened with bushfires as well, anything you can do to help other people, take those opportunities as they arise," he said.
The married father of three also wanted to set a good example for his young children.
"Doing something that is new and takes you outside of your comfort zone, it's great for your kids to see that," he said.
"Anything that takes you out of your comfort zone, you probably grow as a person and if that helps raise awareness for a great cause, then I'm certainly more than willing to do that."
Mr Hilton will present a contemporary dance routine with teacher Meegan Strauss at the Cancer Council NSW Dance for Cancer gala night on May 1.
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More used to a footy field than a studio floor, Mr Hilton said he was "intrigued" to see how his instructor would lead him towards the desired end product once rehearsals began in early March.
"I feel like there's a lot of work to be done, I feel like it's going to be a journey," he said with a laugh.
For the fundraising component, he is putting together a calendar for sale of quirky shots to showcase Albury-Wodonga businesses, as well as organising a macaron drive and corporate sponsorship.
More details available online or through his business Back On Track Physiotherapy.
Raised in Swan Hill, Mr Hilton moved to Albury in 1998, studied physiotherapy and stayed, apart from two years in the AFL after North Melbourne picked him up as a rookie. In the intense world of elite sport, he learned careers could both start and end quickly.
"You really can appreciate the importance of having other aspects of life that you can move to when that finishes," he said.
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The North Albury premiership player said his passion for exercise and good health led him into physiotherapy.
"Often we're trying to rebuild people and setting them up on a exercise program, where we're looking for them to get stronger or move better in a period of time," he said.
"I see the dance training as very similar, we're being put through what we put our clients through at times as well."
- More details at stars.cancercouncil.com.au or the Stars of the Border Facebook page