SES team takes dance world by storm

THEIR orange uniforms are a welcome sight when disaster strikes and for these volunteers it was no different when they took part in a reality TV show.

The SES team from Channel 7’s Dance Boss. Photo: courtesy of Channel 7.

STEPPING onto the set of Dance Boss is much like entering a disaster zone after a storm — you don’t know what to expect and rely on your training to get the job done.

That’s the assessment Dance Boss contestant and SES volunteer Jan Dwyer gives of the experience she rates among the best of her life.

The Bribie Island deputy group leader answered a call for volunteers to make up an SES team for the Channel 7 reality TV talent show which screened in August.

It was a call made by Ferny Hills’ Rob McLachlan, who was convinced to audition by his wife, Josie. Dancing is one of Rob’s great loves — something he had done since he was seven years old but gave away when his dance teacher retired.

He and Josie sent in an old audition tape and when they found out the executive producer loved it, they set about forming a team. Jan says it had been “25 years between dances” when she heard Rob was looking for volunteers. Inspired by a recent reunion of her old dance group, the Sue Harvey Dancers, she decided to give it crack.

“It was extremely hard work. I did a lot to make sure I was fit enough to do it. I could not turn back the clock and be 20 again and be as agile as I once was,” she says.

Channel 7 Dance Boss SES team: Rob McLachlan, Jan Dwyer, Dugald Parker and Rachael Dykes. Photos: courtesy of Channel 7.

Rob is proud that he and Jan were the only contestants over 50, and while he injured his knees in the process, they achieved their goal to dance again and raise the profile of the SES.

“I wanted to get out there and do the best that I could and get myself dancing again and all of that was achieved,” he says.

“I think the SES was represented well on the show.” The SES team was made up of Rob and Jan representing Queensland, and Rachael Dykes and Dugald Parker representing New South Wales.

Jan says while it was one of the most nerve-racking experiences of her life, the fun she had and the support the team received made it worthwhile.

“You have to stop thinking and trust that hopefully you’ll remember what you’re doing. Once we walked out on the set … the New South Wales SES people were so loud and supportive it was totally surreal. I don’t remember much about being on stage,” she says. “I think we entertained. We achieved what we wanted to do — send out a positive message about the SES.

“I think it made some people look at the SES in a different way.”

And she hopes more people will volunteer for the organisation as a result.

Rob, who has been in the SES for 10 years and is a field officer for Brisbane’s Northern Group, says his performance shocked some of his colleagues.

“I’m a quiet person, so they were surprised that I even danced. They were supportive once they got over the shock,” he says.