Candidates Standing in the
General Category

The growth of DanceSport relies on many important areas: effective accreditation systems, attracting and retaining members, strong marketing, and clear, consistent communication to its members. These are areas I am committed to improving so that DanceSport Australia remains relevant, respected, and accessible to both participants and the wider public.

Outside of DanceSport, my career with a multi-brand retail company gave me valuable experience in growing, marketing, and managing organisations. This work spanned both state and national levels, along with two years internationally. The skills I developed directly support my efforts to promote DanceSport as an engaging product that attracts new participants while continuing to support our existing community.

Within DanceSport, I have been privileged to serve in a wide range of leadership roles. For more than a decade, I have contributed to the DSA National Council, including two years representing the Competitor category and ten years as a General Member. In Victoria, I served fifteen years on the Board, nine of those as Accreditation Officer. At the national level, I have contributed to several DSA Commissions, including the Accreditation Commission, and have chaired both the International Selection Commission and the Australian & International Affairs Commission.

My service also extends to the Australian Dancing Society Ltd., where I have been an active member of the Victorian State Branch for sixteen years, three of those as Chairman. I have additionally served six years as a Director and nine years as Managing Director. Alongside my governance roles, I remain engaged on the floor as both a coach and adjudicator, while also contributing as an event organiser — managing the ADS Southern Cross National Championship, Nova DanceSport Classic, and the East Coast National Championship, as well as co-organising the ADS Australian DanceSport Championship.

I understand fully the responsibilities that come with being a Company Director. I believe in transparency, accountability, and ensuring that every member has a voice in shaping our future. With your support, I will continue to contribute to the growth and development of DanceSport in Australia, working to create an environment where our sport not only thrives within the community but also earns wider recognition on the national stage.

With over twenty years of corporate management and marketing experience, I am ready to put my skills and passion to work for DSA and its members. My vision is clear—grow our sport through new avenues, secure its longevity, and ensure that every dancer has the opportunity to thrive.

For the past 12 plus  years, I have proudly served DanceSport Queensland—securing vital funding, managing accreditation, and helping deliver the Queensland Open as part of its organising committee. My commitment doesn’t stop at state borders. I travel nationwide to support event management, bringing consistency and professionalism to DanceSport events across Australia.

I believe in an open, transparent, and forward-thinking DanceSport industry—one that creates real career pathways, nurtures emerging talent, and works hand-in-hand with providers, societies, and our vibrant dance community.

With your vote, I will build on the work we’ve started, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that the needs of dancers come first—always. Together, we can keep DanceSport strong, united, and growing.

Let’s take the next step—together.

DProf, Med(EdAdmin), GDipCompEd, BEd.

I ask for your vote based on the experience, qualifications, and vision I bring to guide our organisation toward its full potential. Together, we can build the DSA that our members deserve and our sport demands.

Dance Sport Australia (DSA) National Council Nomination: General Division

As a founding director of DSA in 1997 and holder of both the highest qualifications in Education and the highest qualifications in DanceSport, I bring a unique combination of expertise to our DanceSport community.  Experience spanning many decades, together with my skills across management, finance, media, and legal affairs, will allow me to add strong value at DSA National Council level.

My Vision for Growth and Development

I believe our sport's growth depends on both nurturing emerging talent and maintaining the highest competitive standards. I am committed to continuing on a path towards critical growth, and I'm ready to develop and implement a comprehensive strategy creating clear career pathways for young members while strengthening our current programs and providing studio support.

Comprehensive Industry Experience

My extensive experience spans every aspect of our industry: competitor, coach, adjudicator, studio proprietor. This breadth gives me insight into the challenges facing ALL our members, from grassroots participants to elite performers. As a board member for both DSA and two university colleges, I understand the governance complexities of managing educational standards, accreditation systems, and organisational growth.

I've developed major projects, including tertiary course accreditation and have coached at the highest levels of Australian and international competition. This experience has shown me firsthand how our accreditation systems need to be more consistent, compliant, and fit for purpose.

If elected, I will focus on three key areas:

• Building Excellence: Implementing programs that support both our finest performers, our recreational dancers and entry-level members.
• Ensuring Fairness: Creating transparent, consistent standards across all levels of competition and accreditation that members can trust and rely on.
• Driving Growth: Reviving our membership expansion with targeted strategies that attract new participants while retaining existing members through enhanced career development opportunities and providing incentives and assistance to existing and new studios.

The Skills Our Council Needs

Our governing body requires expertise in administration, finance, media, education, legal affairs, and deep industry knowledge. These essential skills come from varied professional backgrounds, not limited to competitive or coaching experience. I offer proven capabilities across these areas, developed through decades of leadership in both educational institutions and our sport.

Moving Forward Together

Our organisation stands at a crucial point. We can either maintain the status quo or commit to the innovation, strategic growth, and enhanced standards that will secure DSA's future. I'm prepared to be the voice for integrity, fairness, and equality that drives this transformation.

As a dedicated dancer, I am committed to advancing the success and growth of DanceSport by championing teamwork, supporting studios and dancers, and driving innovation through impactful events and meaningful collaboration. I uphold the highest ethical standards and strive to foster an inclusive culture rooted in respect, integrity, and accountability.

Meet Judy – A Champion for DanceSport Across Generations

Judy’s lifelong dedication to DanceSport shines through every role she takes on. She’s an accredited National Adjudicator, Coach, Scrutineer and Chairman of Adjudicators with DanceSport Australia—and regularly officiates at state and national competitions across the country.

Internationally, Judy holds a WDSF Adjudicator’s License across both General and Professional Divisions. Her judging credentials span prestigious WDSF World, Grand Slam, and Open events in countries such as Australia, Ukraine, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, the USA, Canada, and Italy.

Closer to home, Judy currently chairs the DSA Disability Commission and serves as an ADS National Director. She has previously held the roles of Chair of DanceSport WA and ADS WA Chairman.

Passionate about inclusion, Judy has played a pivotal role in introducing Para DanceSport and All Abilities events to WA and across Australia. Her commitment includes completing three International Paralympic Committee coaching courses in Chinese Taipei and Perth. In 2024, she achieved her World Para Dance Adjudicators License in Prague, and earlier this year, she was honoured to adjudicate at the Hong Kong International Para Dance Competition.

Judy’s passion for learning is matched only by her dedication to sharing that knowledge. She continues to travel and upskill, bringing fresh perspectives to dancers of all levels.

Beyond the dance floor, Judy brings over 30 years of corporate and governance experience—having worked as an Executive Officer to boards of ASX-listed companies, sporting bodies, and not-for-profit organisations in the aged care and disability sectors. Her leadership combines industry expertise with a clear focus on inclusion, progress, and professionalism.

Whether you're just beginning your journey in DanceSport or have been part of it for decades, Judy’s vision embraces every dancer, every studio, and every step forward.

Judy Pegus – contact details:

Email: judypegus@iprimus.com.au

I served on the National Board of Directors of DanceSport Australia between 2007 and 2011, and again between 2017 and 2021.  I have for several years, and am currently, on the Board of DanceSport Victoria.  I am also currently Chairman of the Marketing, Communications & Registered Studios Commission, which provides a vital link from DSA to its members through the DanceSport Voice newsletter. 

Now that Covid is behind us, we can look forward to a very bright future with lots of young ones joining the sport. This is evidenced by large numbers of entries from sub-juveniles, juveniles and juniors from regional areas such as Geelong, as well as metropolitan Melbourne.  I believe we should be targeting youth as a priority to strengthen our membership in DSA and for the future of the sport.

I have run an advertising/marketing agency – DMP Media – and can help market DanceSport through various channels. 

I believe, with my experience both in the DanceSport industry and the general business community, I can make a contribution on the Board and as a sponsor for a number of competitions throughout Victoria.

I ask for your support.

Geoffrey Vine – 0408 189 295

MA FAICD

www.linkedin.com/in/robyn-wa s-967b384/

Why Vote for Me?

Dancesport Australia (DSA) National Council, like any board, needs diverse skillsets across its director composition.

DSA needs directors, like me, who can complement the industry experience of champion dancers with broad and proven business leadership and governance capability.

I am passionate about:

• Enabling the industry to develop sustainable revenue streams to support dancer, studio and competition development
• Creating pathways to welcome new grassroots participants through to supporting elite achievement
• Building organizational capability (marketing, technology) to deliver on strategic objectives
• Evolving professional development and continuing education pathways
• Strengthening relationships with global dancesport organizations and the sports industry, and government generally for the benefit of Australian dancesport

I am committed to working collaboratively with fellow directors to execute DSA's strategic plan, strengthen our governance foundations, and position Australian Dancesport for sustainable growth and global success.

Bringing Strategic Leadership and Governance Excellence to Australian Dancesport

As a passionate pro-am dancer with 27 years in the Australian dance industry and as a current member of the DSA NSW Board, I offer a unique combination of grassroots Dancesport understanding together with extensive Board and CEO level leadership that can drive DSA's strategic growth and organizational excellence. I am a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors with over 17 years' experience as Chair and Non-Executive Director across ASX-listed, private, and not-for-profit organizations. This is built on 25 years as CEO of media businesses (such as ABC Enterprises and Southern Star Group).

I have guided these organizations at Board and CEO levels through digital and technology transformation, customer/marketing/sales transformation, growth strategies, innovation & cultural renewal - experience aligned to DSA's growth and strategic objectives.

Strategic Vision for DSA

I bring proven expertise in the key areas critical to Dancesport's future:

My background in customer-focused and member-based organizations aligns with DSA's need to develop inclusive pathways, expand membership recruitment and engagement, and create opportunity for dancers across all levels and studios, from grassroots participation to elite competition.

With experience managing substantial budgets and securing funding through government grants and commercial partnerships, I can contribute to DSA's financial sustainability and growth funding strategies.

My extensive experience in implementing compliance frameworks, managing organizational risk, succession planning, chairing and being a member of board committees, will strengthen DSA's governance structures and integrity, and ensure effective oversight and monitoring of strategic initiatives.

I have successfully developed and implemented business strategies for revenue growth, market expansion, and stakeholder management - skills essential for DSA's evolution as the governing body for all competitive dance styles in Australia and an enabler of industry growth.

Please feel free to email me if you would like more information, have any suggestions, or would like a chat.

stapletonwatts@bigpond.com

I am honoured to put myself forward for re-election as a General Member so I can continue offering my experience, leadership, and energy to ensure DanceSport Australia remains strong, vibrant, and forward-looking.

Resume – Madeleine Zoanetti

 Current Role:

• President, DanceSport Australia (2024–2026)
  • Led the National Council, driving strategic initiatives, governance improvements, and stakeholder engagement.
  • Represented DanceSport Australia nationally and internationally, fostering relationships across the dance industry.
  • Advocated for members’ interests and contributed to key decisions shaping the future of the sport.

Professional Experience:

• Founder & Owner – Madeleine Zoanetti – Dedicated to Dance
  • Established and manage Adelaide’s largest competitive dance studio, renowned for producing champions across all levels and styles.
  • Mentor and coach to dancers from grassroots through to elite international competitors.
  • Host and support numerous events, seminars, and training programs, promoting participation and excellence.

Competitive Achievements:

• Lifelong dancer with multiple Australian Titles across all three styles.
• Winner of the Open to the World Jive Title – one of her proudest career highlights.

Accreditation & Adjudication:

• Holds the highest Australian credentials in Coach and adjudicating across all three styles.
• WDSF International Adjudicators Licence, representing Australia at International Events
• National and international adjudicator at major championships worldwide.

Skills & Attributes:

• Extensive experience on the National Council and DanceSport Australia Governance.
• Deep understanding of the DanceSport landscape at both competitive and grassroots levels.
• Committed advocate for professionalism, transparency, and inclusivity within the sport.

Vision for 2026–2028 Term as General Member:

• Continue building the sport’s profile nationally and internationally.
• Support the delivery of world-class events in Australia.
• Mentor emerging leaders, coaches, and adjudicators.
• Ensure the voice of members is central to Council decisions.