Cool Cat Rockers celebrate 20 years

Watching the club grow during the years, Mr Rossignoli said the time had ”disappeared”.

 “We started dancing from nowhere and, like everyone, with three or four left feet — but bit by bit dancing grew on us and years later we’re still with the club and enjoy what has become a rock ’n’ roll lifestyle,” he said.

Since 1999, Cool Cat Rockers have been teaching the art of rock ’n’ roll dancing.

“The club started out with a handful of people which has evolved into 122 members,” Mr Rossignoli said.

The style of dancing from the 50s and 60s teams up with three dances open to the public each year, held at the Shepparton High School hall since 2001.

Prior to that, the club held its first dance at the Mechanics Hall in Mooroopna.

“It’s a full nostalgic 50s and 60s rock ’n’ roll dance with some of the best available bands from Melbourne and Sydney including the Fender Benders and the Midnight Drifters,” Mr Rossignoli said.

The club originally started its dance lessons at the Royal Mail Hotel in Mooroopna before moving over to the Victorian Railway Institute Hall in Shepparton.

 “Then in July 2009 the club had grown and there were rumours that the hall may have been demolished so we moved over to Wesley Hall on Maude St, Shepparton, and we have been there ever since,” Mr Rossignoli said.

Sharing fond memories of the hall on Purcell St, Mr Rossignoli said it was there he taught his first dance class.

“There were a couple of people who got out the front and started to do classes but it wasn’t their forte and I don’t know that it was mine but I was asked to have a go at it and bit by bit I grew into teaching as the class grew into dancing,” he said.

Teaming up with wife of 43 years, the couple agreed there had been some very high levels of negotiation throughout their 11 years instructing.

“That’s what happens with dance partners, both people can’t be right when somebody is wrong,” Mr Rossignoli said.

“But we’re addicted and we enjoy it.”

Mr Rossignoli said the best way to describe the club was “a social environment”.

“It’s an aerobic workout at times so it’s good fitness, it’s good for memory also because there is a certain amount that you definitely need to remember but it becomes part of your lifestyle and we have made so many friends along the way,” he said.

The Cool Cat Rockers’ next social dance will be held on September 21 at the Shepparton High School Hall, Hawdon St, Shepparton.

For more information contact Kaye Rossignoli on 5821 5465.

For more about the Cool Cat Rockers

Sheppartons cool cats are back for a new year of rock ‘n’ roll dancing