Joan Smart is a line dance teacher who has been holding classes in the Kiama area since 1993. Starting out as a 47-year-old grandmother, Joan thought that it might be an opportunity to bring an old fashion style dance night to the families of the region. She never imagined at that time she’d end up running a business for 30 years teaching line dance.

Joan is now a spritely 77 and has certainly achieved some goals. To celebrate 30 years of dance teaching she is organising two functions.

Friday night 20 October 2023 a free Dance Night, at the Kiama Masonic Hall from 7pm to 10pm for all her old and new dancers, “who can manage a dance or two!” It’s back to the beginnings at the Masonic Hall with its ‘sprung’ wooden floor, “just made for dancing,” Joan enthuses. 

Saturday 21 October 2023 from 12pm until 5pm is a sit-down (no dance) luncheon at the Kiama Leagues Club for all people who have ever danced with Joan – one lesson or up to 30 years of dancing – all are welcome. It’s time to catch up with old friends and fellow dancers.

October 1994 "Year of the Family" weekend at Hindmarsh Park.

Without any social media or website, Joan has gone ‘old school’ and managed to put the word out ‘virally’ via phone calls to old students and friends. So far 120 dancers have booked in, with some guests even coming from interstate and overseas. The venue holds 160 people, so there is still room for more of Joan’s dancers to claim their place at the tables! The cost for the luncheon is $40 per person for a 2-course meal, tea and coffee, “and a huge cake!” to follow. 

Over the years Joan’s line dancers entertained at many venues from Wollongong to Berry and everywhere in between, at Christmas in July and Christmas parties. The dancers love dressing up and she has oodles of photo albums of the dance groups: “River Prance, Sister Act, Slice Girls, Hocus Pocus, Chicago (for our 10th anniversary) and charity shows were amazing.”

The Kiama Bootscooters Club has gifted some $22 thousand to Kiama SES and Kiama Lions Club Cancer Care Fund. The money was raised from the overwhelming support from everyone involved in the dance.

Line dancing in Kiama has always had a larger percentage of ladies and many retirees looking for something different to do. “The guys tend to be a little shy about dancing,” she reveals. “Many of the kids who came with their parents to the dance are now parents themselves and when they heard about the 30-year celebration they put up their hand to be there,” Joan adds.

Joan still holds classes on Monday and Wednesday at the hall and at present has no plans to retire. Her mantra to all is “Leave your troubles at the door, come inside, join in, and be part of the music, dance, laughter, fun and friendship. Kiama line dancers are a family.”



The luncheon at KLC and the Dance Night before will be wonderful celebratory occasions – a time to meet up with old friends and share happy memories. Joan would like “to see all your beautiful happy faces.” To contact Joan phone (02) 4885 2397 or call in at the Hall.