Our History
Collaroy Plateau Physical Culture Club, which is affiliated with the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture, has been a part of the Northern Beaches community for over 50 years. In the early years of the club it was taught by several different teachers before coming under the instruction of Kristen Munro who began teaching physi in 1983.
Kristen herself was a student at the Narrabeen Physical Culture Club and continued her participation in this club for a number of years, whilst at the same time enjoying teaching at Collaroy Plateau.
Kristen was a much loved, highly respected and dedicated instructress who had great success with her students over her 18 years of teaching before retiring at the end of 2001. It was difficult to replace Kristen, however the club continued under the direction of Helen Hines (Seniors and Ladies) and Janice Lees (Juniors).
Helen had previously taught the highly successful Narrabeen Physical Culture Club for 12 years, from 1979 to 1991 and was elected President of the Board of the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture, a position she then held for the following 25 years. It was at the end of 2016 that Helen announced her retirement from both teaching and her role on the Board. In 2017, the role of Seniors and Ladies Instructress passed to Nicole Newton. 2018 was a wonderful year, with two-time Grand Champion Girl Alice Hanna taking the reigns of the club and the role of Senior Instructress; a role that she will continue in 2022.
Kristen herself was a student at the Narrabeen Physical Culture Club and continued her participation in this club for a number of years, whilst at the same time enjoying teaching at Collaroy Plateau.
Kristen was a much loved, highly respected and dedicated instructress who had great success with her students over her 18 years of teaching before retiring at the end of 2001. It was difficult to replace Kristen, however the club continued under the direction of Helen Hines (Seniors and Ladies) and Janice Lees (Juniors).
Helen had previously taught the highly successful Narrabeen Physical Culture Club for 12 years, from 1979 to 1991 and was elected President of the Board of the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture, a position she then held for the following 25 years. It was at the end of 2016 that Helen announced her retirement from both teaching and her role on the Board. In 2017, the role of Seniors and Ladies Instructress passed to Nicole Newton. 2018 was a wonderful year, with two-time Grand Champion Girl Alice Hanna taking the reigns of the club and the role of Senior Instructress; a role that she will continue in 2022.
Over the years, the Junior Instructress role has been shared by a number of dedicated Physi ladies; Barbara Sullivan, Alice Hanna, Leonie Felan and Nicole Newton. In 2017, the Junior Instructress role was taken on by Rachel Hammond (2016 Grand Champion - Second Year Intermediate Seniors) and she has continued in this role for 2021.
2018 saw us extend our reach to the Lower North Shore with Nicole Newton starting a small Tiny Tots class in Artarmon. As this class grew (in number and ages), so too did the need for a new teaching space and additional age groups. In mid-2019 these classes moved into studio space at GPower Dance Naremburn and the classes continued to grow. 2022 will see these classes continue, with the addition of a 9-10 Years class and teams being formed.
Over the years our club members have won over 40 Champion Girl/Lady titles, 4 Grand Champion titles and in excess of 60 Team Championships; including our prolific Advanced Ladies team which has won 18 Team Championships, 17 of those consecutively!
We are sure the club will continue to flourish under the direction of a dedicated committee of physie ladies and our three highly-involved instructresses. For more information on our current Instructresses see the Our Instructresses page.
To find out more about the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture and the founder of the School, Miss Edith Parsons (affectionately known as ‘Teach’) please visit the website of the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture.
2018 saw us extend our reach to the Lower North Shore with Nicole Newton starting a small Tiny Tots class in Artarmon. As this class grew (in number and ages), so too did the need for a new teaching space and additional age groups. In mid-2019 these classes moved into studio space at GPower Dance Naremburn and the classes continued to grow. 2022 will see these classes continue, with the addition of a 9-10 Years class and teams being formed.
Over the years our club members have won over 40 Champion Girl/Lady titles, 4 Grand Champion titles and in excess of 60 Team Championships; including our prolific Advanced Ladies team which has won 18 Team Championships, 17 of those consecutively!
We are sure the club will continue to flourish under the direction of a dedicated committee of physie ladies and our three highly-involved instructresses. For more information on our current Instructresses see the Our Instructresses page.
To find out more about the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture and the founder of the School, Miss Edith Parsons (affectionately known as ‘Teach’) please visit the website of the Edith Parsons School of Physical Culture.
