Q: Sheila you were recently immortalized in a mural wall in Eastwood – what was that about?
A: Ryde council were wanting to recognize local people who had contributed to the community for a long time. I was nominated because I have taught physical culture in the area for over 3 decades and the next thing you know my face was up there on the wall!
Q: How did you first get involved in physyie?
A: I used to teach ballet but, in 1964, I moved to Sydney and had children so running my own dancing school wasn’t an option. Two friends introduced me to physical culture at Gladesville club and Mrs Doris Masters. I went to one class and thought “I will never go back!” But I was coaxed back by “Mrs M” asking if I would go in a team, which sounded a lot more exciting, so I decided to give it a go. After all, I was meeting new friends, doing some exercise for myself and I found, to my surprise, that I was enjoying my nights at physie.
Q: What’s your most memorable physie moment?
A: It’s not exactly a glorious one but… the first year that Ladies wore leotards instead of tunics in the late 60’s, I wore my best white undies and, unfortunately, they showed every time I did a sideways bend. Mrs M was NOT impressed! L But then came the individual competitions for Ladies and I was ready for lots of fun but found that this was serious business! I still had fun, won a medal and was hooked!
Q: How did you become a physie teacher?
A: By 1969 I was desperate to start teaching again so I told Mrs M that I was leaving physie to start a new dance school. She immediately asked me to teach the juniors at Gladesville, where I am still teaching 37 years later! She was a very hard ‘task master’ but I learnt so much from her and we became great friends. I will always be grateful to her and my two dear friends for introducing me to this great sport!!
Q: What makes physie so special for you?
A: It would have to be family and friends – I introduced my mother to physie (who taught in Culburra for many years), my sister, my daughter, my niece and my granddaughters to physie. I’ve also introduced many friends to physie – some stayed, some didn’t – but all of them benefited in some way from what physie have to offer.
Q: And what is that?
A: Fun, Fitness, Integrity and Friendship! Plus, where else can you start at 3 years and continue to 83?…. or more!
164 Senior Physie Teams Shine at Sunday’s Competition
It doesn’t get much better than this! Participating in the sport that we love so much, with our
Competition Excitement!
There’s a lot of wisdom in this quote for physie girls who want to do well in their
JUNIOR A & B GRADE TEAMS DAY!
It doesn’t get much better than this! Participating in the sport that we love so much, with our
Tip Of The Week
Prop On Side Lie on one side, legs together and toes pointed. Ensure that your feet don’t sickle!
10,000 Members!!!!!
We have reached 10,000 BJP members!Welcome and congratulations to Connie Lee from the Connells Point Physie Club!!!!Reaching this
Performing Art Gallery
Photography by Heidi Boardman