FAMILY FUN: Grandmother Siv Casey, mother Ann Hagerthy, and daughter Sienna Hagerthy. Picture: Maitland Physical Culture

When sport meets dance, Physical Culture is born.
Sisters Kerry Bellette and Tracey Tighe established Maitland Physical Culture in 2018 – and today, the not-for-profit organisation is home to more than 70 members.
Three of those members are grandmother, mother and daughter trio Siv Casey, Ann Hagerthy and Sienna Hagerthy.
Ms Casey said she was very excited and blessed to have the chance to compete again after a 30-year break as an “oldie”.
“Physie exercises every part of your body including your mind ,” she said. “That is one of the reasons I have returned, to give me the chance to keep physically active and be able to keep up with my grandchildren’s activities.

“Some changes I have seen in the last 50 to 60 years are the updating from short tunics to leotards and the removal of ballet shoes.

“But perhaps the biggest change is that there is no longer a dear lady sitting in the corner playing the piano music which we performed to at every lesson and competition.”

It’s very special to me to be doing physie with my mum and my daughter.

Ann Hagerthy
Naturally, her daughter Ann Hagerthy developed a love of the physical activity.
“It’s very special to me to be doing physie with my mum and my daughter together,” Ms Hagerthy said.
“I have a very close relationship with mum and to share physie practices, tips, and comps together is just the best.
“Being a part of Maitland physie club makes it that much more special.
“We have such a wonderful group of girls; supportive parents; and ladies, including mums.”

What is physical culture?
Also known as ‘physie’, it is a fusion of dance and sport that is safe and fun for all ages from 3 to 73 and older.
Maitland Physie is a club guided by the overarching BJP Physical Culture organisation which has more than 10,000 Australian members and is celebrating its 126th year.
“It involves several dance types as well as exercise routines focused on core strength, balance and flexibility,” Ms Tighe said.
“What’s different about physical culture is that it’s for everyone. All ages and all abilities can attend classes and compete if they wish.”
On August 24 and 25, Maitland Physie members are off to compete at Bonny Hills interclub before commencing our Newcastle Zone and Team competitions in September through to November.