Dancing sends couple to Vienna

Rockhampton couple Justin Sharrock and Amy Westbrook.

IT’S love on and off the dance floor for Rockhampton couple Justin Sharrock and Amy Westbrook.

Together they have conquered the art of ballroom dancing and established themselves among the best in the world in just four short years.

They will represent Australia in the World Dance Championships in Vienna, Austria, this November but they need community support to get them there.

Justin, 21, is following in his parents John and Lynette’s footsteps who danced competitively for 10 years and were state champions themselves.

John said Justin had always danced and could reverse waltz when he was two.

Amy’s story is slightly different.

She went along to ballroom dancing lessons six years ago with her parents and brother.

Her brother was getting married and they all wanted to learn some basic dance moves.

Amy’s passion and determination continued from there.

The 25-year-old partnered with Justin four years ago and they have been extensively training at Mandersons Dance Centre in Rockhampton six days a week.

“We are passionate about representing both Queensland and Australia,” Justin said.

“This year we’ve had the opportunity to train with some of the world’s best coaches. We strive for excellence with our dancing.”

Justin and Amy’s impressive list of accomplishments include Queensland Latin Champions, Queensland ten dance champions three years running, and runner-up Australian ten dance champions this year.

They fly to Singapore in October as Queensland representatives, Austria in November and back for the Australian dance championships held in Melbourne in December.

The invitation to dance in the World Ten Dance Championships in Vienna is a career highlight for Justin and Amy. Until then the couple are frantically trying to raise the funds to enable them to compete in the world championships.

Last weekend they showcased their Ten Dance Event – in the styles of waltz, tango, foxtrot, vienna waltz, quickstep, cha cha, samba, rumba, paso doble and jive – at a fundraiser at Rockhampton High School.

This weekend (Saturday) they will be fundraising at the Bicycle Queensland event at Yeppoon.

If you or your business would like to sponsor Justin and Amy call Connie on 4939 2624.