Maree, who also roped in husband, James, performed in ‘Strictly Musical’ over three nights in Cooma after months of rehearsals and fundraising.

A number of Bombala locals took the opportunity to dress up for the black tie event, travelling to Cooma to see Maree and James perform in the charity spectacular.

Following is the report from mcCr -

The Monaro Committee for Cancer Research’s (mcCr) Strictly Musical came together in spectacular form for all three performances on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at the Cooma Multi-Function Centre.

Six unique acts starring a total of 37 local ‘celebrity’ dancers took to the stage to perform Thriller, Grease, Priscilla Queen of the Desert, The Jersey Boys, Mamma Mia and Chicago.

The clever choreography, costumes, lighting, music and absolute commitment to learning the dance steps was rewarded as the crowd cheered on the local stars.  

Hosts Tim Sparkle (aka Nigel Griffiths) and Jim Walker-Broose together with judges Rosie O’Sullivan, Lisa Brookes and Kayla Bogatek kept the crowd entertained.

“Our community is incredible, it never ceases to amaze me,” says mcCr President, Sandy Schofield.

“These dancers, our committee and this community came together to raise an incredible $175 800 before the performance events through fundraising activities, the car raffle and donations in boxes all over the region.

“We expect this figure to increase to more than $200,000 once the figures are finalised.  This money will go to help cancer patients and their families across our three shires – Bombala, Snowy River and Cooma Monaro as part of our Financial Assistance Scheme.

“Cancer can strike anyone at anytime, it has no boundaries and our community is united in support for our local people with cancer and in the fight against it. Everyone from across the region comes together for this event and this cause and that is what makes this incredibly special,” says Sandy.

“Over the past 12 weeks these dancers have taken us all on a whirlwind journey all over the world - from the wrong side of the tracks in New Jersey to Rydell High, out back Australia, to the Greek Island,  the Museum of Michael Jackson and the stage in Chicago… they have laughed, danced and celebrated and along the way they have bought so much joy to the lives of so many people. We can’t thank the dancers and choreographers enough for their absolute commitment.”

The mcCr worked tirelessly in the background to take the vision to reality and bring the whole event together. The team together with the Cooma Lions Club transformed the venue with banners of colour from the ceiling and walls of silver.   Special thanks to the Cooma Car Club team for organising and running the bar and to everyone who joined the committee to help delivery 1400 meals and endless drinks over the three events. Thank you to the talented backstage crew for their work in the sound, lighting, costumes and sets – another perfect performance.

Since its inception in 1996 mcCr has been instrumental in developing an Oncology Unit in Cooma, providing essential equipment for this facility, training for nurses, support for local families under FAS and significant contributions to cancer research projects.