Julie Sidery-Wood

Stars of The North 2025

Julie Sidery Wood

My family and I have been blessed to be part of the Northbridge community for nearly 28 years.  After a busy corporate life in Healthcare Marketing for me, it has been the perfect place to raise a family and get involved in the local schools and community.

Currently, I'm enjoying being a regular volunteer at my local aged care home and have recently become a Movement Practitioner with "Dance Health Alliance,"  a not for profit organisation, running therapeutic dance programs for seniors in aged care and community centres.   It’s such a rewarding role to share the joy of dance with people who thought their dancing days were behind them, while improving their physical, cognitive and social well-being all at the same time!  

I took up dancing late in life, joining the mum's class at my kids local studio.  Not wanting to cramp their style, (or was it them cramping mine, )  led me to Active Dance, a wonderful group of mums in Lane Cove.  These days I'm dancing more than ever at G Power Dance Fitness, with a fab, mixed group between twenty and seventy plus years, which l absolutely love as it helps me to feel eighteen again, several times a week!  

Through the studio, I've been supporting Stars of The North for the last couple of years, having sadly lost my dad, father-in-law and two beautiful aunties to cancer.  We've also witnessed the courage and resilience of others in our extended circles on their own journey's.  The decision to take to the stage myself this year though, is personal, following the recent passing of one of our dearest friends.

Embracing our 2025 motto of, “If Not Now, When?” I see this as an opportunity to honour her, our dads, and other friends and family, by doing something I love  to make a difference.  

I believe we can all be dancing queens, regardless of our age, ability, or experience—it’s just about having a go and some fun on the way!  I couldn't think of a better way (however nerve wracking,) to raise money for this essential cause.  Thank you for your support!

My Updates

1 Week and Counting...

The nerves are certainly setting in now with just 7 days remaining.
In the background, the exercises continue, (probably not as much as they should be,) and the family are now immune to my constant updates about the event, with daughter commenting how, it only took me 50 secs. before the conversation took a turn on my arrival home yesterday.  
Well there's a lot going on, besides the usual, afterall...
Meeting deadlines for securing sponsorships and auction prizes so generously donated by local businesses, not to mention trying to learn how to harness the powers of social media to spread the word, re: tickets and donations, (everything takes me SO long, but I'm getting there.). Then there's finalising the 6 tables of amazing supporters that I have coming on the night, the costumes, music and most importantly, the REHEARSALS! 
We got to go on the stage at Norths this week which was both daunting and empowering, just to feel the space and size of the room, imagining it under lights with a crowd of 450 people! Yeah, don't want to dwell on that one... eek..
Thursday, was a fun, new experience, supporting fellow "Star," Linsey, in her fundraising.  I signed up for a headshot experience at "Storytellers" in North Sydney, meeting pro dancers, Kaitlyn and Kylie, with her business partner Phillip, from "Best Version."  Such a fun morning, getting cues from the professionals, not ever having a professional headshot before - they've promised it will take 10 years off me! 


2 Weeks To Go!!

The last 2 weeks have disappeared like 2 days, as the pace hots up towards May 31st!  The leg continues to heal, which means I've been able to rehearse, get back to some of my usual dance classes at 
G Power Dance and I've even recommenced running my seniors dance classes back in Aged Care via Dance Health Alliance.  So good to get back to everything and reconnect with everyone whose been giving me so much support.

Along the way I've been busy spreading the word, getting more familiar with social media, (god help me,) and fundraising, so that now I am getting close to reaching my new target of $10,000. 

Busy morning today, before reuniting with my dance pals,  supporting the  Northbridge Progress Ass'n hosting their own Australia's Biggest Morning Tea event.  It was great to see the Northbridge Community coming out to support another one of Cancer Council's more well known fundraising initiatives.  Local member Tim James, and Bradfield Liberal Candidate, Gisele Kapterian, John Chase & Peter Russell of NPA (202) and Rotary fame all in attendance. 

Only 4 weeks to go- Filming Day!

The physio & exercises continue, while all the things I should & want to be doing are not!  Briony and I finally get to walk through some moves & tentatively feel out the leg..  2 more weeks before full impact  is advised.. Frustrating to say the least so have been trying to remain positive & focus on other important things for the event, like fundraising, organising support for the night & getting the awareness out there…  And if I didn’t feel like it was ever going to happen, the Filming Day brought home the goal in 4 weeks time!  
Recording the pre-performance interviews was fun albeit slightly nerve wracking, but it was great to finally meet some of the other dancers along with the amazing, Rob Lopez, our very own, Sonia Krueger” for the night! 

There’s Nothing Like Community!

Have been blessed to receive lots of  support, well wishes  & donations from all the various pockets of my Northbridge community! 

Bracing For The Worst, Hoping For The Best

Having confirmed the fracture & tear, my partner Briony & I were unsure if we’d be able to go ahead with the event given the 6-8 weeks healing needed for the bone & muscle.   This would put a huge amount of pressure on the weeks leading up to the event with no real guarantees it would be ok.. 
So with the help of  Mc Connell Physio,  I’ve been receiving bi-weekly  physio, & doing no impact exercises, whilst abstaining from rehearsals and all the things I normally do!  

Ironic “twist” of fate & case of bad timing!

April was Falls Prevention Month In Aged Care! 
If only it was in March- I slipped & fell on a wet road walking my dog on March 31st, only to discover  I’d sustained a small fracture &  torn my calf muscle just 8 weeks out from the event! 
“ Not happy Jan!” 

The journey begins…

Thank you to my Sponsors

$1,000

Travelplan Ski Sponsorship

$515

Rob Woods

Have fun Julie

$515

Stephen Wood

We are very proud of you. Doing what you love for a cause close to our hearts.

$515

Philip & Rebecca Wensley

Dance your heart out Julie ... super fun!!! ... best wishes, Philip & Rebecca

$500

Paradice Investment Management

$300

Jane And Mark Camilleri

Very brace Julie! Enjoy it

$300

Tanya Singer

Go Julie have fun xx

$260.75

Keryn And Paul Brunner

Have a ball!

$260.75

Suzanne Edwards

Great cause Julie! Good on you for all you do xxx

$260.75

Tracy Van Eck

Julie you are amazing, enjoy!

$260.75

Nick Wood

Go Julie, you are a Star!

$250

Victor Gomes

$250

Nat Kosovich

Best wishes Jules ❤️

$208.60

Nick Mcgarrigle

Happy dancing!!

$208.60

Martine

Well done for supporting a great cause xx

$200

David And Juliet Wensley

Almost there Julie - knock them out on the day. Sorry we won’t be there.

$168.80

Natasha O’brien

Great moves, great cause.

$158.25

Fi, Campbell And Zoe Richardson

Can’t wait to see your moves! Xx

$158.25

Janine & Paul Parsons

Julie you are an absolute superstar!! We are so proud of you and all the work you’ve put into this. Have the best night ever!!! Xx

$158.25

Sara And Rory Lucas

$150

Juliet & Randolph

Go you dancing queen!

$106.12

Suzanne Mason

Good luck

$106.12

Jane Mulray

Good luck and have fun Julie!

$106.12

Michelle Minetti

Good luck for Saturday night Julie. This is such a fun way to support such a worthy cause. 🥰🥰

$106.12

Kate Goodsall

Have fun and good luck!

$106.12

Trish Wood

$106.12

Peter Dempsey

$106.12

Duggan + Della

Julie Good on you for doing this! Rach & I are with you every dance step.

$106.12

Neil Watson

Only to happy to support this wonderful cause

$106.12

Julie Condon

Enjoy the night

$106.12

Rachel Fryer

Good luck Julie! You are a star! ⭐️

$106.12

Thomas And Leslie Wait

Your a star Julie

$106.12

John Newton

$106.12

Allan Pollack

Best wishes and good luck Julie!

$106.12

Anonymous

Well done Julie, what a great cause! Hope you have a fun evening and raise lots of money. Enjoy! Xxx

$106.12

Max Menzies

From Max and Kate Menzies

$106.12

Mandy & Ian Gibson

You are a star Julie! 💕💃🏻

$106.12

Jane Bush

$106.12

Tony Hammond

Great cause Julie. Our son spent 3 weeks in ICU when he was 7wks old at Westmeade and the starlight program out there was just tremendous.. never forget them. ❤️ (PS I’m an old work contact of Stephen)…

$106.12

Elizabeth Mcdonald

$106.12

John Sexton

Good luck Julie

$106.12

Triona O' Donoghue

Congratulations Julie. Hope all goes well on Saturday night.

$106.12

Jo Knox

Go Julie! 🤩

$106.12

Rory Macintyre

Well done and best of luck with it Julie. Cheers Rory Mac

$106.12

Nicole

A fantastic cause! Thank you for making me feel so welcome at G Power Dance :)

$106.12

Phil & Lorna Lynch

$106.12

Johnno C

$106.12

John Chase

Go4it Julie

$106.12

Geraldine Smith

Great work Julie - you’re a 🌟

$106.12

Jenny Gay

Thank you

$103.72

Ellen

You are a superstar, Julie! 💐🌟

$100

Jillian Maxwell

Have no doubt you will be fabulous Julie!

$90.70

Steph

Chookas Julie, such a good cause!

$75

Tom Mattioli

$54.12

Sheri Wood

So proud of you mum!

$54.12

Cassidy Wood

Proud of you!!

$54.12

Sarah Peddie

Go Julie & Briony!!! You’re going to be brilliant, I'm cheering you on from a distance 💃🏻🪩❤️

$54.12

Angela Aloisio

Well done Julie! Dance your heart out xxxx Angela and Philip

$54.12

Rosemarie Bartels

$54.12

Sam Lucas

Smash it Julie!! So impressive 🙌

$54.12

Julie Beatty

Good luck tonight Jules. Sorry I can’t be there to watch you shine!

$54.12

Rosemary Quirico

Go Julie!!

$54.12

Rowena Faenza

Go Julie!

$54.12

Susan Prescott

Julie and Briony, I have been out of the loop and only just found out about this! You are both AMAZING and I wish you all the luck in the world!! 😘😘

$54.12

Julie Sanders

Proud of your devotion!

$54.12

Fiona Evans

Great work 🌟💃

$54.12

Therese Pauley

“If not now when” love that! You go Julie 🤗

$54.12

Fiona Nyman

Go Jules! Always full of energy and helping others. Love that you’re helping beat cancer in this upbeat way. Xx

$54.12

Margaret Kate Benecke

Fabulous effort Jules, good luck. Xx

$54.12

Celia Sheldon

$54.12

Fran Murrie

Go girl!!

$54.12

Louise

Dance the night away!

$54.12

Lois Ess

Well done Julie keep dancing your way to the top for a good cause.

$54.12

Danielle Warren-smith

$54.12

Julia Pannett

Go Julie! So excited for you in taking on this challenge and have loved reading your weekly updates. Will be thinking of you this weekend. JPX

$54.12

Tamara Sweeney

You are amazing and best of luck for the weekend!

$54.12

Mitchell Wood

Go the Juice

$54.12

Alice Oconnor

Well done & good luck 🍀

$54.12

Elsie Tanudji

Have an amazing dance night Julie, supporting this great cause!

$54.12

Lia

Have a fabulous time dancing for this wonderful cause. xx

$54.12

Jodi Zimmer

Go Julie Go!!! You will smash it! 🩷

$53.52

Tammy Shimada

Fantastic work Julie!

$50

Francoise Ballard

Go Julie! Well done on taking on this challenge for a great cause.

$50

Jane And David J

$50

Catarina Tautphaeus

Well done Julie and a great cause

$43.60

Sophia Vermaas

I am so proud of you for doing this Julie! I loved teaching you (and your girls) all those years ago! I wish I could come and watch you but I know you will be amazing! Good luck! And chookas!

$43.60

Silvia

Julie, your dedication is an inspiration to the entire community. I can't wait to see you shine out there!

$27.81

Anonymous

Well done Julie what a great effort

$27.81

Pam Watson

Well done, Julie! All the best. Px

$27.81

Peter Russell

$27.81

Julie Langford- Brown

Go twinkle toes!

$27.81

Stephanie Turner

Good luck Julie!

$27.81

Jacqui Saric

You’re a star ⭐️

$27.81

Jules W

You’re a star! Well done Julie x

$27.81

Mary-helen Daly

Wonderful way to support cancer research and spread joy through dance

$27.81

Yvonne Appleby

Congratulations, Julie! Giselle & GPower are the best! I'm sure you'll be amazing!!!!

$25

Anonymous

$25

Queenie Chau

$22.58

Anonymous

$22.58

Sarah Dacombe

$17.16

Alexander Vinokurov

Hi, Julie. I have sent two donations: $10 and $15. Regards, Alex

$17.16

Laura Brooks

Great work Julie. X

$17.16

Tim James

Go Julie - we’re proud of you!

$11.65

Angel Lolakis’s

Good luck Julie you’re doing it for a great cause x Angel x

$11.65

Alexander Vinokurov