Xavier and Meg Dance for Cancer

Xavier Bonsembiante is a warm and affectionate young man who welcomes anyone he meets like a long lost friend and brings joy to all those who spend time with him. 

He is tenacious, very definite about things and likes routine which could be tricky at times growing up in a boisterous household  with three loving brothers – Ignacio, Benedict and Rafael. 

Xav has enjoyed work experience with a variety of businesses in Young. Gary in the fruit and veg section at Woolies says "Xav is already a star.. he brings life and goodness to the day",  Juicy Lucy’s with Brian, as the meeter and greeter at Big W…one year Easter coincided with his placement and customers were spoiling him with Easter eggs which he thoroughly enjoyed! During his work placement at  Ballinaclash he had the opportunity to taste their cherry ice cream of which he was a big fan and also returned home with a pocket full of tips after being the star in everyone’s photos. 

He is an active volunteer in the Young community, helping out at The Food Hall, Mercy Place, Mount St Joseph’s Nursing Home and Meals on Wheels. Xav is a well-known face at the Mercy Care Centre, where his mum works, and regularly helps with their fundraising events such as barbecues and cake stalls. He also enthusiastically stood in for Santa Clause at last year's Mercy Care Centre Christmas Carol's when Santa was unable to attend.

Xav is a big fan of Cobra Kai, Power Rangers and Harry Potter but The Wiggles are his all-time favourite! He knows just about all their songs and dance moves off by heart. The highlight of Xav’s life so far would have to be meeting The Wiggles backstage after their concert. His favourite Wiggle is always yellow. 

Xav enjoys playing sport, particularly basketball with his Active Mate support worker. He is an avid fan of many sports and predicts the ACT Brumbies, Sydney Roosters, Young Yabbies, the Cherry Pickers and Young Lions will take out the premiership in their respective competitions! 

He tries to keep fit and is “strongly encouraged” to attend the gym and take walks. Xav  is at Omnia Support Service three days a week and two days a week with his friend Meg and their support worker Marita. Meg is always reminding Xav to bring his togs for swimming but he mostly forgets and while Meg is doing her laps Xav has been spotted enjoying a hot chocolate. While Meg and Xav don’t always see eye to eye on everything they do enjoy dancing… The Wiggles for Xav and 80’s tunes for Meg. Every Monday night they both go to Dancing in the Moonlight with Caroline and a small group including their friend Megan, which is what brought them to this point. 

Meg and Xav are both so happy and excited to be involved with the 2025 “Stars of Young” event. They are hoping to raise a lot of money for the Cancer Council’s services in our Young region so get ready to dig deep. 

Dancer two is Miss Meggie Johnson who is a well-known young lady in the communities of Young, Harden and Bribbaree. Meg recently turned 28… which her mother is still adjusting to. 

Meg is a truly free spirited and happy young lady who is involved in many community activities and volunteering as well as fitness and family activities. 

Meg spent all of her childhood living on a farm in Bribbaree with her 2 brothers Angus and Fraser. It was a wonderful upbringing having many of the adventures farm children do, herding sheep on the motorbike, climbing on hay bales and helping out in the sheep yard and running her Megs Eggs business and keeping an eye out for brown snakes. She also rode her pushbike many kilometres a week riding down the old farm house at Illawong and then riding home again to keep fit. The dogs Missy Jessie Mac and Snowy would always accompany Meg on her rides. 

During infants Meggie learnt how to swim and has been swimming ever since. Three years ago she raised close to $4000 for sick children on the Super-Swim Fund Raiser and swam 31 kilometres in 28 days, quite a feat for a small package! 

Today Meg has a very busy week helping at Juicy Lucy’s with the wonderful Brian and attending the School of Music with the wonderful Nicole. Here Meg learns the latest new song to belt out in her flat baritone at the next School of Music Concert. Her love of music and singing is next level and she can often be heard at 108 Hardy’s Road raising the roof. 

Meg also volunteers doing two days of Meals on Wheels, calling Bingo and visiting and assisting at the Retirement Villages, and participating in drumming , craft, gym, dancing and Equine Therapy just to mention a few things 

Miss Meg still swims nearly every day to keep fit and does an exercise class in the morning in her bedroom before heading off with Ms Marita Cameron for her many daily adventures. On Mondays Thursday and Fridays she catches up with her great mate Mr Xavier Bonsembiante and between the two they keep Ms Marita well and truly on her toes. 

Weekends and most days she keeps her mother very organised and on her toes as well with her lists, reminders and pranks and mischievous sense of humour. Weekends are also a great time to catch up with beloved Nan and Pop and spend time beating them both in Strip Jack Naked and Dominos. The rest of the weekend is spent in her beloved orchard and vegetable garden.