Mel found swing dancing (via an ad in the local paper) in February 2000 … and hasn’t stopped dancing since. Countless classes, workshops, socials and festivals followed, and a stint in one of Swing Patrol’s early performance troupes. In 2009 she co-founded Club Maxie’s, as a hub for Melbourne’s Balboa and Collegiate Shag lovers. Now, in 2026 (about 24 years after dancing Swing Patrol’s first ever Shag routine) Mel is excited to be teaching Collegiate Shag at Maxie’s, and sharing this fun and flowing dance with more people.

Photo credit: Happy Snaps by Janice (Swing Patrol Performance Ball 2019 – Collegiate Shag routine)