Update 01/05/2012

Not long to go now until  every body gets to see  the stars on stage.Lauren has been a very patient teacher through the process and we feel now that we may get a result. Our dance is now completed and we are in the process of cleaning up some of our moves.

DWTCS has been a great experience for all of us to show how a small community like Cooma and the surrounding towns come together to give so generously to such a fantastic cause.

Our fundraiser " St Patricks day" raised over $3000.00 and the Major raffle is selling well.

A big thank you goes out to all the people that have already sponsored myself and Lauren as well as a thank you to the people out there that will soon hopefully donate.

Finally, Congratulations to all the other stars who have had fundraisers so far as they have all been very successful

Cheers

Chris and Lauren

STAR - CHRIS ALLEN
PARTNER – LAUREN SWAIN

I am a born-and-bred-in-Cooma boy, and my first reaction to being asked to participate in Dancing with the Cooma Stars was “no way in the world can I dance!”  And here I go....

I have my own business as a landscape gardener in Cooma, which I love doing.  I also enjoy my work for the Rural Fire Service, and as a retained firefighter for the NSW Fire Rescue Service.

My mum Gail is in Cooma and I have one brother in Cooma and another near Maitland NSW.  I would be nowhere without my wife of 16 years Jacki and my three fantastic boys Hugh (14), Charlie (12) and Archie (10).  My passion in life is seeing my boys succeed to the best of their ability in whatever they put their mind to.  That also extends to my other love: Cooma Rugby, where it’s great to see kids reach their potential out there on the field.

My wife Jacki was the one that TOLD me that it would be a good idea if I accepted the invitation to dance.  After the success of last time, who could refuse to participate in this wonderful event that helps such a great cause.  I just hope I can find that co-ordination and am putting my entire confidence in my partner Lauren Swain.  I’m sure I will be stretching her powers of patience as she strives to teach me the moves, but it will be fun, and she assures me I’ll be ship shape on the night.

LAUREN SWAIN PROFILE

I’ve been living in Cooma for all my 16 years.  I’m now in year 11 at Monaro High School, and I work as a student dance teacher at Monaro dance centre.

Teaching Hip Hop has been a passion for me.  I love to entertain, and I absolutely love to be able to give kids the opportunity to learn a fun, creative and enjoyable way to express themselves.  It makes me so happy to see all my students go home with a massive smile on their face.

My beautiful mother Janine Swain and father Stephen Swain have always given me the best opportunities.  How thankful I am to be blessed with such amazing parents. The same goes with my grandparents Lyn and Peter Swain and my Nan Myrtle James.  My second mothers Aunty Ellen Upton and Aunty Jodie Swain are always there for me too, along with all my other beautiful aunts, uncles and cousins. Then there’s my younger brother Daniel, who can be rather frustrating and infuriating at times, but we’re pretty close and get on well most of the time. Then there are my best friends, who are like my non-blood family, Brianna Kerr, Ellen Sewell, and of course Blayne Thomas my wonderful boyfriend and best friend.

My family are the best people I know in the entire world.

Recently I visited Europe on a school drama trip.  This was something I will never, ever forget.

In my spare time I enjoy listening to music, hanging with my friends, playing with Willa my whippet, playing any form of sport, having picnics at the river and just relaxing.

In accepting the invitation to participate in this event, I want to support one of the most worthwhile causes in the Monaro community, and I’ve seen both my grandparents get cancer and be helped in so many ways.

The biggest challenge I might expect to face along the way would probably be organising my time, but don’t worry, I’ll make sure Chris and I give one hell of a performance.  And I’ll learn a whole lot of things along the way – about Chris, about myself, about MCCR, and the rest of the crew.  Look out, here we come...