In 2002, what started as just a simple speck of an idea by Tony and Stephanie Meggitt has grown into an amazing organisation providing everything they envisioned and more. Their dream was to open and operate an organisation aimed to provide people in the community living with a disability and for women aged over 40 a place to go to interact with other people, make friends, have fun and gain some health benefits at the same time.
Here’s to Life opened as a not-for-profit organisation in 2003 running dancercise, jazz and tap programs taught by Sue Harvey. In Tony and Stephanie’s 12 years as administrators Here’s to Life continued to grow offering new classes and expanding the operating days. They were champions for all their members but particularly for the members involved who are living with a disability. Participation was encouraged on every level, and they held the first of what was to become an Annual Variety Concert showcasing all that the wonderful members could achieve no matter age or ability.
In 2014, Tony and Stephanie retired from Here’s to Life and handed management over to the vivacious Sue Harvey. Sue had been writing and teaching programs for Here’s to Life for many years prior but came into her own with the ability to take on the management role alongside the creative role. Sue continued to try new ideas and programs; and upheld the tradition of the annual concert which became a yearly highlight for many of the Here’s to Life family.
Sue left the organisation as Manager in 2022, leaving an amazing legacy for the current Manager, Renee Allotta. Renee continues to add new and exciting programs to the Here’s to Life timetable including line dancing and a special ballet barre program in 2026. Sue was invited by the committee to remain part of the Here’s to Life family by accepting the role of patron.
As the organisation’s name suggests, Here’s to Life is a celebration of life; and our programs are about participation without pressure or expectation. We encourage all or our members to ‘do what they can’ in class in a stress-free and fun environment; knowing that with each class attended the consistency will bring confidence, friendships, growing fitness and physical and emotional benefits.
We have two streams of programs:
In recent years it has given the Here’s to Life teaching faculty and the organisation’s committee great pleasure to watch members gain the strength, ability and confidence to participate at a more advanced level and/or move from one program to another.
If members choose to do so there is a myriad of performance opportunities to participate in; ranging from small concerts within local nursing homes and retirement villages, to eisteddfod competitions, to large-scale variety concerts and much more.
Here’s to Life also offer many volunteering opportunities within the organisation for those less inclined or unable to participate, but who connect with the Here’s to Life mantra of fun, friendship and fitness and want to be involved so they can tap into such a rewarding and uplifting experience as simple as helping others. You do not have to be a member or participate in a program to volunteer with Here’s to Life. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out via the Contact Us page on this website.