Unless you count the late night/early mornings Billie-Rae White can be found tearing up the dance-floor at the Royal Hotel with her mates, her dance experience is nil.
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"Dance is not my thing unless it's at the Royal with the girls," said the bubbly 29-year-old who describes her dance style as "uncoordinated, bogan and silly".
"This challenge is absolutely huge for me."
Like the many Stars of Orange that have come before her, Ms White is putting aside self-consciousness as well as nerves to compete in the gala night that raises funds for Cancer Council.
Part of that has involved teaming up with dance instructors from Central West Gym Sports to spend the next few months learning a choreographed routine to perform in front of a large audience on June 26.
"As scary as it may, be it's gonna be fun," Ms White said, adding that she was motivated to do it because "you won't find anyone who hasn't been affected in some way" by cancer". She herself lost an uncle less than eight weeks after he was diagnosed with skin cancer.
"The Cancer Council work is so important. The work they do to support people with cancer is unbelievable. I didn't realise how much they did until signing up to this and seeing what they offer," she said.
"Everyone has lost someone to cancer in one way or another and having a support system that's so close by is a great feeling knowing that it's close to home."
The 29-year-old who works at the family business, Whitey's Smoko Shed, said she planned to host a number of fundraising nights leading up to the gala.
"I am very excited. It's such a good cause and it's going to be a fun night."
Funds raised from the gala night will go towards ensuring local cancer accommodation facility, Lionel & Joan Smith House, can continue to be a free home-away-from-home for cancer patients and their families.
This year's event is aiming to raise $100,000 for Cancer Council's services in the local community. The last time it was held in 2019, an incredible $250,000 was raised.
The Stars of Orange gala night is on June 26 at the Orange Function Centre from 6pm. Tickets are $110 per person - including dinner.
For more information about the gala night, or to donate to Billie-Rae White's fundraising efforts, head to the Cancer Council website or contact Ricky Puata on 6392 0800.
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