For this former dancer, a love of dance didn’t end when the final curtain fell—it evolved into a lifelong commitment to supporting young performers both on and off the stage.
A former competitive dancer turned physiotherapist, Paige Brooks, now business partner in Newington Physiotherapy, has found her calling in helping young dancers reach their potential safely and sustainably. A passionate supporter of the performing arts, she not only treats dancers but also supports the Royal South Street Society competitions that played a major role in her own formative years.
“I was the youngest of four girls, and dancing was something all of us did,” she recalls. “We started young, around three or four, and for me, once I was on stage, there was no stopping.”
Raised in Ballarat, she trained locally at Terri Maree School of Dance and later with Carol Oliver, before taking her theatrical and tap training to Melbourne with the renowned Bev Palmer. The weekly drives from Ballarat to Melbourne were a family commitment—thanks to a dedicated mother and a passion that couldn’t be contained.
“Dancing with Miss Palmer and Miss Carole shaped who I am today. The discipline and technical foundation they instilled in me continue to influence my work,” she says. “I still remember the thrill of being allowed to borrow Miss Palmer’s tap shoes—I thought they deserved to be bronzed!”
Her family’s dance legacy is a long one. Between her and her sisters—Clair, Tracey, and Sara—their collective participation in Royal South Street competitions spans nearly three decades. Her eldest sister Sara even went on to dance professionally and now sees her own daughter competing at South Street, continuing the tradition.
Some of her fondest memories are rooted in those competition years. From rushed costume changes and backstage vocal warm-ups to dropping a cane mid-tap solo and improvising to recover, she recalls every moment with joy. “The buzz before a theatrical championship, when the curtain was down and we were warming up on stage—it was electric,” she says.
Dance also laid the foundation for her professional career. Experiencing the typical strains of a growing dancer’s body first led her to Newington Physiotherapy as a patient. “The care I received back then planted the seed,” she explains. “I returned as a university student on placement, and I knew then that I wanted to be part of this clinic.”
After completing rotations at St John of God Hospital, she transitioned into private practice at Newington, eventually becoming a business partner. Her practice today has a strong focus on musculoskeletal treatment and a special interest in young dancers, from pre-pointe assessments to flexibility and technique optimisation.
“I love educating dancers about how their bodies work,” she says. “Knowing which muscles to activate, and when, can help avoid injury and enhance performance. A strong dancer is a safe dancer.”
Her advice for young performers? “Balance is key—class, conditioning, and rest must go hand in hand. It’s not just about flexibility or talent, but about understanding and respecting your body.”
From pirouettes to physiotherapy, her story is a testament to the powerful intersection of passion, purpose, and performance—and to the enduring influence of the stage and the performing arts long after the spotlight fades.
We are delighted to welcome Newington Physiotherapy as our Dance Troupes Weekend naming rights sponsor in 2025, and for the first time, Newington Physiotherapy will offer some on-site professional services to assist dancers at Her Majesty’s Theatre throughout the Energetiks Dance Competition.
