Celebrating Calisthenics at Frankston Arts Centre

Published on 10 March 2026

Celebrating Calisthenics at FAC

Thirty times a year, Frankston Arts Centre transforms into a home for calisthenics—a uniquely Australian artform that blends dance, gymnastics, theatre, and community into something far greater than the sum of its parts. Some weekends showcase a single club's annual celebration; others see multiple clubs converge in fierce yet friendly competition, as performers vie for titles before expert adjudicators. But regardless of the event's scale, one thing remains constant: the palpable sense of belonging that fills every corner of the venue.

More Than Dance

Jennifer McIntyre, CEO of Calisthenics Victoria, explains the significance of the sport across the state: "Calisthenics Victoria is the peak body for calisthenics in Victoria, supporting approximately 90 clubs and almost 10,000 members across metropolitan and regional communities. Our mission is to foster participation, excellence and wellbeing through calisthenics—a uniquely Australian sport that combines dance, gymnastics, strength, flexibility and performance."

"Many people assume calisthenics is just another dance class, but it's so much more," explains Ruby Broomhall, a performer, coach, and committee member at Leawarra Calisthenics Club who has spent 18 consecutive years in the sport. "It fosters community, commitment, perseverance, growth, fitness, and sportsmanship. Participants perform incredibly refined items, with choreography tailored to the individual and polished with precision. And it's not just about individual excellence—it's about the entire team working together towards a shared goal."

This team-first philosophy makes calisthenics clubs feel less like sports organisations and more like extended families. The word 'club' itself hints at the deep sense of community and belonging that exists within these groups.

A Living Legacy

Naomi Armstrong, principal of Canadian Bay Calisthenics College, has witnessed this spirit firsthand for over four decades. "CBCC was founded in 1979 and swiftly earned a reputation for its family-oriented atmosphere, camaraderie, and sense of community, which we continue to be in 2026," she says. What keeps her passionate? "The constant progression of the sport and seeing the growth of our students and coaches every year."

As an artform, calisthenics occupies a unique space in the performing arts landscape. "It blends many dance styles people already love, while also incorporating singing, acting, and theatrical performance," Ruby notes. "It's truly all-encompassing and welcomes participants of all ages."

Jennifer emphasizes the sport's evolution and commitment to inclusion: "Calisthenics has evolved significantly over the past few decades, with continual growth in technical skill, creativity and performance quality. Choreography, costuming and presentation have become increasingly innovative, while the sport has remained grounded in its core values of teamwork, discipline and personal development." She adds, "With almost 10,000 women and girls participating, calisthenics has long provided strong opportunities for female participation, leadership and community connection. As our sport continues to evolve, we are committed to fostering a more inclusive and accessible environment, and we are actively working to create meaningful opportunities for men and gender diverse participants to feel welcomed, represented and supported."

A Venue That Feels Like Home

For clubs across Victoria, Frankston Arts Centre isn't just a venue—it's integral to their identity. "Leawarra adores performing at the Frankston Arts Centre. The stage feels like home—familiar, welcoming, and comforting," Ruby shares. "Its walls hold memories that span generations of our club's history, and we always feel supported knowing we're in capable hands."

Jennifer confirms the venue's state-wide significance: "Frankston Arts Centre is a highly valued venue in our competition calendar, attracting clubs and competitors from across the entire state. Across the season, we can see representation from many and at times all of our approximately 90 affiliated clubs. When we utilise the beautiful Frankston Arts Centre, competitions regularly fill the venue to capacity, reflecting the strength and scale of our sport and providing participants with the opportunity to perform in a professional theatre environment."

Jaime Goldschmied, events coordinator at Leawarra and proud calisthenics mum to 16-year-old Tahlia, echoes this sentiment: "FAC is the highlight of my year. I love the feel of 'coming home' to FAC at the end of our year, bringing the whole Leawarra family together for one final performance. I love working with the team at FAC—nothing is too much trouble, and our showcase is always the best it can be because of the amazing staff."

This relationship between clubs and venue is mutual, as Natalie Pharoah from the FAC team explains: "There's lots of youthful energy—a real buzz in the air. Calisthenics events, especially competition days like Longbeach, have a different feel to most other events. The days are long and busy, with familiar faces from one weekend to the next, which creates real camaraderie not only among the FAC teams, but also between us and the client."

For Naomi, whose students call FAC their "homegrown advantage" when competing, the venue's significance is clear: "The supportive staff, strong community, and professional stage make performing feel special and encouraging. All staff at FAC make me feel welcomed and supported."

Building Community Across the South East

The broader regional context is significant, as Jennifer notes: "The South East region is home to a strong and thriving calisthenics community, with close to 25 clubs providing opportunities for participants of all ages. These clubs play an important role in their local communities, creating welcoming and supportive environments where participants can develop skills, build confidence and form lifelong connections."

What makes calisthenics at Frankston Arts Centre special extends beyond technical excellence or theatrical spectacle. It's found in the hallway behind the stage where Ruby loves to stand, watching "nervous energy being shaken out, encouraging smiles exchanged with staff, and last-minute motivational speeches shared before performances." It's in the walk from the dressing rooms through the foyer, buzzing with anticipation, followed by "elated skipping back" afterwards. It's in the tight circle of five seniors hugging and crying as the curtains closed on their final performance together in 2024, knowing that while some were moving on, they would always have a home at their club.

"They certainly keep us very busy!" Natalie laughs. But more importantly, "It's clear that the clubs provide a great community environment for participants and their families. Some calisthenics volunteers I've worked with became involved as mums and have remained active members long after their children have hung up their clubs and rods. There is a real sense of friendship among the participants, along with a healthy sense of competition and team pride."

As Jennifer reflects, "Calisthenics continues to empower participants both on and off the stage, building confidence, resilience and lifelong friendships."

Thirty events a year. Thousands of performers from across Victoria. Countless hours of dedication. And at the centre of it all, a venue that doesn't just host calisthenics—it provides a home where community, artistry, and belonging flourish together.