For months now Luke Patrick and his dancing daughter Julia have been hitting the dance floor at Em Dance studios in Blayney in preparation for their part in this year's Stars of Orange event.
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However with their hair done, suits pressed and moves perfected, the organisers had to make the difficult decision of postponing the event only 90 minutes before show time.
Mr Patrick said that it was a disappointment for all.
"We'd rehearsed that day with the full sound and lighting, the whole lot," he said. "The girls had their hair and makeup done so we were really heartbroken."
Mr Patrick said that despite the delay the dance crew was ready to spring back into action once the event is rescheduled.
"We ended up becoming a really tight group and were having a lot of fun," he said.
The only possible obstacle is a boxing match that Mr Patrick has booked in on July 23.
"My focus was going to switch to that straight after the dance, but dance is great exercise anyway, way better than a five kilometre road run in the dark," he said.
Mr Patrick had nothing but praise for the organisers for the difficult decision that they had to make.
"They even had the idea of just holding the performance and live-streaming the whole thing but the restrictions were that there was to be no dancing except at weddings," he said.
"Also I'd like to add a huge thank you to all the local businesses and people who supported us in our fundraising. Emma Nixon also deserves massive praise for all of the extra help she has given without complaint."
Ricky Puata is the community lead for Cancer Council Western NSW and said: "We are so grateful for your continued support and understanding, and we apologise for any inconvenience or disappointment this decision may cause.
"We are actively working with our stars, dance schools and stakeholders to look for a new date. Please also note that your current ticket will be valid for this new event date."
Mark Logan
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
Started working in newspapers in the 1990's in the darkroom of the Pastoral Times in Deniliquin before moving to Millthorpe in 2003. Soon after arriving I started as a photographer at the CWD. Now a journalist at the Blayney Chronicle.
