Mr Nestor had been working with mates to bring his band back for The Last Show, the major fundraiser to his Dancing With Our Stars pledge, when their practice space in Canadian burned down losing most of their equipment.

They have cut back their set-lists, introduced an acoustic set with just Mr Nestor and guitarist Jesse Zahra, and will still rock out The Lounge at The George Hotel next week.

While confident behind the mic, Mr Nestor said dancing was definitely getting him far beyond his comfort zone.

The McGrath Ballarat real estate co-principal will dance the rumba, the dance of love. Only, a little like when learning to dance for his wedding, Mr Nestor said he tended to over-think the moves and count, a lot.

"The rumba is a lot harder than I thought. It's full-on. There's a lot of mechanical stuff you have to perfect." Mr Nestor said. "I thought I was going well a couple of weeks ago - but that was just the legs. There's also the arms and the rest of the body."

Mr Nestor and co-principal Sean Toohey launched McGrath Ballarat almost two years ago and business started to take off when pandemic restrictions hit. In a rocky 12 months, the pair managed to keep their team together, keep working and transition into a boom period in the Ballarat property market.

"Real estate has been one of the industry's that's done quite well but it was also a turbulent time for us. Now is our opportunity to give back," Mr Nestor said.

Community has been a key value for McGrath Ballarat from the outset, including stepping up as a major partner in The Ballarat Foundation's Run For a Cause. Mr Nestor said the run was a good fit for their team, most who enjoyed getting in the gym and making exercise a priority about their work.

Dancing is definitely proving a work-out for Mr Nestor who, in the rumba, must keep his feet touching the floor at all times while moving. He thanked his dance partner Emma Learmonth and The Dance Studio teacher Shelley Ross for their patience and time.

MORE DANCING INSPIRATION:

You can support Mr Nestor in The Last Show at The George Hotel on March 12. The night will feature live auctions, raffles and silent auctions. Items up for grabs include sports memorabilia, a $500 experience at The 18^th Amendment Bar, family fun passes, Pinot and Picasso and a Lazer Cut fire pit. Tickets: Singing With Our Stars on eventbrite.com.

Dancing With Our Stars gala charity event raises money for The Ballarat Foundation on March 20.

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