The COVID-safe event at Civic Hall saw 10 Ballarat identities hit the dancefloor, showing off skills learned over a short but intense few weeks, and the results were jaw-dropping.

Each of the participants showed off their skills in different styles of dance, and each had a highlight that drew gasps and applause.

Special mentions should be made for Kevin Vanderkley's bold opening and use of maracas; Taite Radley getting the rig out for his tango; Paula Nicholson's challenging Excelsior Schottische; Danielle Coltman knocking over a cha cha after coming back from injury; Alicia Wang Sheludko's dizzyingly swirling Viennese waltz; the huge lunging finish in Daniel Nestor's rumba; Tim Bone gamely taking on Proud Mary; a saucy foxtrot from Anita Godfrey; and Rob Croucher's storytelling through his waltz.

The Courier's own Rochelle Kirkham walked away with the judge's award for best dancing, her Grease-inspired quickstep with dance partner Robert Powell wowing the judges - not bad for her first time learning to dance.

"It does feel a lot different in front of the crowd," she said afterwards.

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"It was a lot of fun - it was kind of sad we wouldn't be doing it again."

Ms Kirkham managed to break through her $10,000 fundraising goal on the night as well from supporters across the world, bringing home what the participants were all there for.

"I covered the event last time, and I interviewed George Fong after he danced - he said that even though we're all here having a glitz and glam night, having a great time, it's really important that we remember the Ballarat Foundation supports people who sometimes can't put food on the table for their kids, or can't teach their kids to drive or have access to a car," she said.

"The Ballarat Foundation helps out in all those areas, so I think it's really important that while we're here having a great time, there are people who really need the help from others in the community.

"It's important we have that safety net in the community so no one slips through."

First up on the night was Danielle Coltman, who ended up raising the most money.

Her massive fundraising efforts contributed $17,000 to the cause.

"I was so nervous walking up the stairs, but then I got to the top of the stairs, my dance partner Adrian (Misseri) just grabbed my hand, and I thought cool, let's do it - we walked on and just had the best time, it was fun," she said.

"It's not about us, we're kind of the figureheads for the foundation - we come in and have a great time, but it's about our whole support network and our team, people donating, the 150 people in the room who came out to support us."

Before the show began, Mr Misseri - a competition dancer - said each of the participants had worked exceptionally hard to get to the big night.

"Dare I say, the celebrities might be a little bit nervous at this point, but there's a real excitement and buzz in the room," he said.

"There are routines out there where you won't pick who's the professional dancer."

Tim Bone was on after the intermission, and added it was good to watch the other competitors on the livestream - due to pandemic restrictions, an online stream was organised, with watch parties across the country.

"Watching the others dance, I'm keen to get out there and have a crack - it's such a buzz down here because we have all worked for so long (and) to see it all come together on such a great night is awesome," he said.

"We're practicing two hours a week for 10 weeks, so if I don't know it now I'll never know it."

His dance partner, Ashlie Ross, was hugely supportive as they went to warm up.

"Normally we start people off really slow and friendly, step by step, but these guys don't have that opportunity, we have to teach them top level stuff from day one," she said.

"We know they'll get there in the end, and it's great to see the progression over such a short period of time, because usually, as a teacher, it can take years to see, so they do an awesome job."

Taite Radley was the last dancer on the program, which gave him more time to prepare, he said.

"There's a lot of big lifts in my dance, so there's a lot at stake, I can't drop my partner," he said.

"I feel like everyone's put in such a good effort for people who aren't actually dancers."

He added the massive fundraising effort "shows how good the Ballarat community is".

"The Ballarat Foundation brought us all together, and it shows you, as a collective, how strong we can all be, and it's good to be a part of Ballarat right now," he said.

After he got off stage, a visibly relieved Daniel Nestor said it took a while for him to shake off the nerves.

"About 15 seconds in, when (dance partner) Emma did what (teacher) Shelley calls the splits in the air, and the crowd went wild, that's when I thought ok, I can do it from here," he said with a grin.

"I know in my business, we've been a supporter of the Ballarat Foundation for a long time now and we're intricately aware of how important their role is in the Ballarat community."

The foundation's chief executive, Andrew Eales, said the generosity was "overwhelming".

The money raised will help with food security programs, improving literacy for underprivileged children, solving housing issues, and helping young people get their licence.

"We know how difficult it has been in the last 12 months, but I think the message has really got across to the community - now is the time of need," he said.

"We know we can't do all the work we want to do without the support of the community.

"To get this sort of a response, in terms of the outcome with the donations, is just incredible."

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It's also about bringing back "normality", he added, something the community needed.

"To be able to match the theme of generosity with everyone getting back out and having a good time again, I think that was really important for us as well," he said.

"The event was such a great opportunity for that, and there haven't been too many."

Find out more and donate via ballaratfoundation.org

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