History
In 1955 Mrs Brown and Mrs Massey had daughters doing calisthenics (physical culture as it was then known) at Gardenvale. They discussed their desire to have calisthenics available in their local area and so, along with Mrs Munce (representing the Bentleigh Presbyterian Church), they approached Mrs Vera Binstead to establish calisthenics tuition in the Bentleigh Presbyterian premises. Mrs Binstead agreed to assist them. Shortly thereafter she was joined by her daughter Sandra who, though still at school, was nevertheless proficient enough to teach calisthenics. So began a long and successful calisthenics partnership.
In 1955 the club was known as Bentleigh Presbyterian Calisthenics (BPC). In those days all members of the committee were required to be members of the Presbyterian church. Initially the calisthenics pupils were invited to attend a monthly service at the Presbyterian church. They sat together as a group along with Mrs Binstead. Later the girls participated in two church parades a year. Class were held in the old “kinder hall” and the Annual Display, for many years, was held at the Caulfield Town Hall. From there it moved to the Alexander Theatre and in 1993 the Annual Display moved to a new venue, the Phoenix Theatre. In 1970 the club name was changed to Bentleigh Calisthenics College (BCC) and the thistle motif was retained. It was no longer a requirement to have Presbyterian committee members though the minister still was the MC at the Annual Display and chaired the AGM.
In order to devote more time to travelling with Norm on his many trips Sandra Iddles resigned in 1982 after winning the Junior “B” Aggregate at Ballarat. Sadly Sandra passed away on March 7th 1991. After Sandra’s resignation the Committee faced with a decision – hire another teacher or close the club and go as a group to another club. The decision was made to continue the club. With help from VCTA a search for a new teacher was commenced and in 1983 Robyn Sharp (Riley) was hired to teach the Juniors. Lorraine Bamsey (a Bentleigh senior) was hired to teach all of the other sections. The move to two teachers was quite a radical step in those days. In 1983 there were insufficient girls for a senior team. At the end of 1983 Lorraine left to teach calisthenics closer to her home and Robyn accepted the task to teach all sections of the club. In the same year, 1984 Robyn’s sister Liz Sharp (Carroll) undertook to teach the seniors, at no pay, so that Robyn could work in the team and so build up the numbers. The seniors also chose to be a non-Ballarat group. Their success as “A” Special Seniors resulted in a decision being made to rejoin the ranks at Ballarat, winning C Grade aggregate in their first year.
In 1987 Liz started to teach the Inters as well as the Seniors leaving Robyn as the teacher of the younger sections. In 1991 Kristen Flegeltaub (Skinner) was appointed to teach the Juniors and in 1992 Sherryn Foster was appointed to teach the Inters . In 1994 Janine Daniels was appointed as the Inters teacher. This year, 1995 the club has 102 girls (17 of whom are soloists) coming from as far away as Beaconsfield, Berwick and Eltham.
Bentleigh Calisthenics College has much to be proud of
The original uniform consisted of a tartan pleated skirt, rust blazer with a thistle motif on the pocket, black shoes and white socks. The teacher and pianist wore black gloves and there was a tentative move to introduce hats.
By the mid 1970s the skirt and blazer were being replaced (briefly) by a gold and green tracksuit. The new tracksuit was black with aqua zip up flares! (very fashionable at the time). Then came a plain fleecy black tracksuit with an aqua monogram Bentleigh CC .
In 1955 the oldest girls were 9/10 year olds and there was also a married ladies class. In the 1990s there are no “married ladies” classes but there are married ladies and mothers working in the senior sections. Over the years the competition outfit has radically changed. The 1950 Bentleigh participant wore shorts and a top to class. She complete in a princess line tunic made of aqua pin striped corduroy, with a square neckline and split sides. The 1990 participant wears a leotard and leggings or bike shorts, to class and competes in an array of high cut leotards, with flesh coloured leggings for the older sections and leg tan for the younger girls.Over the years there have been many calisthenics “trends”. Wiglets, plaits, moppets, false eyelashes, fake tan, colour hair spray, face paint etc. Many mothers and girls can remember rag curls, foam rollers and lubafax, the fore-runner of hair gel. Others remember spending a week in Ballarat, having only a few items a day, having hair professionally set for each comp and walking in front of the car due to the fog over the Pentland Hills! Some can recall blithely waving to a picnicking Bentleigh family on the roadside before Ballarat only to later discover they weren’t picnicking but had unpacked the care because of a flat tyre and the wave was an attempt to flag down a car! Fortunately another Bentleigh family was more discerning, stopped and so ensured that the girls got to the comp on time.
Items have been added and others abandoned. Choreography has become more creative, girls no longer stand in one position but move around stage. No longer do 3 teams work to the same music with minor changes differentiating the work of each team. Eg. The 1st team may have done a backbend, the second team a bridge, the third team a forward bend – just minor differences which made it possible for one teacher to simultaneously teach multiple classes. Today each team has its own music and totally different choreography making it almost essential to have assistants and helpers. Back entrances have almost become the norm. Special effects, such as props, dried ice and lighting have also changed the appearance of calisthenics items.
In the early years at Bentleigh a special judging day was held. On this day girls were given a number and worked at class before a judge. At the Annual Display the results were announced and winners in each section received either a gold, silver or bronze medal. (The gold medal in the 1960s was real gold!). The winners were not known and therefore girls eagerly awaited the news at the concert. The girls who received the highest number of points was awarded the “Webb Award” named after the club pianist. A girl could only receive this award once.
Despite all these changes the spirit of friendship and fun, that was so strong at Bentleigh, has remained.
In 1955 the club was known as Bentleigh Presbyterian Calisthenics (BPC). In those days all members of the committee were required to be members of the Presbyterian church. Initially the calisthenics pupils were invited to attend a monthly service at the Presbyterian church. They sat together as a group along with Mrs Binstead. Later the girls participated in two church parades a year. Class were held in the old “kinder hall” and the Annual Display, for many years, was held at the Caulfield Town Hall. From there it moved to the Alexander Theatre and in 1993 the Annual Display moved to a new venue, the Phoenix Theatre. In 1970 the club name was changed to Bentleigh Calisthenics College (BCC) and the thistle motif was retained. It was no longer a requirement to have Presbyterian committee members though the minister still was the MC at the Annual Display and chaired the AGM.
In order to devote more time to travelling with Norm on his many trips Sandra Iddles resigned in 1982 after winning the Junior “B” Aggregate at Ballarat. Sadly Sandra passed away on March 7th 1991. After Sandra’s resignation the Committee faced with a decision – hire another teacher or close the club and go as a group to another club. The decision was made to continue the club. With help from VCTA a search for a new teacher was commenced and in 1983 Robyn Sharp (Riley) was hired to teach the Juniors. Lorraine Bamsey (a Bentleigh senior) was hired to teach all of the other sections. The move to two teachers was quite a radical step in those days. In 1983 there were insufficient girls for a senior team. At the end of 1983 Lorraine left to teach calisthenics closer to her home and Robyn accepted the task to teach all sections of the club. In the same year, 1984 Robyn’s sister Liz Sharp (Carroll) undertook to teach the seniors, at no pay, so that Robyn could work in the team and so build up the numbers. The seniors also chose to be a non-Ballarat group. Their success as “A” Special Seniors resulted in a decision being made to rejoin the ranks at Ballarat, winning C Grade aggregate in their first year.
In 1987 Liz started to teach the Inters as well as the Seniors leaving Robyn as the teacher of the younger sections. In 1991 Kristen Flegeltaub (Skinner) was appointed to teach the Juniors and in 1992 Sherryn Foster was appointed to teach the Inters . In 1994 Janine Daniels was appointed as the Inters teacher. This year, 1995 the club has 102 girls (17 of whom are soloists) coming from as far away as Beaconsfield, Berwick and Eltham.
Bentleigh Calisthenics College has much to be proud of
- Mrs Vera Binstead was instrumental in establishing the training of adjudicators.
- Mrs Vera Binstead and Miss Vera Hopton were the only two recipients of the LPCV (Licentiate Certificate of Physical Culture in Victoria) and could use these initials after their name – no other person was considered qualified enough to receive this! (An interesting tit-bit is the fact that Vera Hopton was Mrs Binstead’s bridesmaid).
- Mrs Vera Binstead was the first person to dress the girls radically for South Street. She actually dressed them in black velvet shorts, white satin blouse with no socks on their feet only ballet shoes! Prior to this all competitors wore a short tunic with slide splits, ballet shoes and socks.
- Val Moore (nee Edgar) became the Secretary of the Canberra Calisthenics Teachers Association.
- South Eastern Solo Competition, run by Bentleigh Calisthenics, for calisthenics best type was commenced in 1992. By 1994 a limited section of graceful girl was added and in 1995 it was further expanded to accommodate 253 solo competitors
The original uniform consisted of a tartan pleated skirt, rust blazer with a thistle motif on the pocket, black shoes and white socks. The teacher and pianist wore black gloves and there was a tentative move to introduce hats.
By the mid 1970s the skirt and blazer were being replaced (briefly) by a gold and green tracksuit. The new tracksuit was black with aqua zip up flares! (very fashionable at the time). Then came a plain fleecy black tracksuit with an aqua monogram Bentleigh CC .
In 1955 the oldest girls were 9/10 year olds and there was also a married ladies class. In the 1990s there are no “married ladies” classes but there are married ladies and mothers working in the senior sections. Over the years the competition outfit has radically changed. The 1950 Bentleigh participant wore shorts and a top to class. She complete in a princess line tunic made of aqua pin striped corduroy, with a square neckline and split sides. The 1990 participant wears a leotard and leggings or bike shorts, to class and competes in an array of high cut leotards, with flesh coloured leggings for the older sections and leg tan for the younger girls.Over the years there have been many calisthenics “trends”. Wiglets, plaits, moppets, false eyelashes, fake tan, colour hair spray, face paint etc. Many mothers and girls can remember rag curls, foam rollers and lubafax, the fore-runner of hair gel. Others remember spending a week in Ballarat, having only a few items a day, having hair professionally set for each comp and walking in front of the car due to the fog over the Pentland Hills! Some can recall blithely waving to a picnicking Bentleigh family on the roadside before Ballarat only to later discover they weren’t picnicking but had unpacked the care because of a flat tyre and the wave was an attempt to flag down a car! Fortunately another Bentleigh family was more discerning, stopped and so ensured that the girls got to the comp on time.
Items have been added and others abandoned. Choreography has become more creative, girls no longer stand in one position but move around stage. No longer do 3 teams work to the same music with minor changes differentiating the work of each team. Eg. The 1st team may have done a backbend, the second team a bridge, the third team a forward bend – just minor differences which made it possible for one teacher to simultaneously teach multiple classes. Today each team has its own music and totally different choreography making it almost essential to have assistants and helpers. Back entrances have almost become the norm. Special effects, such as props, dried ice and lighting have also changed the appearance of calisthenics items.
In the early years at Bentleigh a special judging day was held. On this day girls were given a number and worked at class before a judge. At the Annual Display the results were announced and winners in each section received either a gold, silver or bronze medal. (The gold medal in the 1960s was real gold!). The winners were not known and therefore girls eagerly awaited the news at the concert. The girls who received the highest number of points was awarded the “Webb Award” named after the club pianist. A girl could only receive this award once.
Despite all these changes the spirit of friendship and fun, that was so strong at Bentleigh, has remained.
1955 - Establishment at Bentleigh Presbyterian church. Bentleigh Presbyterian Calisthenics
1967 - Marilyn Edwards came third at South Street Graceful Girl
1968 - Marilyn Edwards came second at South Street Graceful Girl
1969 - Marilyn Edwards came first at South Street Graceful Girl.
1970 - The club name was changed to Bentleigh Calisthenics College.
1976 - Sub-Juniors (B-Grade) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate
1982 - Junior B-Grade win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate
1987 - Intermediates team are overall Division 5 CVI winners. Inters team invited to participate in CVI State Championships Winners concert.
1987 - Juniors (E-Grade) & Seniors (C-Grade) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1989 - Liz Carroll is the recipient of the Vera Hopton Scholarship
1992 - Seniors won the Cadbury Trophy for the highest Aggregate points at the CVI championships
1992 - Sub-Juniors (Div 4) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1992 - Bentleigh Calisthenics awarded the Vera Hopton Memorial Trophy for the highest club aggregate points at the Mountain District competitions.
1992 - South Eastern Solo Competition, run by Bentleigh Calisthenics, for calisthenics best type commenced.
1993 - Sub-Juniors (Div 4) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1993 - the Annual Display moved to a new venue, the Phoenix Theatre.
1994 - Liz Carroll is a finalist inthe caterogry of Female Under 30 Victorian Coach of the Year. Liz coaches the Victorian Intermediate team who are the winners at the Nationals.
1995 - 102 students including 17 soloists
1995 - Liz Carroll coaches the Victorian Intermediate team -reserve aggregate
1995 - South Eastern Solo Competition has 253 competitors.
1996 - Juniors (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1998 - Sub-Juniors (Div 2) & Intermediates (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2000 - Tinies (Div 7) & Juniors (Div 2) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship. Juniors (Div 2) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2002 - Intermediates (Div 2) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship & RSSS Ballarat.
2002 - Inters & Seniors win Joy Fildes Memorial Trophy for highest overall aggregate points for Div 2
2005 - Seniors (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2006 - Seniors (Div 2) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2009 - Seniors (Div 1) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship
2009 - Juniors (Div 4) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2010 - Juniors (Div 4 ) & Seniors (Div 1) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2010 - Seniors win Dandenong CC Perpetual Trophy and Bev Foy & Barb White Memorial Trophy
2011 - Seniors (Div 1) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship. 89 students registered.
2012 - 83 students registered
2013 - Recreational Masters team commenced. 111 students registered.
2014 - Competitive Masters commenced. 118 students registered.
2015 - Intermediates (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2015 - Seniors (Div 3) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships. 129 students registered.
2016 - 126 students registered.
2017 - New Saturday Tinies team commenced.
2018 - Masters (Div 5) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships. 152 students registered.
2019 - Sub-Juniors (Div 4) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships. 194 students registered.
2020 - Competitions suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 - New Thursday Sub-Juniors team commenced. Only one competition for the year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 - Juniors (Div 2) & Masters (Div 2/3) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships
2023 - New studio opens at 11 Walter Street, Moorabbin. 203 students registered.
2023 - Seniors (Div 2) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate
2024 - Masters (Div 3) win CV State Championships
1967 - Marilyn Edwards came third at South Street Graceful Girl
1968 - Marilyn Edwards came second at South Street Graceful Girl
1969 - Marilyn Edwards came first at South Street Graceful Girl.
1970 - The club name was changed to Bentleigh Calisthenics College.
1976 - Sub-Juniors (B-Grade) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate
1982 - Junior B-Grade win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate
1987 - Intermediates team are overall Division 5 CVI winners. Inters team invited to participate in CVI State Championships Winners concert.
1987 - Juniors (E-Grade) & Seniors (C-Grade) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1989 - Liz Carroll is the recipient of the Vera Hopton Scholarship
1992 - Seniors won the Cadbury Trophy for the highest Aggregate points at the CVI championships
1992 - Sub-Juniors (Div 4) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1992 - Bentleigh Calisthenics awarded the Vera Hopton Memorial Trophy for the highest club aggregate points at the Mountain District competitions.
1992 - South Eastern Solo Competition, run by Bentleigh Calisthenics, for calisthenics best type commenced.
1993 - Sub-Juniors (Div 4) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1993 - the Annual Display moved to a new venue, the Phoenix Theatre.
1994 - Liz Carroll is a finalist inthe caterogry of Female Under 30 Victorian Coach of the Year. Liz coaches the Victorian Intermediate team who are the winners at the Nationals.
1995 - 102 students including 17 soloists
1995 - Liz Carroll coaches the Victorian Intermediate team -reserve aggregate
1995 - South Eastern Solo Competition has 253 competitors.
1996 - Juniors (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
1998 - Sub-Juniors (Div 2) & Intermediates (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2000 - Tinies (Div 7) & Juniors (Div 2) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship. Juniors (Div 2) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2002 - Intermediates (Div 2) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship & RSSS Ballarat.
2002 - Inters & Seniors win Joy Fildes Memorial Trophy for highest overall aggregate points for Div 2
2005 - Seniors (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2006 - Seniors (Div 2) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2009 - Seniors (Div 1) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship
2009 - Juniors (Div 4) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2010 - Juniors (Div 4 ) & Seniors (Div 1) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2010 - Seniors win Dandenong CC Perpetual Trophy and Bev Foy & Barb White Memorial Trophy
2011 - Seniors (Div 1) Aggregate Winners CV State Championship. 89 students registered.
2012 - 83 students registered
2013 - Recreational Masters team commenced. 111 students registered.
2014 - Competitive Masters commenced. 118 students registered.
2015 - Intermediates (Div 3) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate.
2015 - Seniors (Div 3) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships. 129 students registered.
2016 - 126 students registered.
2017 - New Saturday Tinies team commenced.
2018 - Masters (Div 5) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships. 152 students registered.
2019 - Sub-Juniors (Div 4) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships. 194 students registered.
2020 - Competitions suspended due to Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 - New Thursday Sub-Juniors team commenced. Only one competition for the year due to Covid-19 pandemic.
2021 - Juniors (Div 2) & Masters (Div 2/3) Aggregate Winners CV State Championships
2023 - New studio opens at 11 Walter Street, Moorabbin. 203 students registered.
2023 - Seniors (Div 2) win RSSS Ballarat Aggregate
2024 - Masters (Div 3) win CV State Championships
CLUB SONGS
The first club song was made up overnight and the words were:
Here we are again
Happy as can be
We are the girls of BPC
B stands for Bentleigh
P for Presbyterian
C for Calisthenics
You will soon be seeing
La d dah de dah
La de dah de dee
We are the girls of the BPC.
A later song was:
From the halls of Bentleigh Calisthenics
To the halls of Ballarat
We have come to do our very best
For our club and teacher too
Although at times we have failed to win
We’ll be back to impress you all
From the halls of Bentleigh Calisthenics
To the halls of Ballarat.
Today we have TWO club songs, one sung to a more traditional tune and the other a rap version
Hey look us over, see how we glow
Heads held high, chins proud
Our spirits never low.
True and loyal, always we will be.
To the club of old, from Centre Road
The only one form me.
B.E.N.T.L.E.I.G.H.
Bentleigh!!
We are the girls from Bentleigh
We wear the black and blue.
And if you want to join us.
You can be a winner too!
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B Bentleigh!
Did you get it? No!!
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B Bentleigh! YO!!
The first club song was made up overnight and the words were:
Here we are again
Happy as can be
We are the girls of BPC
B stands for Bentleigh
P for Presbyterian
C for Calisthenics
You will soon be seeing
La d dah de dah
La de dah de dee
We are the girls of the BPC.
A later song was:
From the halls of Bentleigh Calisthenics
To the halls of Ballarat
We have come to do our very best
For our club and teacher too
Although at times we have failed to win
We’ll be back to impress you all
From the halls of Bentleigh Calisthenics
To the halls of Ballarat.
Today we have TWO club songs, one sung to a more traditional tune and the other a rap version
Hey look us over, see how we glow
Heads held high, chins proud
Our spirits never low.
True and loyal, always we will be.
To the club of old, from Centre Road
The only one form me.
B.E.N.T.L.E.I.G.H.
Bentleigh!!
We are the girls from Bentleigh
We wear the black and blue.
And if you want to join us.
You can be a winner too!
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B Bentleigh!
Did you get it? No!!
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B.
B.B.B.B.B Bentleigh! YO!!