THE ballroom dancing world was saddened to hear of the death of Fay Hurley on Monday 21 November 2022.

Fay was one of the true legendary ladies of the dancing world and a Woolgoolga resident with her husband Anthony.

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A much-loved professional ballroom dancer, and partnered by Anthony, the pair have been amongst the most highly decorated dancers of our time, having won every conceivable major championship in the dancing world as both amateur and professional dancers through the 1960s and early ‘70s.

Together the British dancing partnership inspired so many people before their retirement from competition dancing in 1973.

Remaining passionate about ballroom dancing, Fay continued coaching at their Danceworld Studio in England, but then decided to retire.

Following their retirement in 2001, Fay and Anthony relocated to Australia, originally settling in Bacchus Marsh, west of Melbourne, to be near their dearest friends; ‘Dancing with the Stars’ judge Helen Richey and husband Robert who coached for 25 years alongside Fay at Danceworld.

Fay and Anthony moved from Victoria to Banora Point before finally settling in Woolgoolga to be near their family.

Their dancing career started in England with a dancing trial, overseen by famous professional coach Hugh Carter, which saw Fay leave Nottingham, moving to the house next door to Anthony’s parents in Surrey in the south of England.

They gave themselves five years and agreed if they hadn’t won anything major in that time period, they would stop entering ballroom competitions.

As they say, the rest is history.

Fay’s amateur career ended in 1962, having won the British UK International World 9-Dance Championship.

Anthony and Fay have been crowned both European and United Kingdom Champions over many years, winning four grand slam championships including the British Open to the World at the renowned Blackpool Dance Festival, as well as UK International, European and World Titles.

Their amateur dancing titles include: 1960 and 61 British Amateur Ballroom Champions; 1960 World Nine Dance Championship; 1961 UK Open Amateur Ballroom Champions.

Professional Titles included: 1971, 72 and 73 UK Open Professional Ballroom Champions; 1971, 72 and 73 European Professional Ballroom Champions; 1969, 70, 71 and 72 British Open to the World Professional Ballroom Champions; and 1971 and 72 World Professional Ballroom Champions.

In 1973, following the European Championships held in Germany, Anthony and Fay decided to retire from Ballroom competition.

Anthony told News Of The Area, “Fay was also an accomplished hairdresser, opening two hairdressing salons in Britain, and in addition established a Dancing School.”

Two years after Anthony and Fay relocated to Australia, their daughter Cherrie also came out from England with granddaughter Natasha, who now live in the Coffs Harbour region.

Friends of Fay told News Of The Area, “Mrs Fay Hurley, RIP Fay, we will never forget you.”

By Andrea FERRARI