Tai chi Facilitator

Patrick has been teaching Tai Chi in Ballan and Bacchus Marsh since 2016 but his personal experience began in 1993 when he did a short course in a simple Yang form.

Over the years he kept being drawn back into this gentle form of martial arts, learning more and more forms including the practise of using fans, swords and staff. Patrick believes everyone can take part in their own Tai Chi journey and he draws great pride in helping them along the way.

He teaches beginners classes in the Yang 8 form, Yang 24, Wu and Qigong movements as well as an advanced weapons class. Patrick is passionate about this traditional Chinese mind-body practice that integrates gentle physical movements, breathing, and mental focus to cultivate and balance the body's vital energy.

Book Club Facilitator

As a self proclaimed Sci-Fi and Fantasy nerd, Patrick decided to join a book group to force himself out of his chosen genre – that was back in 2009. He now runs that same book group and enjoys the lively discussion every month when they meet.

Getting together with likeminded people who enjoy nothing better than to bury themselves in a page-turner is what keeps Patrick coming back.

Character & Design Facilitator

Jonny Hall is a digital illustrator and animator with a passion for storytelling and teaching who graduated  with a Bachelor of Animation from Swinburne University. Based in Greendale, he has worked on projects ranging from children’s book illustrations to feature film storyboards and is now studying teaching at ACU. Jonny teaches character design classes at the Ballan Community House because it’s something he would have loved when he was younger (and still would now).

Chinese Health Facilitator

Chief Instructor and founder Patricia Kent has more than 30 years experience and regularly runs classes in Trentham, Ballan, Kyneton and Meredith. Lilac Moon Tai Chi also has local instructors and schools in NSW and Tasmania.

Originating in China, Tai Chi is the practice of slow meditative physical exercise designed for relaxation, balance and health based on the traditions of Tai Chi and Qigong (Chi Kung).

Choir Facilitator

Myrawin Nelson is a choir director and music teacher. She first discovered her love of music as a  child when learning to sing in harmony with her family. In the  90s, she attended several a capella gospel singing workshops run by Tony Backhouse whose craft inspired her to run her own choir.  She directed a church gospel choir in the early 2000s, has led primary school choirs to award winning performances at the South Street Eisteddfod in Ballarat, founded the Gordon Gospel Choir in 2018, and, more recently, the Ballan Community Choir in early 2024. She is a multi-instrumentalist, playing piano, recorder, tin whistle, piano accordion, and guitar. She uses these skills to share her love of music, and to help others to discover that anyone can learn to sing!

Calligraphy Facilitator

Julie is a journal artist and calligrapher.  She crafts her own handmade journals and fills them with art and words written in calligraphic lettering.  Her work is influenced by illuminated manuscripts, florilegia and early botanical sketchbooks.  Julie studied calligraphy for six years with professional calligrapher Stephen Wright and now loves to share this beautiful art form with others.  

Childrens Art Class Facilitator