About Waratah Physie
At Waratah Physical Culture Club (Waratah Physie for short), we proudly teach the BJP Physical Culture curriculum. BJP Physie is the oldest running and most prestigious Physical Culture establishment in Australia. For 125 years, BJP has provided a national platform for Physie clubs to come together to engage in competitions and camaraderie.
“Physie is an elegant way of developing not only fitness but also grace, strength and focus in our girls and women. At BJP, what we are most proud of is how Physie weaves its way throughout the lives of Australian families. Generations of women have discovered lifelong friendships, a true sense of community and a sport for life in Physie.” – Jackie Rawlings, BJP Physical Culture
Empowering Girls for Life
There is an aura of confidence around Physie girls of all ages. Taught to stand tall, with strength and pride, they are team players committed to achieving their goals.
Unlike some ballet and dance studios, Waratah Physie focuses on developing the self-esteem of its students. By teaching them to have a positive relationship with their bodies, we help students blossom with confidence and self-assurance.
BJP Physie is passionate about nurturing students’ total wellbeing, in both mind and body. Physie is an accepting and encouraging team sport, where every member is supported and motivated to be the best they can be.
Meet The Teachers at Waratah Physie!
Fiona Way – 13 years to Ladies
Fiona Way is a senior teacher and judge with BJP Physie. A previous National Champion, she has done Physie her whole life. Her mother and sister have both taught Physie, so you could say it’s in her blood.
After our club founder Val Connors retired, Fiona began teaching at Waratah and she loves it! She is so proud of our club!
“We provide quality instruction for girls and ladies, helping them to achieve the goals they set for themselves. Waratah is friendly and inclusive and the perfect place for young girls and women to gain confidence and be healthy and most of all have fun and make friends. Our teaching has worked! We have proven success at team and individual competitions in all age groups. “
Fiona teaches from 13 years and over. Including Seniors and Ladies.
Fiona looks forward to 2024 being another year of fun and learning and watching our members strive and achieve through Physie.
Maddy King – 9 to 12 years
Maddy King has done Physie since she was a little girl and has always been a loyal Waratah member. In 2024, Maddy brings her expertise to 9-12 year old students, inspiring them with her passion and guidence.
Maddy competes with our Ladies teams and in individual competitions. She also is our Club Secretary and we welcome her to our teaching team!
Jo Hilliard-Kirkland – ladies
Jo started physie as a 4 year old at the Homebush Club many years ago. For 43 years she competed in team and individual competitions, winning 3 x National Titles in the Ladies Section. She danced in the BJP Centenary, in the Federation of Australia centenary parade and performed as a Sturt Desert Pea in the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics. What an honour to be included in that spectacular production!
Jo taught Seniors and Ladies at the Berala Club and was a judge for BJP. She had a break from physie for 16 years due to a sporting injury, however, she has been a member of the Waratah Club for the past two years.
“Coming back to physie has brought me back to life. It has always been a passion of mine to dance and teach physical culture. I am so excited about teaching ladies classes at Waratah with Fiona and look forward to giving back to physie what it has given me.”
Naomi Byrnes – tiny tots and 5 to 8 years
Naomi has done physie for 20 years (since she was old enough to start!) and has been teaching for 7 years. 2024 will be her 2nd year teaching juniors at Waratah. Naomi is teaching the Tiny Tots and the 5-8years.
Her kind nature and encouragement to the little girls helps her to successfully help and teach girls who are new and/or a little shy, and also girls who are super eager and can’t wait to learn something new.
What Naomi loves most about teaching physie is seeing the progress from the start of the year to when each girl competes at competitions and seeing achievements and smiles.
“Don’t wait until you’ve reached your goal to be proud of yourself. Be proud of every step you take toward reaching your goal” – Naomi
Testimonials from Students and Family
Teena Shoemark
I am proud to have been a part of Waratah Physical Culture Club since my daughter started with the club as a 5 year old in 2010.
Throughout these years I have observed my daughter’s realisation of what it is to be part of a club like Waratah. To try, to succeed, to fail, to accept, to support and, to be supported by the friends and teachers in her club.
Before she began I had never even heard of Physie. So much has been the enjoyment of learning about Physie together and, sharing in her passion for the sport, that I decided at 37 years old to try Physie myself.
The comradery displayed between club members at Waratah physical culture club, both young and old, the support, encouragement and commitment of the teachers and, the celebration of womanhood is really something special to be a part of.
Rebecca Johnston
I’ve been doing Physie at Waratah for five years. The weekly class is a welcome time out from a busy life, where nobody demands anything of me except myself. Fiona is an excellent teacher and the ladies are mutually supportive. Unlike other exercise classes you are missed when you are not there, and the year is spent working towards specific competition goals as an individual and as part of a team.