About UPC
The Ulladulla Physical Culture Club (UPC) was established in 1976 and has been associated with BJP Physie since 1977.
UPC is a place where members of all ages come together each week to learn and perfect the art of Physie and explore the possibilities of training and challenging the body to perform, supported by the mind.
Although Physie routines are a combination of many different types of dances and exercise, you don’t necessarily need to have any experience in any of these styles to master Physie. UPC welcomes participation from anyone who wants to challenge themselves.
UPC Associates have extensive experience and encourage every member to achieve their goals. UPC prides itself on helping members build confidence and self-esteem, not only at Physie, but skills that are transferrable into everyday life. UPC promotes working as a team as well as individually achieving goals.
At UPC we value our community and welcome input and diversity. Our Associates are committed to making every class fun and energetic. UPC celebrates both effort and success.
UPC Teachers
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Robyne’s love of dance and music commenced from the age of 3 when she explored multiple types of dance styles and singing classes loving the costumes, performance, and involvement with her mother. Robyne commenced Bjelke Petersen Bros Physical Culture (BJP) at the age of 7 when she joined the Carlton/Sydney BJP Club to fill the last position in their 7year team. At the age of 13 Robyne joined the Lakemba Methodist BJP Club enjoying individual and team competitions with her school friends. Robyne joined ladies’ classes at the Pendle Hill BJP Club in 1970. It was all of these experiences that inspired Robyne to teach Physie.
When Robyne’s young family decided to move to Burrill Lake there wasn’t any BJP Physie Club locally available, and so in 1976 Robyne took the brave decision to form her own Club and develop her own syllabus for every age group. The Ulladulla Physical Culture Club (UPC) was formed and Robyne was overwhelmed with the attendance and interest for a new sport in the area. UPC met each week at the Ulladulla Civic Centre. Classes for the new UPC filled the then Civic Centre so much so that marching needed to take place in multiple shapes at the same time to fit everyone on the floor, and there were so many members that teams in each age group competed against each other.
In 1977 Robyne decided to join UPC with BJP and has been teaching the BJP syllabus ever since. Since joining BJP Robyne has had the enormous privilege and experience of: growing the Club; developing members; being Head of the Batemans Bay Zone; judging at national Opera House and Homebush Bay Sports Centre competitions, Regional Zone competitions, as well as Interclub and Club competitions. BJP Teacher Robyne Phillips is now affectionately known as ‘Aunty Robyne’, or ‘Aunty Rob’ throughout the entire BJP Physie community.
Robyne has been teaching and interpreting BJP syllabuses since 1977. She has mentored new teachers, taught and mentored national winners/placegetters/finalists, multiple zone champions, and team championship level placegetters. All this while prioritising every single member to strive for their personal goals. Robyne feels that the many hours she has devoted to Physie has been more than compensated with the joy of catching up with, and watching, so many past and present members of all ages around town find lifelong friendships, identify and grow their inner strengths and confidence, and most importantly enjoy sport and have fun.
The wealth of knowledge gained over Robyne’s vast experiences with BJP, and her passion for the sport, drives Robyne to teach with confidence and dedication. Aunty Rob just loves Physie.
Robyne is proud and honoured to be the founder and Life President of UPC. Classes continue in the Ulladulla Civic Centre to this day.
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Renee became a BJP associate teacher in 2014. Renee started physie at 5 years old. After taking a break in her teens, Renee reignited her passion for physie in her early 20s and now gets to enjoy physie alongside her daughter.
Renee has an extensive background in all different dance styles and performances. Renee was fortunate enough to be a part of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games opening and closing ceremonies. She danced her way through high school, dancing in School Spectacular, Southern Stars, Pacific School Games ceremonies, local & state dance festivals, and was a member of the South Coast Dance Ensemble. Renee is happiest when she is on the stage performing. A little secret that Renee doesn’t tell many is that she is a 14-time National line-dancing champion. Renee was blessed to be partnered with the best in the world. This time in her life gave her so much experience in moving the body, appreciating music, and dabbling in some choreography too.
Renee loves the challenging, age-appropriate nature of the BJP syllabus and enjoys guiding her students to be the best possible physie version of themselves. Renee works hard, and instills the necessity of hard work in her students, but also enjoys a laugh along the way.
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Fiona joined BJP Physie in 1994 at the age of 5. In 2022 Fiona became an Associate and joined the UPC teaching team. She has successfully completed levels 1, 2 and 3 of the teaching accreditation course.
Another attribute to her teaching ability is her experience in Jazz, Ballet and Contemporary. She has been a part of senior dance troupes who have competed nationwide.
Although Fiona competes in all aspects of competition, her passion is working in teams with her friends, competing in all levels including senior championship.
Ever since Fiona has been a member of our club she has enjoyed undivided support from her devoted family.
Fiona has proven to be an extremely loyal and dedicated member of the club always having fun with her students and enjoying watching her classes improving and achieving to their highest ability.
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Simone (known as Simi) is a fun-loving, well-rounded Physie enthusiast. Simi has been doing Physie since she was three, started teaching at age 13, and has had a life-long career in Health, Fitness and Remedial Therapies. Physie has helped Simi stay healthy, focused, grounded, and strong in all areas of her life. She loves sharing her Physie wisdom with others and enjoys encouraging and supporting her students and the Physie Community. She believes Physie is a gateway to physical, mental, and emotional health and balance.
Simone has had a colourful Phyise career, having enjoyed performing on the Opera House Floor since she was six and has even had the honour of National Champion in individual and team events.
However, for Simone, success is all about coming to class every week, sharing fun and laughter with her classmates and striving for her best every time.
Success is happiness, and Simi’s Physie performances, and Physie family, bring her just that.
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Karli has been involved with UPC since 2015 when she enrolled her eldest daughter in the under 5’s class. What a joy it was to see her child thrive and grow confidence. Seeing the Club’s value, Karli became extensively involved with UPC administration and an invaluable member of the UPC leadership team.
With a background in childcare, and with both daughters now UPC members, Karli’s family encouraged her to commence teaching the under 5’s class in 2022. She enjoys finding different ways to stimulate and engage this age group to help them learn the basics and find the courage to perform. In the same year Karli decided to join the Ladies class and has since challenged herself to perform in both individual and team competitions. The experience has given her so much to pass on to both her children and UPC’s youngest members.
Karli thoroughly enjoys helping every UPC member learn about Physie and performance. She supports every member in achieving their Physie goals.
In 2023 Karli became UPC Club Secretary and received the award for Outstanding Club Member.
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Bella has always had a strong competitive spirit. Her dance experience across many forms (physical culture, jazz, ballet, contemporary, and hip hop) has been a constant in Bella's life. Physie runs in the Pennell family DNA. Bella's passion for Physie and dance started as soon as she could walk where she entered her first Club competition at just 19months old and excitedly received 3rd place. At just 7 years old Bella won Club Champion of Champions. Bella treasured classes alongside her sisters which united the siblings in a common goal. Bella has achieved considerable Physie success and has been a national semi-finalist and finalist on numerous occasions.
Bella now enjoys the UPC lady's classes and successfully competes in both individual and team competitions. Physie has enabled Bella to create life-long friendships with both teachers and fellow members. Now her greatest joy is to share her love of Physie with her two daughters who are blossoming in competitions. She is beyond proud of both of them.
Working alongside Aunty Rob since 2021 supporting junior classes, Bella also delights in helping UPC members reach their full potential and loves seeing them form wonderful connections. For Bella it is an honour to help young members improve and achieve Physie goals.
Our History
Ulladulla Physical Culture Club (UPC) was founded in 1976 by Robyne Phillips. Robyne continues to teach and lead UPC to this day with the help of an experienced and motivated team. Luckily, in 1976 when UPCC was formed, the Ulladulla Civic Centre was available for classes. To this day, UPC classes continue in the impressively renovated Ulladulla Civic Centre facility. It’s a wonderful continuity that has created success for both members and the club.
An enthusiastic Robyne was passionate about the possibilities for UPC, but nervous of whether anyone would initially turn up to the first class. The opposite happened. UPC exploded with members, and those members embraced the sport. UPC was fortunate that it attracted, and continues to attract, people who have had a previous connection with Physical Culture and/or a background in dance. This has always contributed to UPC’s high standard. Although, proudly UPC has trained and supported champions who had never done Physie before. UPC has a wonderful history of achievement which is regularly celebrated.
UPC’s history is extensive. The Club’s continued success has, and continues to, rely on many key people contributing and dedicating their time. There are too many to mention individually, but the Club extends gratitude to each and every person. However, there are three people that are quite memorable to acknowledge:
Prior to the introduction of CDs and the Internet, Physie was practiced and performed accompanied by piano. UPC was lucky enough to initially enlist Mrs Nancy Browne, a much beloved local school teacher, who became UPC’s very first pianist. Mrs Browne added magic to classes and local competitions.
Over the years UPC had many different pianists, but UPC was more than overwhelmingly grateful for the privilege of having Mrs Patty Yates, a brilliant musician and delightful lady, play for and support UPC for many years right up until CDs were introduced.
UPCC now embraces the full extent of current technology – music remains a key part of the enjoyment in every class.With so many members UPC initially enlisted buses to take all the competitors and families safely to and from competitions. UPC would like to thank Mr Richard (Dickie) Hubbard for his reliability, punctuality, patience, humor, and responsible driving on roads which were nothing like what they are today. UPC bus trips are fabled amongst members past and present who experienced them, with often so many nervous journeys to competitions, and excited celebrations on trips home.
Thank you so much to Nancy, Patty, and Dick from the bottom of our hearts.
UPC’s impressive initial membership meant that the first end of year Club competition in 1976 was quite the event. UPC members demonstrated a competitive drive. In 1977 Robyne felt UPCC members were ready to challenge themselves and join Bjelke Petersen Bros (BJP). The rest is history.
On the back of team competition successes in 1977, UPC was promoted to an ‘A Grade’ Club after one year of competition.
A legendary story that is often shared at outings is when during the first UPC participation in Wollongong Zone Lady ‘Beginner’ competitions, Ulladulla competitors participated across 11 heats and 5 semi-finals. In the final of 12 women, 11 of the finalists were from UPC. UPC took all 5 places – the euphoria and excitement was palpable. It is safe to say that UPC took the Wollongong zone by surprise with the quality of individual and team performances.
During the Club’s existence, UPC has continued to nurture many outstanding results in both team and individual Junior, Senior, and Ladies competitions. It wasn’t long before UPC Junior members were upgraded to Championship Grade. Over the years UPC has nurtured national winners/placegetters/finalists, multiple zone champions/placegetters/finalists, and team championship, A grade and B grade, level wins and places.
The UPC Inter-Club competition held each year at the Ulladulla Dunn Lewis Centre is a wonderful opportunity for anyone to come and watch Physie – we would love to see you there.
Physie performance wear has evolved with fashion, society norms, and member feedback. From original tunics and ballets, to leotards, and now choices between leotard, top and legging options. Current focus is on simplicity, comfort, and ease of movement. Performance wear is now designed for multiple ages and body shapes, in a variety of colours and styles. Costs are modest and there is an active second-hand performance wear market further reducing costs. At the same time hairstyles and performance guidelines have evolved to consider simplicity. The emphasis is well and truly on position skill as well as interpretation of music and syllabus.
The Ulladulla district community has always been incredibly supportive of UPC and its approach of fun and friendship. UPC has been fortunate to have many families show a keen interest in the continuation of the Club’s growth. To this day UPC is extremely grateful for the financial and non-financial support the Club receives from members, member families, and town businesses. UPC is extremely proud of the Mums and Dads who support the Club and help with fund raising. Without this UPC could not continue to provide regular wonderful member experiences.
UPC’s strong ethical standards, a culture of belonging and support to achieve team and personal best goals, as well as a safe place to compete, continues to sustain the Club. UPC’s existence is due to: the multitude of people who have given their time and support; the undeniable good-will within the Club; the backing of the local community; the compelling charismatic dynamics of members; and the Club’s continued resilience. UPC has a culture of inclusivity, respect, team work, and achievement. UPC’s culture is revered throughout the Physie community.
Achievements
UPC has always valued and celebrated its many team and individual achievements. The Club promotes exemplary sportsmanship and a healthy competitive attitude.
While the Club strives for success it is not always about winning. UPC’s biggest achievement is the family friendly, inclusive, and supportive culture that underpins the Club’s real success.
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Arliah - Zone Finalist, Repechage Finalist
Avanah B - Zone Finalist, Repechage Competitor
Kylah - Zone Finalist, Repechage Semi Finalist
Evie - Zone Finalist, Repechage Competitor
Belinda - Zone Finalist
Keshi - Opera House Finalist
Simone - Masters 2nd Place Over 40's
Intermediate Ladies Team - 3rd Place
Arliah - Junior Club Champion
Mia - Intermediate Club Champion
Keshi - Senior Club Champion
Simone - Ladies Club Champion
Keshi - Champion Of Champions
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