About UPC

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.

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.

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.

As a third generation physie girl, physical culture runs through Debbie’s veins.  Debbie draws upon strong women in her life for her success and teaching.  Her great aunt was an Edith Parsons Physical Culture teacher of National Champions and mother of a National BJP Ladies Champion in the 1960’s. Both helped establish a love and confidence of dance for a very shy little girl.

Debbie has always enjoyed a variety of dance styles, ballet, jazz, tap and was an inaugural member of the Ulladulla Entertainers dance troupe.  Debbie even tried her hand at square dancing.

 Debbie joined the Ulladulla Physical Culture Club when she was 8 years old. With daily practice Debbie was able to reach National Level competitions at the Opera House each year as a junior, twice as a Second year Senior as well as 2nd place National Lady competitor.  Debbie says she is grateful for all the teachers and women in her life who have supported her to march out and shine.

What Debbie loves about BJP Physical Culture is how she can draw on their values and adapt them in all aspects of life, such as, good posture and body confidence, perseverance and practice leading to mastery, as well as accepting feedback graciously.

What she loves about Ulladulla Physie Club is the fun every week brings, connecting with friends, exercising together, challenging and supporting each other to create a positive, inclusive environment.

As a teacher, Debbie has over 25 years of experience working as an Early Childhood Practitioner, and with a Primary Teaching Degree she draws on a wealth of knowledge to make classes fun and a safe place where every child is seen for their unique self.  Debbie chooses to uphold the Ulladulla Physie Club Shine Statement to help and empower students to be the best physie person they can be.

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. 

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.