Tyler Berkley, a sales agent at Ray White Rural Inverell, is trading property inspections for dance lessons after signing up for Stars of Inverell 2027.
The Cancer Council fundraiser pairs local identities with experienced dance teachers to raise money for cancer research and support services, with the gala set for 20 March, 2027 at the Inverell Town Hall.
Tyler has set a fundraising target of $10,000 and plans to share behind-the-scenes updates as he prepares for the performance.
One detail made the decision easier.
“When they approached me, I was promised that actually knowing how to dance wasn’t an entry requirement, which was a huge relief,” Tyler said.
“More than anything, it felt like an incredible, high energy way to rally our town, raise vital funds, and put a spotlight on an essential cause.”
The cause is a personal one for Tyler.
“Like so many people in our community, I’ve had family members and close family friends affected by cancer,” he said.
“Seeing loved ones go through that makes you realise how vital support services and research are, which made supporting this cause an easy decision.”
Tyler, who says he’s never one to shy away from starting a boogie at a party, admits his technical ability is another matter, rating his current dancing skills a two out of 10. He has been paired with ballroom dancer Krystal Siemon, and the pair are in the early stages of putting together a routine.
“She definitely has her work cut out for her whipping me into shape, but we’re going to have a lot of fun putting it together,” Tyler said.
As rehearsals ramp up ahead of the gala, Tyler admits the thought of forgetting his routine mid-performance is already sparking some nerves.
“Cancer is something that hits home for all of us, so if you’d like to support vital work, and see me push well past my comfort zone on stage, every single dollar truly counts,” he said.
Tyler’s fundraising page is live now at stars.cancercouncil.com.au, with the gala still four months away.