This well-known Wollongong restaurateur had 'a very good reason' to step decisively out of his comfort zone

Under normal circumstances, competitively dancing in front of hundreds of strangers would not be on the cards for Barry Pearson.

The director of Disco Dining Group – the team behind Thirroul’s Boveda and Wollongong’s Bar Cabron – is a trained chef, after all, and is better with his hands than his feet.

“Let’s just say it normally takes quite a bit of liquid courage to get me on the dance floor,” he says.

But as with many of his fellow contestants in Wave FM’s Stars of Wollongong fundraising gala and dance competition, this is personal.

Late last year having just left the hospital where he had learned that his grandmother, who was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer, had been given a few weeks to live, a heavy-hearted Barry was thinking about bailing on the Wave FM Christmas party he had committed to.

But he went, and was approached by the Cancer Council about becoming one of the Stars of Wollongong 2025. It seemed like a sign.

“I had a very good reason to say yes,” he says.

Now in its 10th year, Wave FM’s Stars of Wollongong has raised more than $1.2 million to support Cancer Council NSW’s initiatives.

The annual competition pairs professional dance coaches with local leaders and legends who each are assigned a genre, learn a dance routine and perform it live in front of an audience of more than 750 people at the gala event, all while raising funds for a cancer-free future.

Strapping on their dancing shoes alongside Barry are Mick Caruana of Wave FM, Nikki Aitchison of Illawarra Hotel, Orlane Mortimer of Wollongong Crane Trucks, Darren Frame of D. Frame Electrical, Dr Aimee Silla of the University of Wollongong, Kylie Reh of Rekreate Womens Fitness, Xanthe Britton of Client Care First, Jamie Adams of Impact Garage Doors, Martin Lo Suro of MMJ Real Estate, Zeljka Jovanovic of Apeiron Skills, Marion Zahra of Maison Mazaking and Kaelah Austin of the Illawarra Stingrays.

Many of the stars have a deep personal motivation to participate. Rekreate Women’s Fitness owner Kylie Reh is currently wrapping up her own cancer treatment, while the Illawarra Hotel’s Nikki Aitchison is dancing in memory of her dear friend and colleague, Liam, who tragically lost his brief battle with cancer.

Participants commence training this month, working towards reaching their fundraising targets and competing for four awards: Judges’ Choice, People’s Choice, Best Costume and Highest Fundraiser.

Cancer Council’s Southern office Community Fundraising Coordinator Robyn Dawson says she is excited to see what this year’s line-up of stars will bring to the stage.

“Stars of Wollongong is truly a one-of-a-kind adventure, pushing participants to step outside their comfort zones in ways few experiences ever do,” she says.

“It’s an incredibly rewarding team sport where, in just 12 weeks, you can fundraise up to a quarter of a million dollars. This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to raise such a significant sum, ensuring that no-one faces cancer alone.

“We’re beyond excited to have such a dedicated group of local heroes supporting this cause, and we can’t wait to see the impact they’ll make, both on and off the dance floor.”

Barry’s lessons have commenced with a coach from Miss Zoe’s School of Dance, and will take place every Saturday until the competition at the gala on Saturday 31 May at Wollongong Entertainment Centre.

“I am repressing the nerves til the big day,” he says. “It makes it easier to know my performance will be a tribute to my grandmother.”

As part of Barry’s fundraising efforts, he has teamed up with event production company Holy Pavlova and Thirroul Surf Life Saving Club to stage its annual charity concert in May at Thirroul’s Railway Hall, sponsoring the event with wine and the once legendary Papi’s burgers.

But before that, Disco Dining Group will host a gala on Friday 11 April at Boveda, with a silent auction, live entertainment and of course, delicious food and beverages.

Book your spot for the special night via Boveda, or donate to the Stars of Wollongong via Cancer Council.