Held at the Melbourne Pavilion at Flemington, the Miss Pole Dance Victoria/Tasmania 2011/2012 #MPDV11 saw thousands of friends, family, associates of the pole dance competitors, circus performers and also fellow pole dance enthusiasts if not competition sponsors themselves. It is an annual event to hand-pick finalists for the Miss Pole Dance Australia held in Sydney on November 4th, 2011. The winner would then represent Australia at Miss Pole Dance World Championships 2012. The prestige of winning this national title itself is enough on its own. Being involved in the pole fitness industry as a student myself, as I watch the industry grow, I anticipated that the participants’ level would be world-class and indeed it was true to my expectations.
True to the level of the theme provided; “Hollywood glamour” and also the ticket prices; with availability of food and champagne; exclusive like a full-blown ballroom-dancing competition with men in suits and ladies in cocktail dresses at the very least.
It was a really smooth-running event organised by Pole Divas Australia as we were ushered into the pavilion to our tables with a glass of champagne in our hands.
There were two stages; one for the pole dance competition, the other one with aerial hoops.
Thalia, Jen and I toast for the wonderful night.
We had a lot of finger food throughout the night enough to fill our tum-tums; this was just one example.
Lauren Runge, one of the instructors at Pole Divas as the ambassador of Vata Activewear for the night.
Shoes by Pleasers USA.
Skorts by 007 Heaven, and some hand grips for sale.
These were custom-made!
Bling bling at night! They’re way too high for me!
The few stores that were set-up before we dined.
Alex French and Amy Hazel Price.
Thalia.
Sonida, Thalia, Kim, Hayley, Jen.
Simone and Kat next to Jen.
With Beth and Jen.
Simple and yummy. Gone within seconds!
My pole partner in crime – and after today, we’re thinking about the possibilities of joining Miss Pole Australia / Malaysia together in the doubles category – in the future 
Leng just found pole dancing not long ago.
Hayley and Thalia.
Sonida was this year’s Unleashed 2011 Advanced winner. Had to hug her to get her to rub off some good luck charm for me to win next year’s Unleashed 2012 Advanced level!
One of the best outfits of the evening.
The opening dance by Vata Activewear.
Circus performances.
We were this close to the stage and I did have this thought on whether it would burn my head off – clearly it was safe!
Tango by Fabio and Ana, also judges for the night, from Robles Dance School.
Closing act of their tango performance with the circus performers.
The emcee of the evening introducing the organisers, sponsors and participants.
Contestant #1: Gracie (Pole Divas)
The petite and fit Gracie wowed the audience with her cute (nerdy/sexy) little school girl performance.
All tricks were executed neatly, it was light and punchy as an opening act.
Contestant #2: Gabrielle (Pole Fetish)
Amazing strength throughout, really neat routine too.
Contestant #4: Kylie J
Kylie J was the winner of Miss Pole Dance Victoria 2010 and yet again proved a consistent, perky performance.
I know, tell me about it – the level of MPDV11.
Contestant #5: Sally (Polelicious)
Sally started her performance blind-folded for a few good minutes and those moves weren’t easy! They were handsprings, to that effect!
Contestant #6: Miss Filly – 3rd Place Winner
Filly came in 3rd place in this competition, true to very own style, quirky and displayed massive strength and an extremely strong theme. She went as little red riding hood this time.
And then, the song changed into a loud thumping rock song and she climbed up the pole with her bare hands only (no legs involved!). Crazy, right? I know. Crazy strength!
Contestant #7: Fontaine (STUDOM3)
Fontaine was a hot favourite who came in as 3rd runner up at the finals of Miss Pole Dance Australia 2010, chosen as the wildcard at the Victoria heat. My bet is that she will go into the finals again this year.
Fontaine is very “bendy”, and full of muscles and strength full stop.
Contestant #8: Bethany (PhysiPole Studios)
Bethany did very well, with a lot of unique tricks and transitions we don’t commonly see and had a few daredevil movements and drops too.
Then, it was time for Rachel Kmetko and Jessica Ward to vow the audience with their aerial performance.
Next up after the break was Lou Landers.
Contestant #9: Lou Landers (Pole Divas) – Winner
Lou’s performance was engaging. She looked at the audience a lot. We felt like we were a part of it.
Absolutely fantastic, well-deserved winner. No flaw at all in her routine. Great theme, great musicality, great flow, great outfit, great glow. I am very proud that my instructor is Ms Pole Dance Victoria and vying Ms Pole Dance Australia! Yes, Lou teaches me Advanced 1 Spin at Pole Divas.
And she can stay there in this position like, forever. Such a lovely soul, really deserves to win with her hard work and effort.
And again and again and again! It was all pure strength!
Contestant #10: Tammi (Bottoms Up Burlesque)
Poison Ivy was in the room.
Lisa (Bottoms Up Burlesque) – 2nd Place Winner
I liked her performance, it was neat, all about pure strength. I didn’t really know what to make out of the theme, but I kind of liked it. I don’t know if I can consider her theme a bit dark, with consistent and similar beats throughout the song. Nice, well-executed.
Doubles Competitors #1: Jenny & Danielle (PhysiPole Studios)
Very cute theme, I liked their style. Great start of the routine, very synchronised in their contemporary dance style.
Doubles Competitors #2: Miss Filly & Bootsy – WINNERS
This one was just….HAHAHAHAHA. So amazing alright! I was really looking forward to this routine and they made it! Especially the worm on-the-ground, synchronised backwards. How awesome!
Their performance was just bursting with energy throughout!
And they also executed a really tough trick Jen and I had wanted to do. The difference is, Jen and I broke this long trick down into two parts and I started / landed on the ground instead. Such a well-deserved win displaying variety, synchronicity, oomph and the lot! So entertaining!
After the doubles category, there were more circus performances.
Taylor Grace gave a mini speech thanking organisers for putting a great show. She added, “I just hope the person whom I think deserves to win wins it”. Taylor Grace was secretly hoping that Kim Ong deserves to win it, but little did she know that it would take me 2 years to get there, if I’m ambitious enough!
And indeed as everyone thought, Lou Landers won!
I’ve got a photo of Jesse Spezza from Beckon Photography taking this photo:
Well done ladies!
And the results again are as follows (L-R):
Winner: Lou Landers (Pole Divas)
1st Runner-Up: Lisa (Bottoms Up Burlesque)
2nd Runner-Up: Miss Filly (Pole Divas)
Doubles Winners: Miss Filly & Bootsy (Pole Divas)
Amazing! Absolutely wonderful. Standard was so high and these girls made it. Well done finalists. Truly world-class. I am so proud to be a part of this amazing pole fitness sport.
Lou Landers and her students!
My Jimmy Choo’s at the gala event earlier. Wearing them made my heart skip a bit reminiscing the first and last time I wore it during my wedding. Teehee!
Goodie bag from tonight’s dinner from the silver table package.
I noticed something familiar – and realised that Beckon Photography had put Jen and myself on the voucher! 
See you at Miss Pole Dance Australia 2011/2012.
For more goss here: click to this article here at Pole Dance AUS.
