Since 1980, we have been running as a successful family-friendly club.
About Ashgrove
Club History
Ashgrove Calisthenics Club proudly traced its beginnings back to 1962, when it first opened its doors as St. Matthews Calisthenics Club, originally operating under the guidance of the church. In 1979, the club became an independent organisation and relocated to Ashburton Uniting Church, which remains its home today. The following year, in 1980, the club officially adopted the name Ashgrove Calisthenics Club.
With a proud history spanning more than 60 years, Ashgrove Calisthenics Club is shaped by generations of performers, coaches and families. For the majority of this time, the club was led by its founder and long-standing Principal Coach, Mrs Bev Gaudion, whose influence on both the club and the wider calisthenics community was profound. In addition to her work at Ashgrove, Bev also ran the annual State Championships for Calisthenics Victoria for more than 15 years, further cementing her legacy within the sport.
Ashgrove fields competition teams across all sections, with each section competing in a range of divisions. Our teams are represented at most local Melbourne calisthenics competitions, and our Inters through to Masters proudly compete each year at the prestigious Royal South Street Society Eisteddfod in Ballarat during October and November.
Mrs Gaudion was a highly respected and well-known figure within the calisthenics community and will forever be celebrated as part of Victoria’s sporting history for her lifelong devotion to the sport. She passed away on 21 September 2021, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of dedication, commitment and unreserved joy for calisthenics, particularly for what she lovingly referred to as “her girls”.
Under Bev’s leadership, Ashgrove became more than just a club — it became a family. She fostered a culture of sporting excellence, strong values and community spirit, with many former pupils later returning to the club with their own daughters to experience the same care, discipline and love for calisthenics that Bev instilled.
Bev’s involvement in the sport extended far beyond coaching. She was deeply committed to mentoring young cadets, guiding them on their journeys to become confident and capable coaches. Outside of Ashgrove, she served on the Calisthenics Victoria Committee of Management, was Manager of the State Championship Committee, Convener of the Mountain District Competition Committee, and was actively involved with RSSS competitions.
Her outstanding service to sport was formally recognised in 2000 when she received the Australian Sports Medal of Sporting Achievement, awarded under the command of Prime Minister John Howard. In 2014, she was further honoured with the Service to Sport and Active Recreation Award at the Victorian State Government’s Community Sport and Recreation Awards.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bev’s children, Ross and Susan, her wider family and friends. She will always be deeply treasured and forever remembered, and she will be greatly missed by the entire calisthenics community.
Farewell and thank you, Bev.
Life Members
We would like to congratulate the following people on being presented with ‘Life Membership‘ at Ashgrove Calisthenics Club:
Cherrie W
Jan C
Yvonne M
Janette C
Ali S
Bec D-D
Phil H
Bev G
Sue C
Greta O
Wally C
Michelle B
Sharon W
Narelle G
Robyn Mc
Maree R
Mora L
Pat P
Jo C
Sheryn R
Julie M
What we’re about…
Our Vision Statement
Friendship. Fun. Inclusive.
Developing friendships and confidence through performing together.
Our Mission
A creative team sport that builds confidence, fosters friendships and celebrates achievement.
Our Brand
The affordable club for all ages and abilities; from basics to brilliance.
Our Vision for the future
Building on a firm foundation, growing into the future.
About Calisthenics
Calisthenics is a uniquely Australian artistic sport. Calisthenics involves a team of participants learning routines choreographed to music, incorporating elements of dance, gymnastics, singing, acting, marching, ballet, apparatus technique and performance skills.
As a sport, Calisthenics improves co-ordination, mobility, balance, strength, flexibility and posture as well as fostering self-esteem and team spirit. As an art, it encourages an appreciation of music rhythm, the celebration of movement and the excitement of performing on stage.
The word Calisthenics comes from the Greek words kallos’ for beauty and thenos’ for strength. There are different levels within Calisthenics: some clubs are recreational and choose to perform only at their end of year concert; other clubs perform during the year at a number of competitions, on stage in costumes.
Calisthenics promotes a healthy body and mind. Being part of a team develops self-discipline, teamwork, commitment, responsibility, self-esteem and lasting friendships. The combination of movement and performance skills provides fitness, co-ordination rhythm, grace, deportment and confidence.
The Items
Figure March
Figure March or March is very much about timing and precision. Teams move through various complex formations during the routine, and the emphasis is on team cohesion, precision of movement and timing, it develops spatial awareness, core strength, rhythm and deportment. Only teams from Sub-Juniors upwards to Master’s perform Figure March. Younger teams are taught basic march but do not perform a March routine.
Calisthenics is made up of a range of dance styles, and each team learns and performs an item in each style. Each unique team based item improves the overall health, fitness, strength and flexibility of performers, as well as offering skills and benefits to take into everyday life. Overall the items teach you skills like Teamwork, coordination, self-confidence, concentration, listening, following instructions, communication and presentation.
Club Swinging
Club Swinging or Clubs provide participants to perfect rhythmic movements which include swinging wooden clubs around and across the body, legs and head. Circular swings with the clubs develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, multi-tasking and rhythm. The aim is to have the team perform in unison, and this style encourages timing and builds body coordination.
Free Exercises
Free Exercises or Free-Arm is a creative routine that incorporates gymnastics-type moves demonstrating strength, flexibility and rhythm, develops core strength, flexibility and deportment. Moves that may be included in this type of routine include bend-backs, walk-overs, splits, cartwheels and leg mounts. These moves are taught at a simplified level in the Tinies and Sub-Junior teams, with the techniques being added to as participants move through the sections.
Rod Swinging
Rod Swinging or Rods is manipulation of a light metal rod that is used to perform a dance routine, it incorporates swinging, spinning and twisting of rods in time with team members and music. Rods routines also include flexibility, strength and develops technical skills, hand-eye coordination and multi-tasking.
Aesthetics/Rhythmical Aesthetics
The Aesthetic routine is most similar to ballet or lyrical jazz routines, with flowing skirts, Graceful movements technically placed and interpreted developing musical appreciation, grace and poise. Facial expression is also promoted and encouraged to better tell the story through the dance. Aesthetics is performed by Sub-Juniors upwards to Inters & Masters. Younger teams are taught basic ballet positions but do not perform an Aesthetic routine.
Rhythmical Aesthetics is similar to the aesthetic routine. It includes graceful and elevated movements technically placed and interpreted, develops rhythm, dance, expressive storytelling, leaps and leg extension for running and other sports. Rhythmical Aesthetics is performed by our Seniors only.
Song & Dance
Song & Dance combines singing with choreographed dance, allowing performers to develop expression, musicality and performance skills. The routine is sung throughout while incorporating movement, helping dancers build vocal technique, stamina, breath control and coordination. Song & Dance is performed by Tinies and Sub Juniors.
Dance Arrangement
Dance Arrangement is Dance and interpretation developing spatial awareness, dance, elevation, expression and performance skills. It is similar to Character Dance with the dance and theme elements but it is a more advanced skill item performed by Inters and Seniors.
Calisthenics Revue
Calisthenics Revue is a creative performance to tell a story it includes dance, storytelling and acting, it develops performance skills, acting, creative expression and confidence. The Item has a theme and all team members take part in portraying the theme to the audience. Calisthenics Revue is performed by Juniors and Masters.
