Putting on a show for the royals

BY EMMA BEER

Shirley-Anne Thomson has met the Queen, has lunched with Princess Anne and danced for Prince William.

The Johnsonville resident has been highland dancing for more than 60 years, but she shows no signs of slowing down.

Mrs Thomson, who began dancing at the age of 11, is well-practised in dancing, teaching, judging and examining. She is director of New Zealand Highland Dancing and has been president and secretary of a number of different clubs and societies over the years.

"In 1953 I danced for the Queen with the Wellington City Park Band," said Mrs Thomson, "It was just wonderful."

She felt a bit nervous, but managed to dance her way down the tramlines without issue.

She met Queen Elizabeth and described her as a "lovely, lovely lady".

Mrs Thomson has met the Queen twice since then. Both times the Queen has recognised her and spoke to her at length. "She has a wonderful memory," said Mrs Thomson.

In 2000 Wellington was the first place outside Scotland to host the Edinburgh Tattoo. Mrs Thomson was responsible for organising about 200 highland dancers from around New Zealand to perform in the ceremony.

"It was as funny as a play," she said, "because when they sent over the dancer instructions, their terminology was different to ours."

However, the officials were so impressed that Mrs Thomson and her dancers were invited to Scotland to perform in a tribute for the Battle of Trafalgar.

In 2007 Mrs Thomson had lunch with Princess Anne and heads of the Commonwealth, who were discussing the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Princess Anne is the patron for the Edinburgh Tattoo and Mrs Thomson said "she would make a wonderful Queen".

When Prince William visited Wellington in January, Mrs Thomson presented him with a New Zealand Highland Dancing pin. The prince, upon hearing she had performed for Queen Elizabeth, asked her for a little performance. "I said, 'Oh, oh, all right'. So I did the first part of the [Highland] Fling for him."

Highland dancing is not just about meeting the royals. Over the years Mrs Thomson has visited and performed at hospitals, rest homes and even Arohata Women's Prison.

During her time teaching, she was also recommended to rehabilitation patients. Highland dancing requires a lot of strength – "You're up and down, and lifting yourself all the time," she said.

Mrs Thomson has a strong sports background. She attended St Mary's College and played competitive netball for school and Wellington, was "the top lady at tennis", and set a high jump record. "But don't ask me to rescue you swimming. My family can swim, but not me."

Mrs Thomson is mother to five, grandmother to 10 and great-grandmother to two. She worked 15 years at the Blind Foundation, and has been involved in many charities and fundraisers, including Red Cross and Plunket.

- The Wellingtonian