The Third Age series shines a light on interesting folks over 65 and dives into what it’s actually like to be in that age group. Today, Rose Edwards tells Alex Casey all about her newfound passion for dance.

Rose Edwards is a very busy woman. So busy, in fact, that it takes The Spinoff a few weeks to find time in her jam-packed schedule for an interview. The 74-year-old teaches and attends line dancing classes almost every single day, whether at her home in Summerset Village Wigram or at other locations across Ōtautahi. After marrying very young into a controlling relationship that consumed her life for decades, Rose beams as she talks about how dancing has given her a brand new lease on life. “I love it,” she laughs. “Even when I’m really busy and I’ve got plenty of other things to do, I just want to dance.” 

Tell me more about discovering dancing in your 60s – how did you get into it?

I’d never danced before I came to Summerset, but I’d always wanted to. I used to take my daughter to dance classes. I’d sit in the class with the other mothers, and my feet would be going under the chair because I’d want to get up. But my husband never danced, so I never danced. When I came here, I started doing line dancing with a lady named Joy, who had been teaching line dancing for 25 years in Balclutha. She took a shine to me and thought I showed promise. 

I was hooked, well and truly. But unfortunately, Joy couldn’t do it any longer. Before she passed away, she gave me all her CDs – about 4000 tunes on about 400 CDs. So I took over the class here, and then word got around, and now I’ve taught in Prebbleton, Addington and Russley. 

I do a Thursday and a Sunday morning class, and I attend a three-hour class on Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons. They have an hour for beginners, an hour for improvers, and then an hour for advanced, but I do the whole lot. I just love it – I love watching people learn, because so many of them come and they’ve never danced before. 

What else do you do with your time? 

I love to read. I read for about an hour every day because I know you’re not supposed to watch too much telly or be exposed to too much blue light. When I finished my nursing studies and after I got married and had kids, I went into retail in soft furnishings, so I came to love sewing and virtually any craft. I love doing things with my hands. I’m also a part of the Red Hat Group, and I love decorating hats. I’ll just buy a plain, basic hat and try to make it as huge and elaborate as possible. I’ve got about 14 different hats now. 

What’s a standout sojourn you’ve had with the Red Hat ladies?

We go punting down the Avon really dressed up. We go way out there with as much bling on as possible in our red and purple outfits, and the lovely thing is that people always approach us and say, “What’s this about? You all look so lovely.” 

We all have special royal nicknames too – mine is Lady Rosewater, because I love rosewater and it’s got my name in it. I think it changes your personality when you get dressed up. You could have a real quiet person that doesn’t say much, but when you go out all dressed up you’ll see them smile and come out of their shell. 

What do you like about being in this stage of your life?

I originally thought this stage in my life would be good because I could do whatever I like, whenever I like, but I’m actually so busy with classes and activities these days. I find I’ll wake up in the morning, and the first thing I try and think is, “What day is it? What have I got to do today?”

I’m busier than I’ve ever been, but I’m also happier than I’ve ever been. Personally, I’m amazed by the number of friends I’ve made at Summerset, especially after living such a sheltered life before this. I say it all the time to people: I feel like I truly didn’t start living till I came here.

What advice would you give your younger self? 

I’d just tell myself to be more patient and don’t settle down too early. Slow down and just think about things properly. I also wish I had started dancing when I was much younger, but I’ve also realised it’s never too late. The proof is in the pudding, and that’s what makes me enjoy dancing even more, because I appreciate it so much now. 

I’m aware I’ve got to do all the dancing I can, while I can. I’ve wanted to do this for so long that I don’t care if I die on the dance floor, just as long as I’m making the most out of life. 

What are the biggest changes that you’ve seen in your lifetime?

Technology. I’m technologically challenged – even my cell phone I have trouble with. I prefer using texts, because I am losing my hearing a little bit, and inevitably someone rings me while I’m in the middle of a busy mall or something. My son came to visit and took me to a store to get a laptop, and when we went up to the counter he said “I’ve come here to bring my mother into the 21st Century” – cheeky bugger.

What are you looking forward to at the moment? Any big dance shows coming up?

We’ve got the big dance social next weekend. The line dancing fraternity in New Zealand all know each other, so we get dancers from all over the place coming along. You’ve got different ages, different skill levels, people who have retired and people who are still working. It’s such a variety of people and it’s so much fun. There’s always a theme like Black and White or Denim and Diamonds… this time it’s Midwinter Christmas. I’ve got a big fabulous red hat and a sparkly black T-shirt which I’ve sewed all these glittery bulbs all over. 

Do you have particular favourite dances you’re looking forward to doing?

Oh, there’s so many. All the dances are my favourites. I just hope I can stick around a lot longer so that I can keep dancing.