MANSFIELD born and raised; the performing arts have been a significant part of Liam Wilson's 25 years, from his birth at the local hospital overseen by Dr Will Twycross, who arrived in costume while performing in the 1997 Mansfield Musical & Dramatic Society's (MMuDs) production of "Annie".
Fast track to 2023, and Liam plans to spread his wings further afield, starting in Newbridge, near Dublin in Ireland, catching up with friends, teaching some dance workshops, and some busking to kick off his six–month journey when he flies out on April 15.
A confessed royalist, Liam plans to be in London on May 6 to coincide with the coronation of the new monarch King Charles III at Westminster Abbey and absorb the pomp and ceremony.
Besides a fascination with the British Royals, Liam is deeply interested in political figures such as John F Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
On the music front, the Beatles and Michael Jackson have influenced Liam, especially the latter in terms of his professional dancing career.
Latest Stories
Liam said his love of performance started at age four when he saw the classic movie "Titanic."
He is well known in local theatre circles, having been involved for over 13 years in at least six MMuDs productions, including "Grease", on the stage and behind the scenes.
Liam started dancing with Maddie and Ellie Kay of M.A.D. Studios from 2009 and finished Year 12 at Mansfield Secondary College in 2015.
Volunteering is deeply entrenched in Liam's psyche, which he attributes to his parents, James and Catriona Wilson, who run the community Mansfield Armchair Cinemas.
"We are a close family unit and supportive of one another and I keep in touch with my younger sister Hayley (Olympian skateboarder) who now lives in Melbourne," said Liam.
Over the past three years, Liam has also worked with his mother to manage her accommodation business, About Time Retreats.
While the arts consume much of Liam's time, he has regularly played tennis socially and competitively for 20 years and has coached tennis with Danny Cahill recently.
"Tennis works hand in hand with dance as it teaches stamina and eye to hand coordination," Liam explains.
"My favourite tennis player Roger Federer who I compared to the Michael Jackson of tennis has inspired me with his footwork on the court."
After leaving school, Liam devoted himself to several volunteer roles, including as a teacher's aide at the primary school, supporting secondary college drama teacher Dallas Daniel and working with Linda Sampson at the Steiner School on flash mob routines.
"From 2017 to 2019 I completed three years of performing arts and teaching study in Melbourne at Transit Dance, two years fulltime and one year part time," Liam said.
"I have also competed in and placed first in the World Championships Of Performing Arts on a number of occasions which involved travel to the United States except during COVID when it was by Zoom in 2020," he proudly adds.
Also, during COVID, Liam started as a presenter with Radio Mansfield and has continued in various time slots, with Monday morning now his regular spot.
Liam agreed he has "absolutely" learned new skills from this latest role and described it as a "growing time."
Skills acquired include good diction, program scheduling, keeping calm on air, and learning interview techniques, which he said has led to being employed as a D.J. for various events.
Liam can often be spotted sharing his unique dance moves at various community events, including the Mansfield Bush Market, to raise funds for worthwhile causes and volunteer activities.
One paid role he is particularly proud of is teaching 10 flash mob routines to young people over the last two and a half years as part of the Mandala Leadership Program.
His energy and smiley persona will be missed, but as he said, "Going to Ireland is to work and experience a new culture", and he is open to what the future holds.
