Elsie (Mitchell) Dobbs 11.9.1908 - 5.8.1999

Elsie began learning dancing and acrobatics at the age of 5, with Miss Chrissie Royal and soon went on the stage.  Elsie became one of a troupe of 6 children called The Royal Wonders.  The troupe later became known as the Fullers 11 Wonders.  Sir Benjamin Fuller changed their name when they began appearing in his pantomime productions.  The children's ages ranged from 6 - 16.

Elsie travelled interstate on many occasions and told of how the children mostly went to convent schools and at the end of the day they would put on a concert for the school.

At the age of 16, Elsie had to leave the Wonders and then went into Vaudeville, performing in many shows with Kit and Con Moreni among others, travelling to New Zealand and interstate here in Australia.

Elsie stayed on stage until she married in 1928, then commenced teaching for a few years.  She had 2 children, Kevin and Beverley.

In 1949 after Elsie had begun to teach again, she commenced BBO and Federal Tap examinations where her association with Dorothy Cowie began.

In the early 1950's Elsie started teaching with her cousin Thelma Duff, in Roselle,  This began her association with SATD and Pat Cavanagh.  When Thelma retired, Elsie took over the studio.  Elsie and Dorothy then started to spread the word with Elsie travelling to Qld in 1955 to talk to some teachers and encourage them to join SATD.

Elsie became an Examiner for SATD in 1958.  Her great pleasure was encouraging the young teachers and sharing her knowledge with them.  When the interstate branches became larger, Dorothy and Elsie used to often travel together to examine and shared many happy times on their travels.

Elsie retired from teaching in the 1970's and continued to examine for a few more years.  Elsie never lost interest in dancing and was made a Life Member of ATOD in 1994.

The other great pleasure in Elsie's life were her 5 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.