Farewell Madame Carimina

Madame Carimina (Lorna Phyllis Jermyn - 13.6.24 - 27.5.20) was farewelled at a service in her hometown of Neerim South in Gippsland, Victoria, on Friday.

Carimina was a pioneer in Spanish dance in Australia. A graduate of Lalagia Estudio de Baile Clasico Espanol, London, she established her Academy of Spanish Dance in Latrobe Street in Melbourne in 1958 (in the same building as Paul Hammond’s ballet school). She formed the Spanish Ballet Company of Carimina from graduates of the school, touring all around Australia to present the traditional dances and music of Spain to children and adults. She was chairman of the organising committee for folkdancing for Moomba in 1967.

In 1972 Carimina was awarded the British Empire Medal and the following year was awarded a grant from the Australia Council to further her study of Spanish dance in Spain and London. She published a booklet, The Fascination of Spain, in 1974.

Carimina was a passionate protector and lover of animals; she also loved gardening and playing and teaching the violin. She embraced life with openhearted and infectious enthusiasm. She will be greatly missed by her many friends and fans.

She is survived by her son, Richard.