22 Nov 2012

Thankyou square dancers!

Thanks for all your well wishes whilst I was in hospital it's really good to know that I am appreciated by so many.

5 Nov 2012

3 Nov 2012

6 Oct 2012

Square Dancing in 1953

Emu Park, electricity.... and square dancing
When electricity was switched on in the seaside town of Emu Park in November 1953 by the Minister for Public Instruction, the community celebrated with a huge crowd of square dancers taking over Bell Park. The Emu Park Transmission Line laid down by the Capricornia Regional Electricity Board featured an 11,000 kv line coming direct from Rockhampton to the small village. Emu Park residents were delighted to have a regular power supply to run their refrigerators – and travellers could access power in the popular camping areas. A photograph in The Morning Bulletin of 9 November 1953 shows a vibrant scene of square dancers kicking up their heels in joyful abandon. It’s nice to know that the gorgeous dancing traditions of the past are still being taught and celebrated today.

23 Sept 2012

Blast from the Past

Stories in Rockhampton's 'Morning Bulletin' newspaper reveal some tantalising
titbits about the square dance craze that hit Australia during the 1950s. The Junior Chamber
of Commerce and the YMCA were heavily involved in presenting dance classes to the hundreds
of teenagers interested in learning a new dance style in the central Queensland area in the
early part of the '50s.

John Martins store in East Street sold thousands of handbags to fashionable young things in
the region and promoted the 'Square Dance Bag' which featured  a 'compact yet
roomy' handbag (with a strong clip) for girls interested in looking stylish at dances.

Luckily dancers today no longer require the accoutrements of yesteryear to have fun on the
dance floor.