Reprinted from 'Monaro Musings' the magazine of the Monaro Folk Society

From The Bush Dancers display group

The Bush Dancers display group have been having a top time in the last month or so, with performances, bush dancing on Norfolk Island, a Gala Ball at the Albert Hall, and get-togethers leading up to the above events.

Working with trip co-ordinator Lyn McGregor, musician co-ordinator David Johnson, the Norfolk Island Social Ballroom dance committee, and many other helpers, we organised the Wonderful Week of Bush Dancing on Norfolk Island. And what a wonderful week it was. After a huge week of workshops and dance the cries from the sixty or so dancers, musicians and callers were not for "mercy" but for "more!", and "where are we going next?".

The extra-curricular activities matched the high standard of the formal program produced by our musicians and callers. There was a vast array of activities like convict nights, progressive dinners, impromptu barbecues and tours, and not a little time spent on the Norfolk Triangle dance and music composition challenge. The RSL Club made us particularly welcome with singing and dancing through the week, building up to a lovely Anzac Day lunch with music dance and songs of the war era. The local bands welcomed our musicians to join them on stage, and enjoyed the sessions with the experienced bush musicians.

What next? There are lots of ideas floating around following the success of the Norfolk Island trip. If you would like to be amongst the first to know about future plans, keep reading the Monaro Musings, and email Barbara and Lance<dance@pcug.org.au> and we will add you to the free Canberra Dance News list.

One of the unforeseen spin-offs from the Norfolk Island trip was the number of interstate guests at the Bush Dancers' Gala Ball that came hot on the heels of the trip. And what a great night was the night of the ball. Canberra put on a perfect clear, still autumn night, and the Albert Hall once again came alive to the sounds of the MFS Big Band and the swirling of ball gowns. There was a great mix of dancers from absolute beginners through to some of Australia's finest, and caller Peter Foster gave us all a perfect fast-moving and fun-filled night.

The gala ball was in celebration of The Bush Dancers display group's sixth birthday, but we were also celebrating our return to the Albert Hall, and so we were privileged to have honoured guests Mr John Hargreaves, the Minister for Territory and Municipal Services, Minister for Housing and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, and Ms Mary Porter AM, Member of the Legislative Assembly and their parties join us for the evening. John has a keen sense of history and is committed to the rejuvenation of the Albert Hall, indeed delivering $2.7 million for the initial refurbishment project in the recent ACT budget, and was instrumental in ensuring that the management of the hall remains in public hands. Mary is a well-known supporter of volunteering in the ACT and activities such as our own.

We are sure that our distinguished guests, along with all the newcomers there on the night, will vouch that it would be hard to find a more friendly, tolerant and welcoming group of people than those they found at the Albert Hall on the night of the Gala Ball.

Thanks to everyone who helped, to Pete, Mary, John, Marianne and Bruce, and everyone who helped to put the night together, too many to name but you know who you are and we appreciate your ongoing and enthusiastic support.

It was lovely to, in the words of John Hargreaves, "immerse ourselves in the Albert Hall's history and ambience of years gone by", and we appreciate the efforts of all those who helped save the Albert Hall, one of the few large community dancing spaces that Canberra has to offer. And after all, an active community is a happy and healthy community.

After such a ball, we look forward to our next and regular bush dancing events at the Albert Hall. Ideas welcome.

Cheers

Barbara and Lance

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Please click for reports from:
Coral Eden
Peter Ellis
Stuart Sims