27th MFS Colonial Ball : University House, 1 September 2007


CanberraWaltzCover-sm.jpg (5808 bytes)It is 80 years since Federal Parliament moved from its (26 years') temporary seat at Melbourne and took up residence at (Old) Parliament House on King George’s Tce.pumpkincoach.gif (3817 bytes)

To mark this 80th anniversary, the theme this year was The Parliament Ball - and we tried to recreate a Colonial Ball as one might have been run in 1927. In the past, the term “colonial” has been open to fairly broad interpretation, so the guideline was “colonial or period dress preferred”. No doubt, if a “colonial ball” had been held in 1927, some Edwardian or even “flapper” attire would have been seen among the 19th century costumes.

Consistent with the theme of our Ball, our very special Guest of Honour was someone who not only was in Canberra when Parliament House was opened, but whose father brought Canberra to life. He was also influential in giving it a cultural soul. Our guest of honour was Nan Boyd, who was born Nancy Daley, daughter of Jessie Shaw Daley and Charles Studdy Daley OBE.

Nan's father was the Chief Administrator of the ACT and Canberra, and he oversaw the building of the city and the establishment of Parliament House, working closely with Walter Burley Griffin and King O'Malley. Daley held numerous significant positions, including being a member of the Committee that planned the ANU and University House, where our Ball was held. (The background image - the chalice - is the logo of University House.) And Nan's mother was a leader in the Canberra community for many years.

Nan led our Grand March into the First Set. Then the 111 dancers (55 male, 56 female, including four Young Dancers - 2+2) really took off. It was a “Roaring Twenties” of a Ball!! Many had taken the opportunity to do a 1920s number, dresswise, while many others maintained the elegance of the 1800s. It was even rumoured that Squizzy Taylor (or was it John Wren?) was there - dark suit, white tie and black hat - but mercifully, no violin case! The programme mixed every kind of dance music one might want (thank you Dave). The Palais Glide was a rewarding challenge, but one of the best sights was a lady in a crinoline doing a great Charleston. And they said it couldn't be done? They should visit Canberra. [If it can be done, try New York. If it can't be done, try Canberra.]

The guests weren't only from the Canberra region: there were dancers from Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne, Sydney, and even one who broke out from a yachting regatta at Hamilton Island to be there.

To sum up:- The music was grand. The callers responded admirably to unexpected modifications of the programme. The guest speaker was a charm. The catering was well-managed. The dancers dressed beyond expectation - so much effort was put into doing “colonial” or 1920s, and they worked so well together. We had a lot of fun.

And now we're thinking about next year.....


The Flyer & Booking Form The Programme: 7:30pm-midnight
 
Flyer designed by Sandra Martens,
based on artwork for the score of
1927 Canberra Waltz
composed by Charlotte Cameron.

The Dance Card

1.   Grand March -:- Nan in the First Set27waltz-b.gif (3700 bytes)
2.   Kings Waltz
3.   Jolly Miller Promenade
4.   Polka Cotillion
5.   Charmaine (uncalled, led from the floor)
6.   Swing Waltz (uncalled, led from the floor)
7.   Double Sir Roger De Coverly
8.   Charleston (uncalled, led from the floor)
9.   Circassian Circle Part 5
Address by the Guest of Honour - Nan Daley Boyd
10. Palais Glide

Supper

11. Australian Ladies (uncalled)
12. Circle Waltz
13. Military Two Step
14. Virginia Reel
15. Varsoviana (uncalled, led from the floor)
16. The Lancers Quadrille
17. Maxina (uncalled, led from the floor)
18. Adelaide Race Day
19. La Tempete
20. Veleta Waltz (uncalled, led from the floor)

Band: Wongawilli
Callers: Norm & Gwen Burke

And a big thank you to..... (click)

Photo Gallery
Photos by Myk Dowling except where indicated.
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The Factory Floor - 7:00pm

The March Begins

Waltz 1
Speecht9678z.jpg (6248 bytes)
Nan Daley Boyd

Charleston

Waltz 3

Sandra, Dave, Pauline

John & friend

Waltz 2

Bruce & Mitzi

Jeff, Sandra, Ruth, James

Set Dance

Howard & Catherine

Alan & Cathy

 

John G

"Carding"

Quadrille

Hands Around

First Set

Deborah, Ian, Arawata

Christine & John

Amy & Bob

Young Dancers in back

Waltz 3a

Waltz 3b

Waltz 4

Waltz 4a

Waltz 4b

Waltz 4c

Waltz 5

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Our Four Bouncers

Arminel & Pat

Nathan

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Moir & Gavin

Diane & Ray

..

Right, another Young Dancer

Pride & Prejudice?

Charleston - or as you like it
_John & Anne_1_1-t.jpg (6565 bytes)
John & Ann (pic Jenny Wardrobe)

June, Pauline, John, Colin

Rob & Pauline

Mitzi, Murray, Vivien, Colin

Palais Glide

Palais Glide (2)

Palais Glide (3)

Wongawilli & Norm Burke

Gwen Burke

Dave de Santi

Sam

Gavin, Moir, Amy, Alan

Lyn, Diane

Two Judys

David & Vivien

Virginia Reel
(the Gone With The Wind dance)

Lloyd, Alan, Janice

More Virginia Reel

Arminel, Ian, Pauline, Vil, Angela

Flapper (pic Judy Casey)

Barbara & Lance

Pat & Judy

Varsoviana

Couples
The next five photos courtesy of Jenny Wardrobe

Jenny & Geoff

“The McSpats”

Adrian, Elsa, Antonella, Rod, Judy

Lyn & Greg

Rod & Penny

Last year Ball Index Next year
Created 14 April 2007 : Last updated 05 July 2010.