of Western Australia
By Coiln Crompton.
Don Shadforth died in 1966, it was decided to organise a ball in his honour, after the success of this ball the dancers led by Meg Donaldson, Gwen and Rob Whittaker, Fred Notley, decided to promote Square Dancing. We danced in bowling clubs, shopping centres, migrant hostels and a lot of social clubs. This built our numbers, where by 1968 we had some 40 dancers.
White Gum Valley was the only club dancing at this time and they organized all square dancing. It was in 1966 that 6 of our dancers went to Brisbane to enjoy their first National S.D. Convention. They travelled again to Adelaide in 1967. It was in 1968 that we started our pilgrimage to Busselton at Easter, where Les & Connie Johnson had bought a caravan park. This became an annual event. Later it was called the Festival of Square Dancing, then became the State Convention as we know it to-day. It was during the Easter of 68 we spoke about making a bid to host a National S.D. Convention in Perth and we would go to Melbourne in 69 for that purpose. Before we could do this we had to have a State body to affiliate our club. In early April 1969 the White Gum Valley Club elected its first President and Committee. Prior to this they were organised by a committee elected to whatever event happened to be on at any given time. Colin Crompton was elected President; Colleen Crompton, (Turner) Secretary, Bill Higgs Treasurer, Les Johnson Caller. This was an historic occasion because we now had the first club in the revival of Square Dancing. Next we had to have a ruling State Body. In late April 1969 a meeting was called in the White Gum Valley hall of all dancers to elect the executives of the Square Dance Society of W.A. Mr. Fred Notley President, Meg Donaldson Vice President, Jan Lally Secretary, Bill Higgs Treasurer were elected. This was also historic as the Society was revived. Square Dancing was once again a recognised body in Western Australia. This meeting decided to bid for the 12th National Convention to be held in Perth 1971. We subsequently won the bid and for the first time Western Australia hosted a National Convention.
The White Gum Valley Club, was the first to affiliate with the revived Society, at the meeting called to elect the organising committee for the National Convention they were to the fore, in that their members were elected. Fred Notley Convenor, Grace Symes Secretary, Bill Higgs Treasurer, Fred Notley resigned late 1970. Les Johnson, Bill Colley replaced him.
The White Gum Valley Club has always been a strong supporter of the Society. They have always provided people to take office particularly in the early years. They have through promotion helped start a number of clubs. Their dancers always in attendance. Their caller, Les Johnson was the first caller at most of the new clubs during the late 60's and early 70's. He gave great assistance to a lot of country clubs, always prepared to travel anywhere. The club can be justly proud of it's contribution to Square Dancing in the state of Western Australia; the club is unique. They are the oldest club in Western Australia. Don Shadforth was their caller and they have danced at the same venue since their inception. They provided the impetus that gives us Square Dancing as we know it to-day.
The club were the first to introduce Round dancing, with Bill and May Younghusband as teachers. (Fraulein, Rangers Waltz, Kon Tici were among the rounds taught). Later Meg Donaldson took over, the Olive Hastie started the first round dance club to be affiliated with the Society. (The Silver Slipper Round Dance Club). The dance continued until some time in the late 70's, before round dance queing was introduced about 1977.
The White Gum Valley Square Dance Club will be 42 years old on 24th May 2005. All this time they have maintained their friendly atmosphere and are still as strong as they were at their inception. We hope you will all find time to come and help celebrate this great occasion.
We have always been proud of all the people who have contributed to the Club; all the office bearers; callers. We don't have enough space to name all these people , but we thank them most sincerely.
Page updated
29th May 2005