WHERE WE’VE BEEN AND WHERE WE’RE GOING – AN
OVERVIEW
Author
- Terry Baxter.
In
early 1993, a group of people, some of whom are now life members of the Club,
saw the need for a regular Sunday dance in Brisbane. They met for an impromptu
dance at Woolloongabba and formed what was to become our Club, as it exists
today, the Brisbane Sunday Social Dance Club Inc.
After
that dance at Woolloongabba, the dances were held at the Caledonian Club at
Kangaroo Point from March 1993. Initially held every Sunday, they remained there
until mid 1993, when a change of venue to the Greenslopes Bowls Club was made.
Our 1st
President(1993):
The
first president of our Club, Alan Booker, with advice and support from Don
McQuade and others, oversaw the formation of the Club. He stood down as
President in late 1993 due to his commitment to the World Masters Games.
Our 2nd President(1993-1996):
Our
then Vice President, Carl Blume,
took up the mantle and remained as President, until the end of 1996. His
presidency saw the Club move to the Wellers Hill Bowls Club in 1994, when the
dances were held fortnightly, ( 2nd &
4th Sundays except December – 1st & 3rd
), as it remains today.
Our 3rd President(1997
– 2000):
With
Carl’s retirement from the presidency at the end of 1996, Terry
Baxter was elected President in 1997. His presidency, over the next four (4)
years ( 1997 – 2000 ) saw a number of changes. Competition from other forms of
Sunday entertainment in 1998, necessitated the introduction of the “bring a
plate” supper as a cost cutting measure, to ensure the continued viability of
our Club. Also in 1998, our band of many years,
Ken
and Trev
decided to disband. Our current musician, Walter
Willans, a long time member,
took over and has provided excellent music ever since.
The
inaugural Anzac Remembrance Ball was held in 1999 and continues to be the
highlight of our Club calendar. A weekend away to the Treasure Island Resort for
the Paradise Point dance commenced in 2000 and was enjoyed by many members and
visitors until 2007 when it was discontinued.
Our
4th President(
2001 – 2004 ):
Terry
did not seek re-election at the end of 2000 and John
Mowat was elected President in 2001. His presidency ( 2001 – 2004 ) saw
the consolidation of the Club with the continuation of the established
activities and the introduction of the “practice nights” on the fifth
Sundays occurring during the year. These practice nights were conducted by Dave
and Joy Baddiley who also provided a dance lesson prior to our
fortnightly dances since 1995. The practice nights were discontinued, in mid
2009, because of a change to the minimum hire charge of the venue, making it a
financial drain on the Club.
Our
5th President(2005):
Geoff
Newman
became President in 2005 and continued with the tried and true. Unfortunately, a
substantial increase in rent, in October 2005, placed us in a less than ideal
position.
Our
6th President(2006
- still in office):
Terry
Baxter is
our current President, being re-elected in 2006.
Our
Club has been well served by our resident dance teachers over the years. Dave
and Joy, after serving for fifteen (15) years,
decided to hand the baton to Alan and Lynelle
Armitage in mid 2009.
A
lesson is given prior to each dance with the exception of the Anzac
Ball and the Christmas dance. Three (3)
new dances are taught each year. Each dance is taught over three (3) consecutive
dances to ensure adequate exposure and/or comprehension. At all remaining dances
a dance from our dance pool is revised.
Our
Club has many challenges to face, but with an energetic Management
Committee which is prepared to make decisions for the benefit of the Club as
a whole and with the support of the general membership, our Club will continue
to prosper for many years to come.
-oOo-
