Bulletin
TSDAV’s
August 2013
Greetings to all TSDAV members and supporters . . .
This is a short update following our AGM, along with some news of future events.
We look forward to your continuing support at our functions, and wish you ‘Happy Dancing’ wherever it be.
 With the AGM comes the news that 2013/14 ‘memberships are now due’ 
However, subs remain the same as last year : Single $22.- Family $33.- Interstate $15.... ooo OOO ooo ...
Upcoming TSDAV Events -
What’ll I do on Wattle Day ???
Dance at the Eleventh Hour, of course !
“Dancing at The Eleventh Hour” 2-5 pm Sunday 1st Sept, a special Wattle Day workshop
The Eleventh Hour Theatre Hall, cnr Gore & Leicester Sts, Fitzroy.
( just South-West of the Smith St. & Alexandra Pde. (Eastern Fwy) intersection.
All dancers are welcome
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332.
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Wattle Day Celebrations
A day to celebrate all things Australian
Saturday September 7th
at Knaith Rd Reserve, Ringwood East
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for full details - see attached flyers OR the website
http://tsdav.vicnet.net.au/
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Spring Dance Weekend
8th – 10th November 2013
Parks Hall Community Centre, Portarlington
“PRIDE, PREJUDICE AND CONTRADICTION“
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for full details - see attached flyers OR the website
http://tsdav.vicnet.net.au/
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From the AGM . . .
Our new Committee remains largely unchanged, except that both our President and
Secretary have given us notice that this will be their last year serving in those positions.
The new Committee is -
President Bruce McClure 8774 7490
Secretary Heather Larsen 9808 4869
Treasurer Norm Ellis 9888 5332
Marion Stabb (Portarlington w/e) 9439 7100
George Ansell (Dance Comp.) 9890 5650
Margaret Monkhouse (VP)
Judith Baillie
Kathy Cox
The following two reports give a nice summary of our activities this last year.
President’s report to the AGM :
Let me begin by welcoming you today; and to thank the committee for all their support and efforts in a year
of enjoyable dancing and friendships. Special thanks must go to Marion Stabb and Norm Ellis for their great
organising, in making so much happen this past year.
July 28 Old Time Tea Dance
Held at St David’s Church Brunswick West, with again the Gay Charmers and joined by Margaret Hogan and
Greg O’Leary. Although numbers are down, we still enjoyed a great day, with our M.C.’s Carol Rowe and Robin
Simpson leading and extra calls from Jo White and Michael Treacy. Peter Ellis was sadly missed.
September 1st – Wattle Day at East Ringwood
What a great way to enjoy the start of Spring, music and dance at the Saturday morning East Ringwood
market, with families joining in. We continued in the afternoon with two ‘Aussie Dance’ workshops, ‘Music for
Dancing’, a ‘PA for Acoustic Music’, and also a ‘Singing’ workshop. Then to finish off, a family Bush Dance with
Blackberry Jam, M.C.’d by Jane Bullock.
A big thank you goes to Norm Ellis for this great day, and to Jane, Maree, and the class teachers.
November 9TH to 11TH – Spring Dance at Portarlington
This was a very special weekend of dance and music, with wonderful teachers from several States of
Australia. Because Sunday was 11th November, we held a small Service and followed with a class called ‘Celebration
Dances for Remembrance Day’, in respect to the end of that terrible war, with Norm Ellis teaching. The Saturday
dance theme was ‘A Touch of RED – the colour of Romance’, and many took the theme to heart!
After our welcome dance Friday we enjoyed the following Workshops:
Margaret and Bill Winnett - Sydney - IRISH dance - Saturday and Sunday; Claire Stoneman - Canberra - ‘Stoneman
Steps’ AUSTRALIAN dances; Jim Williams - Canberra - BAVARIAN couples dances; Ian Kendall - Melbourne WELSH Dances; Ray and Joan Mundy - Melbourne - MUSIC CLASS of IRISH tunes.
After a very friendly, fun barbecue at camp, it was off to the Saturday Social, which was great fun. Thanks
must go to the girls for decorating the hall and supper displays, and for the supper. We finished with a session of
‘Popular Dances’ from the weekend, and the farewell afternoon tea.
A special thanks not only to the teachers and the musicians, but the great support from all the dancers,
especially those from interstate. Thanks to all the wonderful people who make this event such a success.
December 8th – Christmas Hoedown
To finish the year we had a mix of American, Contra and Colonial dances, with great music from Maggie
Duncan and Friends, along with our guest callers. This was followed by a great festive supper to finish off the year.
March 28th – National Folk Festival – Canberra
The ‘festival of changes’, so that we can save it for the future. At last dance is back in the Coorong, but with
only the Piazza and Central Park Stage to cover the rest of the dance program. For me, I found the festival was very
friendly, but missing something!
AUSSIE BUSH DANCES - OLD AND NEW. This workshop, with Norm Ellis and the Melbourne Band, was
very enjoyable and included dances from Colonial, Bush and Contemporary, collections. And also some from our own
dance competitions. Dancers of all standards enjoyed the lively music and dances.
TSDAV DANCE COMPOSERS’ COMPETITION - Early Monday morning, outside on the Piazza for only 1½
hours, could it work? George Ansell our coordinator, Judges Lynne Stone, Maureen Morris and Bruce McClure, also
our callers, Don Richmond and Paul Wayper were ready. I must say I think we were all overwhelmed by the support
of so many dancers, even too many for some of the dances.
We could only judge seven of the nine dances entered. The winners were, Steve Bullock (Melbourne), with
‘The Can-Can Quadrille’ (easy section), and John Short (Sydney) with ‘Royal Red Cross Quadrille’ (experienced). Once
again all the dances were good fun, so thanks to all you people for making it a great event.
WELL HALL ENGLISH DANCERS DISPLAYS. Thanks to teacher George Ansell, we danced a selection of 17 th
Century to Modern dances. Our three displays were well received by the public.
Website I would also like to record our great indebtedness to David Hunter, for his invaluable assistance in getting
our new website up & running.
In closing, may I thank all the friendly dancers who support all our events, and make it all worthwhile.
Happy dancing - Bruce McClure. 18/8/13.
VDA Report to the AGM :
Under Norm’s guidance, the VDA has continued to operate as a series of open ‘dance workshops’, held
monthly at the Eleventh Hour Theatre hall. We have consistently attracted between 1 and 2 sets.
The principal aim remains the evaluation of suitable dances for TSDAV’s various events.
Once again we sourced dances from Mike Waters, for presentation at Wattle Day, along with some of Val Wilson’s
dances. In preparation for Portarlington, we looked at some “Red” dances, and dances for the ‘Remembrance Day’
workshop. Our NFF workshop: “Aussie Bush Dances - Old & New” allowed us to draw on some of the VDA’s previous
work, as did preparations for July’s Old Time Tea Dance. The NFF workshop was also the basis of Norm’s TSDAV
presentation at this year’s Bundanoon ‘DanceFest’.
My personal thanks once again to all the dancers, who have continued to support these workshops, and in
doing so have helped ensure the success of our TSDAV events.
Norm Ellis. 18/8/13
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Tea Dance Report :
The Old Time Tea Dance, run by the TSDAV and Folk Song and Dance Society, was again held at St David’s
Uniting Church Hall West Brunswick, on the 27th July 2013.
This year the Dance commenced with an afternoon workshop, with Peter Ellis from Bendigo. Peter, as most
of us know, has been a collector and instructor of Traditional and Old Time Social dances and relevant music, since
the late 1970's. We were also lucky to enjoy the music of The Gay Charmers for our Dance workshop. The workshop
encouraged some newer dancers and helped some of us refine our old time technique, in preparation for the evening
dance.
Following some requests, Peter was able to adjust his planned workshop to include the Charmaine and the Tangoette,
giving more confidence to some newer dancers. Peter taught and discussed Waltz styles through the years; the
Circular Waltz, Viennese Waltz, Modern Waltz, Valeta Waltz and Destiny Waltz. He then demonstrated the Fox
Trot and Varsovienna. It was a great afternoon, with 4 sets participating for the Quadrilles taught by Norm Ellis.
Norm taught The Sarabande Waltz Cotillion, the Marine 4 Step, and several figures of The San Toys Quadrille, which
was originally collected by Peter Ellis. We enjoyed an afternoon tea and then continued on to the Tea Dance proper,
from 4.30 - 9.30 pm.
What a wonderful evening dancing to the music of The Gay Charmers Band; the band has celebrated its 50th
year playing for dances in their district of Lake Charm. Harry Gardner joined them for the evening dance. The
programme was enjoyable, and those dances not often danced in Melbourne, worked well and added new variety to
our usual programme. Carol Rowe and Robin Simpson as MC shared half the programme each and added to the
enjoyable atmosphere. The Grand March was led off by George and Lyn Ansell in their Edwardian splendour, and we
were led into the Metropolitan Quadrille. The country style ‘Tea Time’ was a feast, and lots of social chatter was
heard. It was great to catch up with some Bendigo friends.
With time to spare at the completion of the programme, Peter taught us the "Swedish Country Dance". It was
nice to dance it again after many years; I remember dancing it with Shirley Andrews and Lucy Stockdale in the early
VDA days.
Marion Stabb. 2/8/13
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Something new for the 2014 New Dance Competition
As the “Featured State” for next year’s NFF is to be Western Australia, we have decided to
encourage entries that have a connection (in name or otherwise) with the West!
New entries are to be sent to [email protected] or c/- 62 Wellman St. Box Hill South,
Victoria, 3128. Entries will close in the New Year. Please watch the web-site for further details
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For Your Diary –
“Dancing at The Eleventh Hour”
an occasional series of Dance Workshops
We meet at : The Eleventh Hour Theatre Hall, cnr Gore & Leicester Sts, Fitzroy.
( just South-West of the Smith St. & Alexandra Pde. (Eastern Fwy) intersection.
Remaining dates for 2013: 1st Sept, 6th Oct, 3rd Nov, & 1st Dec.
@ 2pm – 5 pm
All dancers are welcome
Inquiries: Norm Ellis 9888 5332.
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End of the year Social
Sat. 14th December. 2013
a fun night of dancing for all!
And once again we present our legendary Christmas Hoedown !
a classic mix of American, Contra & Colonial.
Dancing from 8 to 11,
followed by Supper!
Ashburton Uniting Church Hall, 3 Ashburn Grv. Ashburton.
Member’s discounts apply at our events.
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Attachments “ Wattle Day -Day of Dance “
Melways 60 D 10
Other Dancing Events of interest . . .
The 18th Annual ‘Dinki Di’ Old Time Ball
Saturday 28th September 2013
Eaglehawk Town Hall, Bendigo, Victoria
7pm until late
http://bendigobushdance.org.au/ or email: [email protected]
The VFMC’s ‘Dancers Dance’ will be on Saturday 12th Oct, 2013 8 - 11 pm
Ashburton Uniting Church Hall, Ashburn Grove, Ashburton.
featuring “Clandestiny”
All welcome for an evening of great dancing.
[email protected] or www.vfmc.org.au
There is now a regular Contra Dance in Northcote,
on the last Sunday of the month.
7:30 – 10:15pm
Next dance - Sunday 25th Aug, with Appalachian Heaven,
29th Sept, 27th Oct, & 24th Nov.
@ Uniting Church Hall, 251 High St. Northcote.
www.facebook.com/Contradition
VFMC’s Ringwood ‘1st Saturday’ Bush Dance
“Wattle Day” special - 7th Sept, 8 -11pm, with Blackberry Jam
5th Oct, 2nd Nov, & 7th Dec.
East Ringwood Elderly Citizens Hall, Laurence Grove, East Ringwood
www.vfmc.org.au
English Country Dancing
“from Playford to the present”
1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Tuesdays, 8 - 10pm
@ Bennettswood Neighbourhood House, 7 Greenwood St, Burwood
for more info, contact George Ansell, 9890 5650 or [email protected]
Welsh Dance Classes
Monthly, on selected Sunday afternoons, 2 - 4:30pm
Church of Christ Hall, 1 The Avenue, Surrey Hills
next dates - 22nd Sept, 20th Oct, 17th Nov.
and a combined Irish / Welsh class (E.Ivanhoe) on 15th Sept.
for more info, contact Ian, 9878 2414
The Melbourne Colonial Dancers, at Ashburton
3rd Thursday every month, 7:30 - 10pm
Ashburton Uniting Church Hall, Ashburn Gve,
for more info, contact Coral, 9885 6109
www.melbournecolonialdancers.org.au
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Melbourne Colonial Dancers - Social Dance Classes
every Wednesday, 8 - 10pm
Collingwood Senior Citizens Hall, Eddy Crt, Abbotsford.
www.melbournecolonialdancers.org.au
STOP PRESS -
Irish Set Dance Weekend - enjoy music & dancing.
Nora Stewart and Martin Largey will be the guest Tutors at the inaugural Set Dance weekend,
organised by Comhaltas Melbourne on the 30th August to 1st September.
The Weekend promises to be an amazing and one not to be missed.
Collingwood Masonic Hall, 141 Gipps Street, Collingwood VIC
DETAILS from [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]