At the 51st National Convention, Graham’s 25 years of club calling was recognised by the Australian Callers Federation (ACF) in the form of a “Silver Microphone Award”. A certificate and lapel pin mark 25 years of service to the “trade” and this was presented on the Saturday night of the Convention by the ACF Chairman at tthe time – Jeff van Sambeek.

In this same year, Callerlab, the international association of square dance callers awarded Graham the “Quarter Century Club” award for those 25 years of service.

Makes one feel a little old don’t it?

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Our club was represented at the 51st National Square Dance Convention in Wodonga Victoria by this fine group of members.

Big thanks to Eddie and Rosalie, Pat and Dennis, Karen and Murray and Barry and Margaret for taking part in the Dressed Sets Parade. You did us proud!

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We were thrilled to welcome a lovely couple from Nagoya in Japan – Kiichi and Ryoko Hayashi. They joined us at the Plus and Mainstream clubs and endeared themselves to everyone. We took the opportunity to show them around some of our native fauna on a weekend with a visit to Cleland National Park. We followed that with a dinner at Ned Kelly’s Retreat restaurant. For some reason, Ryoko was quite reluctant to eat something she had only just patted earlier in the day! Steaks were a must though and a welcome change from the fish and rice dishes they are used to. They had a wonderful time and were very charming. When we found out Kiichi also called, Graham put him on stage and he delivered a stirring hoedown. It’s always a great reminder of how universal square dancing is and borders just disappear. We wish them well on their remaining travels around Australia.

We will be closed on Mon June 14th due to the National Square Dance Convention in Wodonga. Miss us? Back on the Wed 16th May for Plus and the Mon 21st for Mainstream.

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What an entertaining night it was! Eight brave souls put some time and all their inhibitions aside to perform for us on this Mother’s Day Adelaide Idol night. From singers to dancers and poets they gave us their best between brackets. Why even young Barry Kemp gave us a call.

Thankyou so much to our performers. You were great!

We also welcomed four visitors from WA and Doona from Victoria. It was a full on night topped off with the chocolate themed supper. A big thanks to those volunteers who helped set up the hall for us too!

Anita and Barry

Sadly we have lost one of our dedicated club members and a good friend to many. Anita passed away on April 7th and we pay tribute to a lovely lady, mother and wife. We will miss you Anita and all those things you did for us at the club. She never wanted any recognition or thankyous for what she did – she just enjoyed helping out.  A great asset to our committee and one who endeared herself to all who met her.

The funeral was lovely and was a “standing room only” event – a testament to her far reaching influence. You can read a little more in the tribute in the  on-line Square Dancing magazine here.

Rest in peace Anita – you will always be with us.

Christchurch Organising committee with Graham & Dawn

Graham has been invited to call for the Christchurch square dancers in New Zealand so the Clubs will therefore be closed as follows:

Monday MS

Mon 5 April (Easter Monday) and Mon 12th April

Wednesday Plus

Wed 7 April and Wed 14 April (normal 2nd Wed closing).

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A fantastic night of fun, food and great people! We celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a spud feast to start the night. Our spud caterers did a great job in feeding the five thousand (well it seemed like it!).

Most dressed in green and with Irish music between brackets and jigs for Round Ups it all added to a great atmosphere. Thanks to our committee and helpers who came in early to decorate the hall and clean up afterwards. It was all grand – indeed it was.

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As is our custom, our Valentine night was also a fund raiser. This year the vote was for the Beyond Blue initiative - an organisation that assists people with depression. The door takings, raffle and sale of pre-loved square dance clothing raised just over $1,000 for this organisation. The hall looked beautiful with the hearts and cupids. Thanks to all who joined us and dressed to match in the red, whites and pinks. It was a great atmosphere and of course set to music with the “love” theme – romantic and raunchy!

We had the pleasure of welcoming square dancers from Leipzig in Germany – Dietmar, Birgit and their daughter Silvia. Whilst mum and dad spoke only broken English, Silvia acted as interpreter and was amazed by this wonderful thing called square dancing. A wonderful family – so friendly and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We love the fact that this is an international dance form!

]]> http://adelaideoutlaws.com/blogg/1/2010-february-15th-st-valentines-charity-night/feed 0 http://adelaideoutlaws.com/blogg/1/2010-january-24th-demonstration-at-milang http://adelaideoutlaws.com/blogg/1/2010-january-24th-demonstration-at-milang#comments Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:59:51 +0000 graham http://adelaideoutlaws.com/blogg/?p=241

Adelaide Outlaws dancers at the Power of the Past rally - Milang

On Sunday Jan 24th, Graham & Dawn and a set of our dancers gave a demonstration of square dancing at the “Power of the Past” engine and car rally down at Milang on the shores of Lake Alexandrina (about 80km south east of Adelaide).

This rally is an exhibition of old engines, vehicles and memoribilia from the past. a collection of stationary engnes, tractors, vintage and not-so-vintage cars, motor cycles and collectables. We were thrilled to be asked and gave them a couple of brackets of dancing. On a beautiful warm day, dancing on the grass was fun but a little challenging with lumps and bumps. The crowd loved it and we enjoyed the chance to look at all the equipment on display too. Seems we weren’t the oldies after all!! Thanks to our set for coming all the way to do this:

Dawn, Barry, Brian, Mary, Ross, Margaret, John, Zaree, Eddie, Rosalie and Milton.