56th Australian National Square Dance Convention

Born in Hull England 8^th November 1961.   Moved to Australia 25^th May 1965.

While I was at Zillmere State School in the late 60’s, I was first introduced to Square Dancing as a compulsory part of the curriculum. It was while at Pine Rivers High School in 1976, I went to my first real Square Dance with a live caller. It was here I became hooked. The club was “Pine Rangers” run by Alan Leighton and his wife Jenny. Alan’s brother Sid is still calling at “Wavell Whirlaways”. I entered and won the club’s Amateur Callers contest in 1977, this contest was judged by legendary Queensland caller Eric Wendell.

In 1978, I joined the Royal Australian Navy and was immediately sent to junior recruit training in Western Australia. I danced most Saturday nights that year at a club called “White Gum Valley” in Fremantle. After this I had a long break from square dancing.

After my naval career was over, in 1993, I started square dancing again at “Caboolture E.Z. Squares”. By the end of that year, I did my first (very bad) singing call. During 1994, I called anywhere that anyone would let me, still not sure whether I wanted to be a “proper” caller. I started my first teaching class for “Caboolture E.Z. Squares” in early 1995. I’m still calling there now.

In 2001, “Rock ‘n’ Roll Squares” at Bald Hills came into being, this club continued for 4 years on the 2^nd Friday of every Month.  During 2003 I was asked to be the club caller for a new club at Geebung. “Northside Promenaders” started in early 2004 and is still going strong today. This club moved to Zillmere in 2013 and kept the same name.

I have called At 10 Australian National Conventions - 1999, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013 & 2014.

I was the Assistant Venue Manager at the ANSDC Caloundra 2003, I was also the Program Manager at the ANSDC Brisbane 2008. I’ve called at most Queensland State Conventions since 1995. I was Sound Manager at 3 of them.

I’ve been a member of the Queensland Callers Association since 1994; I was Vice President in 1999 thru 2000 and again from 2002 thru 2003 and again from 2012 to present. I was also President of the Association again in 2009 and 2010. I have been a QCA Assistant Caller Training Officer since 2009. I’ve been a Member of The Australian Callers Federation since 1994 and I’ve been an ACF board member since 2011. I’ve also been the ACF State Co-ordinator for Queensland since 2011. I’ve been a Callerlab Member since 2007. I am also a member of the Callerlab Mainstream Committee.

I have attended numerous Caller Training sessions. I have attended most QCA training sessions since 1994 and have been involved in presenting QCA caller training sessions since 2004. I have also presented 3 caller training sessions in Cardwell, North Queensland. I have attended 5 Brian Hotchkies 5-day callers schools (2003, 2006, 2009, 2010 & 2013) and helped with a Sight Resolution presentation at the latest.

I have been privileged to be invited to call for the following clubs:-

Summerland Larrikins - Lismore
Logan City Square Dancers Inc. - Logan City
Hervey Bay Dancers - Hervey Bay
Heritage City Hoedowners - Maryborough
Happy Hoedowners - Gladstone
Rocky Twirlers - Rockhampton
Salad Bowl Squares – Brisbane
Gumdale Grand Sliders  - Brisbane
Uniting Squares - Brisbane
Upbeat Chaos - Deception Bay

I was the first caller in Queensland to use CD’s as my principal music player and in June 2004, I was the first Queensland caller (as far as I am aware) to switch completely digital and use a laptop computer as my music player. I am also the pioneer in Australia, of using a USB hub for callers to present their music at combined functions.

I started square dancing in 1968, at a very tender age, with Eric Wendell’s Wheeling 8’s, where I danced for over 10 years. 

I moved away from Brisbane in 1980 and lost touch with square dancing for nearly 30 years.  During my hiatus from square dancing I was heavily involved in singing in old-time dance, country music and rock ‘n’ roll bands. 

When I married my husband Rob, I thought: “what a great opportunity to return to square dancing”; so I dragged him (kicking and screaming) to EZ Squares in Caboolture, where he soon learned to love it as much as I do.  

Glenn Wilson suggested I enter the Callers Competition in 2010 and after winning that I decided to turn my attention to learning the art of calling, which I soon realised wasn’t as easy as just singing a song, far from it.  

I have been blessed with some excellent mentors, here in Queensland, who have all been very willing to help me along my journey.

Last year I attended Brian Hotchkies’ 5-day callers school which, to me, was a window into another dimension (I’m still trying to get in the door). 

At Present I run a workshop group every fortnight where I mainly hoedown basic, mainstream and plus with the occasional singing call to give the dancers a rest.  

I do guest calls at EZ Squares (Caboolture), Lighthouse Squares (Caloundra), Bribie Island Squares (Bribie Island), Northside Promenaders (Zillmere) and Suncoasters (Buderim) on a regular basis.  I have done a full night as guest caller at Logan City Square Dancers on two occasions and called at 4 QCA Gala Dances and 3 Qld State Conventions .

I was an avid horse rider and I still keep my hand in but these days I pat more than ride, we’re both getting old.

I love everything about Square Dancing (especially the suppers) and I dance 4 to 6 times a week.  I also play guitar and keyboard and sometimes create my own square dance backing tracks.  I am a member of the Qld Callers Association and Australian Callers Federation.