Jeff was introduced to calling whilst living in Mildura in 1966.
After moving to Adelaide he was helped as a trainee caller by Allan Frost and Colin Huddleston. He proceeded to form his own club, Wild Frontier, which was eventually based at Kensington Park Uniting Church hall. Wild Frontier is 41 years old.
A couple of years later, recognizing a need to have a dance that went beyond the basics he began a Sunday night dance which became Kannella Squares. Kannella Squares is Australia’s oldest Plus Club and is now in its 39th year.
Jeff introduced Round Dancing on the Sunday night dances and in 1977 Jeff and June represented SA by dancing the Round Dance Showcase segment at the Perth National. Jeff again represented SA in the Showcase at the 1982 National in Brisbane.
He has also convened two Australian Nationals and has been involved on committees for several other Australian Nationals held in Adelaide starting with the 1974 National. There came a time when lots of his dancers were about to embark on University study, so Jeff formed, and for a time called for, another Square Dance club called Ausquad; based at Adelaide University.
Jeff attended Caller lab in USA in 1981 and has led several overseas Square Dance tours. He has called not only all over Australia but also all over the world, as part of the trips and at other times as an invited guest or feature caller. Over the years Jeff has conducted callers’ clinics nationally and has presented countless Square Dance demos in various venues.
Jeff worked as a Pathologist and then, until his recent retirement, with IMVS involving investigating mosquitoes. During his career he produced a basic teaching tape for use by the Education Department in schools and he took twelve months leave from work to teach school children and PE teachers.
Jeff was an instrumental and/or founding member of Australian Callers Federation, South Australian Square Dance Society and South Australian Callers Association. He is a Life member of ACF and SASDS and now a Life Patron of Australian National Square Dance Conventions.
Jeff has also taught our callers the art of sight calling including Graham Elliott, James Reid, Adrian Blyth, Geoff Moyle & Peter Heath to name a few. Wild Frontier Square Dance Club Inc assisted in the formation of Adelaide Outlaws and Festival City Squares.
Jeff is married to Susan and their twin boys Christopher and James have recently graduated with great results from Urrbrae High School.
Jeff is the National Conventions Board Liaison for the 56th Australian National Square Dance Convention.