President’s Report

 

December 2024

With the drawing to end of 2024 we remember all the great friendships, Rock’n’Roll dances, Rock’n’Roll festivals, dance classes and local music we have attended this year. If you’re like me, my social calendar has been filled this year with friends and music. With all the Rock’n’Roll in Bendigo and surrounding area Clubs there has never been a shortage of things to do. I’d like to also thank all the other clubs for making us feel welcome at your dances and for supporting our dances as well.

With our AGM held this weekend I can proudly say I’m delighted to accept the role of President again for another year. Over the last 12 months I’ve received so much help from our committee and club members that it has made my role very easy. I cannot thank everyone enough for your efforts in making the Rockin’ 50’s the great club that it is. This definitely includes my daughter Caitlin who has assisted me with the dance classes throughout the year, Gary and Sue who work steadily in the background ensuring everything is organised and running smoothly.

I’d like to personally thank Ray Kelly who is stepping down from the Vice Presidents role after many years. Ray has always been there early at our classes setting up and greeting everyone as they come into coming up with social activity ideas and always ready with a small joke or two.

Our Club will be taking a break over the holidays and will see everyone back on Tuesday 4th February for our meeting and classes start again on Wednesday 5th February.

From everyone at the Rockin’ 50’s we’d like to wish you a very happy and safe Christmas break and see you all on the dance floor very soon.

Tony

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November 2024

With the end of the year looming over us and our calendars filling up quickly, don’t forget to get these important dates locked away.

Saturday 23rd November our Christmas dance featuring Rockin Daddy’s, setup 9.30am, doors open 7.00pm and music starts 7.30pm. We’ve had a great response with ticket sales so don’t leave it to the last minute.

Sunday 8th December, is our Christmas breakup luncheon and AGM meeting, setup is at 10.30am, AGM 11.00am and lunch is at 12.00pm. Make sure your name is on the list for catering purposes and see our newsletter for more details.

We had a great turnout to our annual Golf and Op shop day last weekend. With some terrible and terrific shots being played at the Marong Golf Club, I played sun safe and kept to the other fairways to stay in the shade most of the morning – very smart thinking on my behalf. This was followed by a terrific lunch at the Marong Family Hotel with music by the Rhythm Rockers, a fun day enjoyed by all.

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for dances happening in the area, and remember to support all our fellow clubs and dances, it’s great to see so much happening in the Rock’n’Roll scene.

Tony

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 October 2024

It’s certainly nice to see all our members back again from the winter travels to the warmer climate all safe and sound. A big thankyou to all the members who stepped up and helped with the classes and social nights, including the ones where I was away also.

Our basic classes have started again last week and we are very pleased to see so many smiles from our class members. Members don’t forget our classes will be held at Quarry Hill Golf club for the next two weeks (9 &16th Oct).

We have been very lucky to have the Black Swan hotel in Bendigo putting on live music every Sunday from 2-5pm, this has been very well supported by many members and please keep an eye out to our Facebook Page for upcoming bands over the next few months.

We have a bonfire night and golf / op shop social events coming up so please see our newsletter for details.

Tickets are also on sale for our November dance with Rockin’ Daddy’s on 23rd November. Our next dance in 2025 is on 15th March, if you know of anyone who will need accommodation please book now as Bendigo has a large event on that weekend which will book everything out.

Tony

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  July 2024

With cold and winter months still upon us, it’s very tempting to stay home and not get out. Yours truly has been a little bit quiet on the rock ‘n’ roll scene, although we’ve always found good music locally to keep us dancing.

I’m certainly looking forward to the upcoming dances in the next month locally, so make sure you’ve booked your tickets. Our basic classes are about to start again, so it would be great to see some members come along and support our class, we always have social dancing happening afterwards.

We’ve had great attendance in our intermediate classes, which we’ve just finished, with many people, really enjoying the night in a different style of dancing that we teach. Again, thank you to all the members that have been able to assist with the classes. Your help is been greatly appreciated by myself and Caitlin.

Regards
Tony

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June 2024

As the warm weather starts to slip by and the colder months come in it’s great to see local dances and music still strive. Our intermediate classes have kicked off again with a great group of people eager to learn, and our next basic classes booked for 10th July.

Over the next few months some of our members head away to the warmer states so if anyone is free on class nights come on down, we will still be at the Bendigo Club enjoying the music, dancing and a coffee.

Our birthday dance was a great success with the Moondoggies playing all night, thanks to all our members who helped out on the night. Congratulations to our members on reaching milestones – Julie, Jenny and Ruth so many memories and future memories to come.

Members don’t forget out meetings are being held on the first Wednesday now at 7.00pm prior to our dance classes. Memberships are now also due.

Again plenty of music has been happening locally, JHR held they’re dance with Aaron Schembri and Rosie Conforto filling the Strathdale Hall with great music. Shepparton held a great dance with Memory Lane, with again great reports coming back.

Keep an eye out on the Facebook pages and local venues for upcoming dances in the area.

Be safe and see you all on the dance floor soon.
Regards
Tony

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May 2024

With the upcoming change in weather and the change in daylight savings it’s so easy to stay home, only to find out you have missed out on great times. So don’t miss out and keep your calendars full, it’s great to hear of dance floors full, everyone enjoying themselves, and all our Clubs promoting Rock ‘n’ Roll.
We’re well into our next round of basic dance classes and thankyou everyone who helps out, it’s great to include our students and show our social side as well as our love for Rock ‘n’ Roll, to make them feel welcome and watch as they improve week after week.
Our upcoming birthday dance will be held on Saturday the 18th May at Huntly hall so keep an eye out for the flyers. Bookings essential and please bring a plate of supper to share. Doors open 7.00pm and music starts 7.30pm.
Setup will be 10.00am Saturday morning and we would appreciate some extra help.
Rockin’ 50’s membership renewals are also due so please check the newsletter for more details.
So I hope to see everyone this coming weekend at our Birthday dance.
Regards
Tony

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April 2024

I can’t believe it’s already April, where has the time gone. The best thing is when you look back at your calendar and photos you realise how many dances you’ve attended and all the great friends you met as you go along.

This month we held our March dance featuring two bands, Scotty Baker Band and Slim Gritty band. What a great night it was as it’s been a long time since we have had two bands playing, both bands kept the dance floor filled with terrific music. A big thankyou to our members who helped out in all parts, these dances don’t just happen without your help

Our next birthday dance is coming up on the 18th May featuring The Moondoggies, this year it will be held at Huntly Memorial Hall, please bring a plate of supper to share.

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Easter, so many friends and music, I was lucky enough to spend it with family and friends in Bendigo at the Bull street music festival, two days of great music to add to all the Easter fair activities.

Our basic dance classes start again on 24th April, so if you’re feeling the need to dance remember the dance floor is open after our classes finish.

Your President

Tony

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March 2024

With the end of our first round of basic classes it’s been great to watch our students grow in confidence, seeing them go from this look of confusion to gaining the confidence to step out on the dance floor on their own. This week we start our intermediate classes, if you would like to brush up on your moves come along and join in.

I hope everyone has their tickets for our dance this coming weekend the 16th March, please don’t expect there will be tickets available at the door, ticket sales are going very strong so contact our ticket officer to get your seat booked. With two great bands playing it’s going to be a top night. Setup is 9.30am so many hands make light work.

This last month we have some great dances in Bendigo,  Gary and Maria held a terrific night at Marong with DJ Angelo who kept the floor packed at all times.

Jailhouse Rockers again at Marong filled the hall with the Moonlighters playing, it’s so great that we get such great bands locally. Loraine Taylor’s Myeloma fundraiser certainly provided a full day of entertainment, with a well-represented car and bike show seeing many trophies and prizes handed out. Rhythm Rockers provided great music for the night as well as terrific MC work and a mix of line dancing then follow that up with a huge raffle. So in Lorraine’s own words “overwhelmed support” was certainly evident in a huge amount being raised.

Keep an eye out on our Facebook page for any upcoming dances in the local area and see you soon on the dance floor.

Yours,

The Prez Tony

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February 2024

I’d like to welcome everyone back again to another great year of Rock’n’Roll, it’s so nice to see everyone again and catch up on the break we all have had. Many of us have caught up over the break – whether it’s social or out at music and dance, as they say you can’t go anywhere without knowing someone.

Looking back on some great dances we have had over the New Year’s    period:

  • A group of us travelled down to Maribyrnong just before Christmas to see Fender Benders play they’re last jig. What a great night- the floor always packed and Adrian working the crowd to keep things going.
  • Pyalong dance with Kid James Trio – on all reports it was an absolute Rocker way to bring in the New Year, many stayed the night with the caravans which made for an a great way to bring in the New Year.
  • Bagshot Hall committee again ran a great dance featuring the Moondoggies – for a small community they certainly know how to bring it to town – and the supper “superb”.

It would not surprise anyone that I’ve tried to squeeze as much music as I can into the Christmas period, our group always around the Bendigo area checking out different music scenes. Local artists and venues always putting on a good day, whether it’s under a shady tree and outdoor music or inside with a dinner and show- there is never any shortage.

Our club classes have started again, offering basic beginners and intermediate classes, Wednesday night at the Bendigo Club.

Our club dance is coming up on the 16th March featuring two great bands Scotty Baker Band and Slim Gritty Band, members please remember club member prices for tickets – this dance is promising to be a sell out so get your tickets now.

Please keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the great dances coming up in our area.

Tony

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