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
***********************************
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
***********************************
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
***********************************
December 2023
I’d like to thank everyone for such a great honour to be President of our wonderful club for 2023. The hard work and dedication of our committee and members stands out, everyone never hesitates to help out when needed.
Thankyou for last year’s Present Bill Oldham and the First Lady Maree for your continued support and guidance throughout the year. To the outgoing committee a huge personal thankyou to you all. Vice Presidents Les and Ray, for all your assistance with the music at our dances and managing and greeting members at our classes. Secretary Gary who always seems to have everything organised and working smoothly. Treasurer Suzi, in all my years I’ve never known our books to balance and everything so easy to understand in your reports. Committee assistant and dance ticket organiser Gordon, these roles are never an easy one. Social media Kayla, with our Facebook pages always bringing in new enquires and keeping everyone up-to date
For 2023 it’s been so great to see our dance classes continuing all year long, a huge thank you to Caitlin, Gary and Marg for your assistance in making these such an enjoyable time for our participants. These classes have always lead to new friends and members which is great to see. Anne Williams, throughout the year you have provided us with great raffles and items to sell, thankyou as this makes our classes so much more enjoyable.
Over the year we have had so many dances and amazing bands play in Bendigo and with the surrounding clubs, if you say nothing ever happens means you’re not looking. It is so great to see all our clubs supporting each other too, I’ve always felt welcome at your dances and I hope you feel the same when you come to ours. We’ve attended our own dances and birthday dances, to fundraiser dances, other club dances and the local venue’s putting on great bands as well, let’s hope everyone can get out in 2024 and keep enjoying.
As my final farewell as President for 2023 thank you everyone for your continued encouragement, support and help – it is what make the Rockin’ 50’s the best club to be in.
Tony
******************************************
November 2023
With Christmas just around the corner and our lives get busier our members wish everyone a safe lead up to this festive season. We are certainly looking forward to our Christmas dance this coming weekend, it will be great to have the Rockin’ Daddy’s back in Bendigo and playing for us again. Remember to bring along some Christmas cheer to brighten up your tables.
Our Christmas breakup will be in again on Sunday 10th December at the Roy Bateson tennis centre in Eaglehawk, so please ensure your name is on the list for catering purposes. Our AGM and December meeting will also be held on this day.
We have started our last intermediate classes for the year, it’s great to see the huge improvement in the class participants as they have come through from our beginner classes. Thankyou for all our members who attend and make everyone feel welcome and of course Ann with our raffle which is always fun.
Keep an eye out on our Facebook pages for all the upcoming dances in the area, it’s great to see so much Rock ‘n’ Roll around the area.
Tony
******************************************
October 2023
Greetings All,
Looking back over the month of September I’d like to thank all the members who came over to the Holy Trinity hall for the social nights while our usual venue was unavailable. For those that were unable to attend you missed out on great music, dancing and even supper which I must thank all those that contributed.
I had the privilege to the Capital Theatre in Bendigo to watch Elvis in America Trilogy – our group loved the show, the lead artists and the whole production were exceptional. The show was based on different stages in Elvis’s life with Brody Finlay bringing raw energy to the stage with his dance moves and singing for the first part of the show. Steve Michaels was magnificent to listen to and certainly looks the part with the leathers and jumpsuits. We certainly are thankful to The Capital Theatre that certainly manages to get the best artists and shows brought to Bendigo.
A huge thank you for Glenn and Shelley for the Charity dance they held at Marong Hall. Aaron Schembri and Rosie Conforto brought an amazing style of music using different songs to a great rock ‘n’ roll beat. Congratulations on a great night with all profits going to Olivia’s Wellness Centre at the Austin Hospital.
Our basic dance classes have started again, already a great turnout for our last basic class for the year. I hope I see everyone drop into the Bendigo Club for a dance and social catchup.
Our 16th November dance with Rockin’ Daddys is just around the corner, we have good ticket sales already so if you want to attend get your tickets early.
Tony
******************************************
September 2023
Greetings All,
With the summer months just around the corner I’ve been so privileged to have had so many great opportunities to get out and see live music and enjoy great friends. We’ve seen a great group of people progress through our basic dance class and who are now enjoying our social nights and seeing how good the Rock’n’Roll is around our area.
With a slight break in our dance classes we are currently firming up our line-up for the rest of the year so stay tuned for any updates.
With our upcoming dance in November make sure you get your tickets early as it’s going to sell out.
Speaking about getting tickets early, every club reports the same. The call for last minute tickets and the let down when you can’t always get a seat. So please get your tickets early
Our members had great reports from the Barham Rock’n’Roll festival, everyone had a great time, and from the photos the dance floors were packed.
Congratulations on Jail House Rockers for two great dances, the decorations and set looked amazing.
Tony
******************************************
June 2023
As I sit here again with a glass of wine listening to live music I’m amazed by how many great dances we have happening around our area, and our 35th year birthday dance was the best yet. Such a great night at the Marong Hall with Slim Gritty keeping the dance floor full, the music flowed and the shoes keep tapping. A huge thankyou to all our members for their assistance from setup, photos at the front door, the terrific help in the kitchen with the food, to helping at the end of night with the clean-up.
It was a great pleasure to present Ann Williams with our Club Person of the Year award, Anne’s continual efforts with organising all the raffle prizes at our Club dances, raffles and supplying us with chocolate, to assisting and running dance classes. An award truly earned.
Many of our members enjoyed a terrific bonfire night at Bill and Maree’s. It’s reported the local fire brigade were on standby but never called.
A huge thanks for Gary and Marg currently running our Intermediate Classes, it’s great seeing everyone enjoying themselves. Our next basic class starts on Wednesday 5th July.
Tony
******************************************
May 2023
I must say how good it is to see so many learners and members at our basic dance classes, it’s very encouraging to see them progress through. Thankyou also to the members for all your assistance, from the door, to raffles, packing up and to assisting with classes.
Again a few of us travelled over to Shiraz Republic to watch Kid James Trio, such an amazing group and you can’t help get up and dance.
Upcoming we have a bonfire night Friday 12th May, please check the newsletter for details.
Also membership is now due.
Our 35th birthday dance is just around the corner on Saturday 27th May, please ensure your names are on the list. It will be an amazing night with Slim Gritty and DJ Phantom playing, I know some are already working on their fancy dress themes too.
Tony.
******************************************