Dancing has always been part of Marilyn's life and a Square and Round Dancer for nearly 30 years. She has been a Convenor for two past WA State Conventions and the Registration Officer for the first Darwin Convention in 2011.
Married to Jeff, a Square Dance Caller, Marilyn is a proud member of Dianella Rangers SDC in Western Australia. Marilyn is a true sanguine, who would love to welcome you in Darwin in 2024.
Marilyn’s passion for square dancing has been the driving force behind Darwin 2021 which was sadly postponed due to Covid, and has now continued with preparing for the 64th Australian National Square Dance Convention 2024. Hence our new theme: Dream Once More. Her dream has been to bring another square dance convention to Darwin, Australia and to have as many Aussies and overseas dancers as possible attend to create and live their own dreams in Darwin in 2024. Click here to email.
I have been involved in square dancing since I was in my teens, learning with one of the best teachers in Melbourne – Jack Murphy.
My first experience of working on the committee of a National was with the Darwin Convention in 2011. The unique challenge for that convention was liaising with committee members from all States.
I had such a great time working with that committee that I didn’t want to
pass up an opportunity to do it all over again, with a different committee and much better technology which will make communication so much easier! Click here to email.
Don Barba, from Western Australia, is the publicity officer for the 64th Australian National Square Dance Convention.
Don has been dancing for the past 9 years and belongs to a number of clubs in WA including Swan Valley, Greenfinches and Kiwilers.
Dancing has given Don the opportunity of meeting some very special people in both his home state, in Melbourne and overseas. A recent retiree from education, Don is married to his sunshine Sharon, an inspiring writer.
Besides dancing Don loves to travel overseas, follow the Eagles and spend time in Melbourne together with Sharon and their two grandchildren. This is Don's first venture in being involved in a national convention. Click here to email.
Barry began square dancing in the mid 1970’s and has been a dedicated and hard working dancer ever since, having held a number of executive positions in various square dance organisations.
Barry has held executive positions of the local club, state convention committees, Tas Callers Assoc. and the State Society. Furthermore he has contributed to the National Square Dance Society serving two terms as President and a number of years as State delegate.
Barry has an extensive experience with National Conventions with attendance at over 35 along and being a member of 9 National Committees (5 as Convenor or Co-Convenor) and served as the Chairman of the Australian National Square Dance Convention Board for 16 years.
Barry together with his wife Kaye (who will act as registrar) have represented Tasmanian in a number of Show Case rounds including the first one won by Tasmania in Perth in 1978, been honored by the Tasmania Square Dance Society Inc. with Life Membership in 1993. Barry has also been further privileged being one of the first two from Tasmania being added to the National Roll of Honor by the National Square Dance Society in 2002 and being made a Life Patron for National Square Dance Conventions in 2005.
Barry goes about his duties in a quiet and unassuming manner and when looking at the impressive list of accomplishments could be well described as a "quiet achiever". With a background in Management & a qualified accountant you can be sure that he will ensure that all the financial aspects of the convention will be attended to in a professional manner. Click here to email.
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Mike Davey has been a square dance caller and teacher for more than 43 years. In that time, he has run 4 clubs at mainstream and plus level.
Mike is currently secretary of the Victorian Callers' Association and a member of the Australian Callers' Federation.
He has programmed many Victorian State Conventions, two National Conventions and he was Convenor for the Bendigo National in 2017.
Mike has travelled across Australia, New Zealand and Japan calling for festivals and special events. He is looking forward to working with Jeff Van Sambeeck on another Darwin National in 2024 as they do the program together. Click here to email.
Jeff started square dancing in 1976 and calling in 1977. Since that time, he has called all levels from basic to A2 over a 45-year career.
Jeff has also choreographed major floorshows for the Nationals in Sydney 1988, Perth 1993 and Perth 2002.Jeff has run and programmed five State conventions and one National convention with Mike Davey in 2011. The two will be reunited in Darwin 2024.
Among his many contributions to square dancing, Jeff has also been a board member of the ACF and five years as its Chairman.
Darwin 2024 will be Jeff’s last major event and he is looking forward to once again working with Mike in programming the 64th Australian National Square Dance Convention. Click here to email.
Chris and Celia have been square dancing for over 35 years, through which they met and eventually married in 1992. They have been on 2 Perth National convention committees as Venue, Decorations, Hospitality etc. Celia is State and National Secretary and Chris, as Member Services Officer, has organised many State Conventions and events for WA.
They have danced in several countries and organised tours for dancers to attend many Australian National Conventions including over 53 dancers to perform square dancing and tour in China for the Beijing Dept. of Tourism. Click here to email.
I began square dancing at Westgate Square Dance club in October 1979 at the insistence of my wife Brenda. I really wasn't keen to try square dancing but Brenda can be very persuasive when she wants to be. After my first night of dancing I was hooked, not sure if it was the dancing or the fact that I won a block of chocolate in the Monte Carlo that convinced me. By April 1981 I had become a trainee caller with Frank Kennedy and in July 1982 Brenda and I began Crossroad Squares in Werribee. In 1990 Brenda & I opened Southern Cross Plus and in 1998 we opened Southern
Cross A, all three clubs are still running. I have attended 38 National Conventions and called at 37. I have served on 7 National Convention Committees. In 1987 I was Publicity Officer, 1991 Venue Manager, 2000 Program Manager, 2005 Convenor, 2010 Board Liaison, 2017 Co Program Manager and I was recently on the Committee of 62nd National Convention in Goulburn in the role of Program Manager and I am pleased to be Board Liaison for the 2024 Darwin Convention.
I have held the positions of President of the Victorian Callers Association (VCA) & Australian Callers Federation (ACF), Treasurer of VCA & ACF, ACF Callerlink Editor and ACF State Coordinator. I am currently the VCA Treasurer and the ACF Vice Chairman. I am a member of Callerlab. I have received a Life Membership from VCA, Roll of Honour from National Society of Australia and a Life Membership of South Australian Square Dance Society.
When I am not square dancing Brenda & I spend a lot of time with our two daughters Meagan & Rachel and the loves of our life, our grandchildren Logan, Ruby, Stella, Charlotte and Hugh. We also really enjoy travelling with our Travel Buddies Mike & Lorraine. In October 2014 I retired from work and continue to travel and tick things off the “bucket list”. Click here to email.