Scots of Victoria

Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association

Member Society Name: A.B.N. No. State: Country:              Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association 22537 700679 Victoria Australia
President Allan Mclaren
Secretary Morag Bouch
ContactDetails: Suburb:                           Postcode:                Phone: 15 Argyle Street Bentleigh East                                                                                                                                 3165 (03)  9579 0936
Email: Morag
Office Bearers: Rhonda Watson – Vice-President Morag Bouch  – , N. Kennedy –  Treasurer K. Thomas –  Assistant Treasurer.
Objects: To maintain and promote Scottish Highland Dancing as danced in Scotland and throughout the world providing conpetitions, displays, classes, and examinations.
Short History The Association celebrated FIFTY years of Scottish Official Board Highland Dancing in conjunction with their Australian Commonwealth Championships, at Ringwood Highland Games on 28th March 2005Many meetings were held from March 1954 concerning Scottish Official Board Highland Dancing, culminating in the Inaugural Meeting of the VSDA on 31st July 1954 when the Association’s application for affiliation with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, Edinburgh was drafted. Minutes from this meeting acknowledge that Mrs. Tassie Green was instrumental in laying the foundation of the Association.On 25/26 August 1954, Mr. Harry Fairly representing SOBHD visited from Scotland. He came to promote the technique and dress worn – and showed films of same in Melbourne and Ballarat.At the meeting of the SOBHD, Edinburgh on 3rd October 1954, the VSDA’s application for affiliation was presented and unanimously granted.Monthly competitions were planned, as were examinations for adjudicators, teachers, and dancers. In 1954, the Association accepted a platform at Daylesford Highland Gathering and in 1958 on New Years Day at the Maryborough Highland Gathering. These competitions are still held and on the 28th March 2004, we celebrated fifty years of being associated with the SOBHD, with the holding of the Forty-fourth Australian Commonwealth Championships at Ringwood Highland Games.On 5th August 1959, Mrs Norma Burnett became Secretary of the VSDA.In November 1959 correspondence was received from SOBHD Edinburgh, re the formation of an Australian Body and on 27th April 1960, the VSDA was advised to form a Victorian Body. As one Association could not be recognized as the Victorian Body,teachers with their classes were encouraged to break away from the VSDA and form their own Associations. A notice was placed in the Press encouraging interested persons to reply so that a Victorian Body could be formed. The Body formed is now the Victorian State Committee of Highland Dancing Inc.The VSDA commenced the formulation of Medal Tests in Victoria – implemented from 22nd June 1961 which continue to be held.In February 1998, the Victorian Scottish Dancing Association became soley an Examining Body comprising technical members – adjudicators and teachers, with the adoption of a new title for the remaining members = the Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association.The Association continues to strongly promote highland dancing throughout Victoria with our Membership strong in both metropolitan and country areas.
Meetings Monthly at 9 Reuben Court, Blackburn South, 3130
200- Calendar
DATE TIME LOCATION EVENT
1.1.08 11.30am-5.00pm Princes Park, Maryborough Maryborough Highland Gathering
9.2.08 11.00am-3.00pm Tyrendarra Recreation Reserve Tyrendarra P.& A.Show
23.2.08 11.00am-3.00pm Edgar Street, Heywood Wood,Wine, & Roses Festival
30.3.08 8.30am-5.00pm Jubilee Park, Ringwood Ringwood Highland Games
3.5.08 10.00am-5.00pm Glen Iris Challenge Competition
15.6.08 10.00am-5.00pm Glen Iris Traditional Dance Festival
2.8.08 9.30am-5.00pm Deepdene Festival of Dance
13.9.08 10.00am-5.00pm Deepdene Encouragement Competition
26.10.08 11.00am-4.00pm Warrnambool Showgrounds Warrnambool P. & A. Society Show
1.11.08 9.30am-5.00pm Whittlesea Showgrounds Whittlesea P. & A. Society Show
9.11.08 10.00am-5.00pm Ballarat Showgrounds Ballarat P. & A. Society Show
16.11.08 10.00am-5.00pm Lilydale Showgrounds Lilydale P. & A. Society Show
6.12.08 10.00am-5.00pm Victoria Park, Daylesford Daylesford Highland Gathering
Functions Socials, ? Competitions, ? Championships, Co-ordinate Teachers and Highland Dancing classes.
Affiliations Victorian State Committee of Highland Dancing Inc. Australian Board of Highland Dancing Inc, Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing (Edinburgh). Victorian Scottish Dancing Association Examining Body.
Established: 1954 Melbourne