Notes from under the Bed: Rowan's Recollections of the Colonial Dancers

This paper is a personal 'oral history' of events andpeople involved in starting what is now formally known as 'TheMelbourne Colonial Dancers Inc.' and was prompted by conversations Ihad with members during the recent celebration of their 30thAnniversary. In 1974 the group was known as 'The Colonial Dancers'as similar groups had not yet been started elsewhere in Australia. Many at the celebrations seemed surprised at some of my recollections of how various aspects of traditional social dances in Australia developed so the paper was originally written to both inform these newer members of the group as well as to assist current members plan future developments. Written from the perspective of one who started as a dancer and later became a dance musician and MC-cum-dance caller the paper outlines some social changes which influenced how folk dance and music developed in the 'folk scene' of Melbourne in particular and southeast Australia generally. It describes some examples of 'bush' dances and how their set organisation, music selection and tune arrangements evolved and outlines the connections between particular bands and people central to these contributions. The paper has six main sections; although they are presented in a linearly chronological order, the events described within the sections are presented in sequences which may not be so chronological but which hopefully clarify my views of particular connections, influences or developments.