A newspaper clipping in November 1934 gives much detail of an Ambulance Waltzing Competition in Beaudesert. Dancing was such a great social outlet for every district.
In some places you would play tennis all day Saturday, go dancing that night and be home in time to milk the cows next morning.
Each area had their own dance hall with music from a band of self-taught locals for the monthly circuit of dances. Some people still reminisce about dancing on the Crows Ash timber floors and little ones sleeping under the benchseats. Preparation included making the floor smooth but not too slippery to become dangerous using the correct rate of ‘Pop’s floor dressing’. Patrons who may not have enjoyed the dancing aspect got their socialisation by playing cards like Euchre.
Primary school students learned dancing steps, including Pride of Erin, Gypsy tap and the Barn dance in preparation for Fancy Dress Events held in the Shire Hall. Over the years many special interest, service, and sporting clubs such as Rural Youth, and Rotary used annual dances as fund raisers. Show Societies, Ambulance and Churches (with their Debutante Balls) also staged many successful dances that were so well attended – remember ‘sittings for supper’!
