SPEEWA COUNTRY SQUARE DANCE CLUB INC

THE BARN - SPEEWA PUNT ROAD _ SPEEWA

Via Swan Hill Victoria

Speewa 2012 Easter Hoedown Rego Form

Inquiries:         Des Devereux   (03) 5037 6307

HISTORY OF THE SPEEWA COUNTRY SQUARE DANCE CLUB INC.

Speewa had its first dance on the l2th July 1967 at the Barn.

We had seventeen sets dancing to a live band with seven callers. Membership for the club sold at 50 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Soft drinks were sold for 5 cents a bottle and local charities received the profit of every dance.

Two inaugural members, Des Devereux and Joy Stevens are still active members to this day. Seven families have been awarded life membership to Speewa these been the Devereux's, the Stevens', Smyth's, Humphries's, Rushton's, Borchard's and Gadsden's.

Our first Easter Holiday Hoedown Weekend was in 1974 at a cost of $5 per person. The Barn was transformed into a caravan park with many people arriving on Thursday and Good Friday with caravans and tents.

Friday night tea was always fish and something, a dance would follow going to all hours of the morning. Saturday was a free day with our members preparing for Saturday night's festivities on the Murray River Bank. Everyone would go to the Pioneer Settlement, board the Pyap Paddle steamer and cruise up the river dancing on the Pyap. On arrival to the festivities site they all were greeted by bonfires and a pig on a spit being cooked on an open fire.

After tea and a sing along it was back to the Barn for the famous hayride. During the hayride around the roads most people would end up with eggs, flour and water all over them. After this they would shower and return to the Barn for another dance till the wee small hours of the morning.

Sunday afternoon would always be a workshop, and then it was time for Sunday night tea followed by a dance. At the conclusion of the dance there would be a country style supper provided.

Peter Humphries has been our caller at our three major functions (held each year) been Easter. Birthday and Christmas and still is till this day. Our club over the years has been like a family celebrating weddings. births and mourning deaths together.

Over the years the Bam has seen some changes with a kitchen and dining room been added but still holds its unique country atmosphere.

After forty years of club activity our club will close with our final birthday and time capsule opening.