History of the Rotorua Scottish Country Dance Club

This history is taken from the Minutes, the roll book and dance programmes, with
additional stories from past and present members. The first History of the Club
written by Margaret Johnstone in 1989 was also used.

The 1950's: formation of the Club to the first Ball

February 1956: formation of the Club:
"The first meeting of the Interim Committee of the Rotorua Scottish Dance Club was
held at Mr G Straiton's residence Haupapa St Rotorua on 29th February 1956.

Those present were Mr G Straiton, Miss Nancy and Irene Straiton, Mr and Mrs H
Montague, Mr and Mrs W Renfrew, Miss Margaret Renfrew, Mr J Aitchison, Mr F Venman,
Mr K Geddes, Mr and Mrs L Sherson."

Mr G Straiton was elected as Interim Chairman and Mrs N Sherson as Interim Secretary

A second meeting was held a week later. The Hamilton tutor had donated a Pocket
Edition of dances to start them off, St John's Hall had been booked for a General
Meeting on 15th March, and the Druid's Hall was available on Saturday nights.  A
permanent committee for the next 3 months was elected:
President Mr W Renfrew,
Secretary/Treasurer Mrs N Sherson
Tutor Mr. J Aitchison.

The constitution of the Hamilton club was temporarily adopted.

March 15 1956: First General Meeting:
This meeting approved the printing of 100 Membership Cards. Fees were set at 5
shillings adults, 2 and sixpence children under 14 with nightly fees of 2 shillings
adults and 1 shilling children.
The first dancing evening was set for Saturday 24th March at the Druids Hall, Arawa
Street. Miss Irene Oliver's School of Dancing agreed to lend a gramophone and the
Rotorua Pipe Band was invited. Members were asked to supply the records. The night
was planned to be a learners' night and was advertised in the Daily Post. Further
nights were to be held each Saturday.

June 16 1956: First Dance
The Hamilton Club was invited over to a Dance at St Luke's Hall. They showed films
as well as dancing. Admission was 3 shillings for Gents, 2/6 pence for Ladies. The
club would provide sandwiches and the ladies were "to provide a plate if they so
desire." It is not recorded how successful the evening was, but a few weeks later
the two more committee members were elected to assist the tutor on club nights and
to assist in the running of the social evenings.

October 1956
The Club was invited to Balls at Hamilton and Mangakino. The difficulty of how to
get there was discussed * it was too late to raise funds to charter a bus. The
committee resolved to join the NZ Association of Scottish Country Dance Clubs when
it was formed. Records had been donated by members, and the tutor was able to give
back those on loan. Invitations to an end of year social were sent to Rotorua Pipe
Band, Rotorua Caledonian Society, Hamilton, Whakatane, Tokoroa, Mangakino, and
Cambridge clubs.

The First Annual General Meeting was held at the Ritz Hall Fenton St. on 4th April
1957. The club had started with 14 members and ended the first year with 62
financial members. They had learnt nearly 20 dances.

Tickets for the social and dance evenings were to be printed * 100 per social. Each
evening would require 8 dozen cakes to be purchased and sandwiches would be made. It
is reported that unfortunately the first social did not have enough food! A big
house to house raffle was held to raise funds to hire a bus to go to various
functions. This did not make as much money as hoped but the club was still able to
hire buses and subsidise half the cost. Buses were used to get to functions at
Hamilton, Mangakino, Murupara and even as far as Hastings.

By 1958 Wednesday nights became the regular dancing evening; the Ritz Supper room
was the venue. Regular monthly socials were run which were planned to be an evening
for non dancers as well as dancers. A children's class was started on Saturday
mornings, tutored by Mr Newman.

The First Ball
In 1959 it was decided to discontinue the monthly social evenings and have "one big
night" instead. This was held at the Concert Chamber on 1st August and became
Rotorua Club's first Ball. Programmes were printed and all the surrounding clubs
invited. Each club member took four plates, the club purchasing "bread etc" for
sandwiches. Soft drinks were sold at 9 pence per bottle. WDDF assisted with the
supper for a donation of £4.

The 1960's:

There is more information about the following ball in 1960. It was attended by 84
dancers. Entry was 7/6 pence adults, 5/- children and spectators, drinks 9 pence,
raffles 3 for 2/6 or 1/- each.
Later that year there was a Special General Meeting called to discuss standards of
tutoring and dancing, dancers' inattention to the tutor when briefing the dance, and
whether the tutor should be subsidised to go to Summer School. However by the AGM in
March 1962 the then Tutor Mr Aitcheson reported that the Club was a pleasure to
tutor and he "was proud of the standard of our Club's dancing".  The club membership
in the early 1960's was about 48, and attendance at club nights was sometimes of
concern. Club night fees were reduced in 1961, the venue was changed to St John's
Church Hall and 50% attendance was required to qualify "for any concessions
including voting power at the AGM."

 In April 1961 the committee resolved not to join the Waikato Association as they
could see no benefit in doing so, and there was ongoing disagreement about this in
1962 and 1963, and again in 1965. However the club paid an Affiliation Fee in 1966.
 Although payment of Affiliation Fees to NZSCDS is not mentioned until 1961, the
Club was in regular contact with the NZ Scottish Country Dance Society much
earlier, having been visited for a dancing evening by Mr Les Jack in May 1958.

The AGM in March 1963 saw Mr Gary Morris appointed tutor, and Mrs Craig was present
at this meeting. She proposed that "members should refrain from drinking on buses to
and from balls" and the motion was carried unanimously. The discussion on the motion
was not recorded, but it is understood that the bus had to stop too often for
"comfort stops!"  Through the mid 60's the club fees were 5/-, with a nightly fee of
2/6 for members and 2/- for non members. Mrs Craig was elected to the Committee in
1965.

The club provided a set for the Andy Stewart Show in 1963 and also organized mass
dancing for the Highland Games held at Smallbone Park in November. In 1965
invitations to the Rotorua Ball were sent to 15 other clubs and the club was still
using buses or mini buses for transport to balls around the Waikato and BOP. This
cost members 10/- per trip in 1965, and three such trips were organized.

Mrs Craig was elected President at the 10th AGM in February 1966.A decrease in
membership was discussed several times at Committee Meetings in early1966. Several
long standing members of the club had left Rotorua or retired. The 10th Anniversary
Ball, complete with Grand March, and Eightsome Reel played by the Rotorua Pipe Band
was planned for June, in the Concert Chambers. At this time it was not customary to
run raffles at a Ball so two Door Prizes were given * a bowl of fruit and a bottle
of sherry. Soft drinks were sold at 6d per bottle. The Ball made a loss of *5- 8s-
1d, but otherwise club funds were in good shape. Shortly after the Ball, Mrs Craig
was elected as tutor on the resignation of Mrs Aitcheson due to domestic
circumstances. Mr and Mrs Aitcheson had been active members since the start of the
Club, taking on between them committee work, tutoring and presidency. Mrs Craig was
to remain tutor for more than 30 years!

In 1968 the Annual Ball was moved to September "when the roads would be in better
condition and thus encourage clubs attendance from clubs further afield". 128
dancers attended this ball which made the Geyser Hall "somewhat cramped." The club
subsidized for the first time, the Tutor's attendance at the Teacher's Class at
Summer School.




The 1970's:

Queen's Birthday Weekend 1970 saw Rotorua SCDC hold its first Weekend School. 150
dancers attended and there were more than 200 at the Ball. The club was flourishing
with an increased membership and regular children's classes. Wednesday evenings had
Children * 6.30 to 7.30, Adult Beginners 7.30 to 8.45, supper at 8.45 to 9.00
followed by dancing for Advanced members. Mrs Craig had help for the Children's
Class which had 20 children on average. The following year this programme was
reduced a little with a Children's Class (Beginners) from 7-8.00 pm and an
Adult/Intermediate class from 7.45pm. This was still a lot for the tutor to plan for
and take so for at least part of the year the Committee  Members took a few dances
each after supper.

 The club discussed Life Membership for some of its foundation members in 1971 but
decided that the club should be 25 years old before this could be awarded.

In 1972 a second Weekend School was held by the club. Mrs Craig passed her Prelim
Teacher's Certificate and in 1973 she became the first member of the Rotorua Club to
pass the Teacher's Certificate examinations.

The highlight of 1974 was the visit of Miss Jean Milligan, co-founder of  the Royal
Scottish Country Dance Society, to Rotorua on 4th and 5th September. A lot of
planning went into this visit, including media interviews with NZBC (Women's
Afternoon Session), Rotorua Daily Post and NZ Herald. She was given a tour of the
area, and presented with a gift by foundation member Mrs A Straiton. The evening
function to which all the clubs of the Region were invited, was formal * the men had
to wear kilt or suit and the ladies a skirt or afternoon frock. Club members still
remember Miss Milligan telling them to hold their heads up "as there is no money on
the floor!" She told the newspaper that Scottish Country Dancing was popular as it
"has dignity, good manners and a real social friendliness."

Miss Jean Milligan at Rotorua 1974






By the mid 70's enough members had cars that buses were no longer hired to get to
the region's balls and the minutes record that members should share petrol costs
with the driver. Noreen Hunter drove a Mini and took 3 other dancers. They took no
luggage other than their make up bag with them * their dancing dresses being laid
out carefully in the boot. There were several teenage members of the club whose good
behaviour is mentioned several times.

The 21st Birthday Ball and Queen's Birthday Weekend School in 1977 was the next big
event and the "Scotsmen Band" was asked to play. The club decided to have caterers
for the functions so to fundraise for catering and band the club held a series of
"flea markets" and jumble sales. A birthday cake was arranged and a piper, Ramsey
McArthur, asked to pipe it in. Special invitations were sent to Rotorua Mayor, NZ
and Waikato /BOP Presidents, the auditor, St John's Church Minister and their wives.
Over 300 people attended the Ball. The same year Club Night was changed to Monday *
and has remained Monday ever since!
For the following 1978 Ball at the last minute neither the club's Tutor Nona Craig
nor Simon Barbour, President, were able to attend so Margaret Johnstone "stepped
into the breach as MC and kept the evening swinging"

To encourage new members the club put a series of advertisements in the "Personal"
column of the Daily Post and had a very good response.

In 1978 and 1979 Simon Barbour was elected assistant tutor, and he became president
in 1979.



The 1980's:

Another successful Weekend  School was held in 1981 with the 25th Anniversary
celebrations, but the year was generally "up and down" according to the President's
report. The club needed new members, both adults and   children.


The 25th Birthday cake made and iced by Gerry Neisham

However Nona Craig enjoyed the break from teaching two classes each Monday.
Fees had been raised several times in recent years and by 1983 there was "a very
heated discussion." on fees. However the club had been running at a loss so the door
fee for non financial members was raised to $2.00 per session, and annual fees were
raised slightly. The session was changed too * children and inexperienced dancers
were asked to stop at 9.00 pm so that the last hour was for experienced dancers.
1984 started badly with the theft of all the club's equipment from the church hall
in the holiday break. HQ of RSCDS loaned the club $200 to help purchase new
equipment, but this was later returned as a new turntable was bought with insurance.
 However by the time amplifier r and speakers had been purchased in 1985 club funds
were very low $54! An application was made to the RDC Community Arts fund for a
grant for the equipment purchase.1984 saw a small group of children join the club,
but adult membership remained low - there were only 11 at the AGM.














Group Photo 1989
By early 1985 the club had only 8 financial adult members but the group decided to
continue and to advertise in the Daily Post with the same ads in the Personal
columns as were used in 1977. These  had the desired effect and there were two sets
of dancers at club nights.

In 1987 the Queen's Birthday Weekend School was again successfully held in Rotorua.
Simon Barbour returned to Rotorua and became President and Assistant Tutor for a few
years, taking the class once a month. St John's Church and Hall were pulled down in
1988 and dancing was held at St Mary's School Hall while the new St John's was being
built.  Tutor Nona Craig was elected N.Island Vice President for RSCDS NZ Branch in
1989.
 

The 1990's:

Simon Barbour left Rotorua in March and Jean Rawson started a term of 8 years as
President.
 The acoustics at the new St John's Church Hall were good so the club moved there
for Club night. Balls were still held at John Paul College. Membership was down at
the start of the 90's * "3 TV Channels to compete with" was a reason given. In 1992
the Ball date was changed to early April,  and has been at that time ever since, in
conjunction with a Region Meeting. The venue changed to Western Heights High
School. 150 dancers attended the Ball and the club "nearly didn't cope with the
crowd." The Waikato/BOP Region was now 18 clubs strong and dancers were finding it
difficult to get to them all. There was a children' class but it was lamented that
they didn't last, but a small group of teenagers kept up regular attendance.

Nona Craig was made the first Life Member of the club at the 1994 AGM., for her
services given in all areas of the functioning of the club. She had been tutor since
1966, and also acted as President and Secretary for several years.

The 1996 40th Anniversary was celebrated with a pre ball dinner. The Club decided
they had enough members to run the Queen's Birthday Weekend School in 1998. A grant
from the Civic Arts Trust was obtained which made it possible to have caterers for
the tea breaks and lunches, to have live music for classes and to pay visiting tutor
expenses. The Queen's Birthday Weekend Ball attracted 160 dancers * many more than
expected
                                                                                        
The Club's children's class flourished with the grandchildren of adult members
forming the core of the class. Jean Rawson wrote a dance that she used to teach the
children formations. This was named Tamariki Dance by Victoria  *** with the help of
her father and the dance is still danced in the Region in 2006.

In 1998 Nona Craig was awarded a Rotorua District Community Award at a Mayoral
function for long term service to the Rotorua Scottish Country Dance Club.

Jean Rawson resigned as President after 9 years in the position at the AGM in 1999.


2000 Onwards

Nona Craig had been threatening to finish as tutor for some years, and in August
2000 she resigned and left for a holiday * so the Club had to find new tutors!
Nona's parting advice to "who ever takes the tutoring on" was that they "must have
patience!" A tea dance in Nona's honour was held the following October, and Gordon
and Debbie Tonks briefed the "Night of Favourite Dances" As the new tutors were
inexperienced, Nona arranged the chosen dances herself, into a suitable programme.
More than 70 people attended this farewell.

The new tutors have been supported by Nona and Lynne Hudson from Papamoa/ Mount
Maunganui Club being guest  tutors on alternate Tartan nights, held the 1st Monday
of the month. Nona also helps out with tutoring children and beginners' step
practice.

St John's Church Hall floor had deteriorated over the years so the Club Balls were
moved to Ngongotaha Hall for safety of the dancers in 2003, and in 2005 the Club's
long association with St John's ended when Club night was moved to Westbrook School
Hall.

In 2005, Kirsten Forbes was presented with Life Membership. She joined the Club in
1983 and has been a regular dancer ever since.

The average weekly attendance of dancers at Club for 2000 * 2005 has been
(President's Reports 2004/05) "a set and a half"  - about 12 dancers!  Though small
in numbers the Club continues to organize an Annual Ball, provide a set for
entertainment at various celebrations, community functions, and retirement homes,
and to enjoy weekly Club nights. The challenge is to continue for another 50 years!


 

Compiled by Barbara Gatley April 2006