Description
AUSDAM launched
by David Johnson
TN175 Feb 26
An exciting new organisation has been constituted to take on the running of the Bundanoon DanceFest.
This event has been running successfully since 2009 and is recognised as a major event in the Australian social dance calendar.
The support of many superb dance callers and fine musicians has been fundamental to its success.
The underpinning organisational support of Dave Johnson with programming, and Ray Mulligan with administration has been key.
However, organisational restructuring of Bush Traditions Inc has led to a decision to pass the DanceFest on.
To this end, Australian Social Dance and Music Inc. has been launched and will be running the DanceFest from 2026.
In addition, the new and enthusiastic committee is exploring other avenues for promoting social dance and its associated music.
A feature of AUSDAM is membership with voting rights, apparently a popular feature as many have already signed up.
A substantial grant from Bush Traditions has given a huge impetus to the committee to pursue its incorporated aim which is ‘To promote a healthy lifestyle and community cohesion by fostering interest and participation in traditional and contemporary social dance and its music’.
The changeover in management of the Bundanoon DanceFest should be seamless from the perspective of the dance and music adherents.
The new website, ausdam.org, will allow membership application, joining the email-list, purchasing tickets, applying to present a workshop, and perusing a gallery of event pictures from 2008 to the present.
The new team bring years of experience and lots of energy: Dave Johnson (president); Heather Clarke (vice-president); Colin Towns (secretary); David Potter (treasurer); and members Denise Hibbs (Melbourne); Cathy Grylls (Sydney); Janien Floyd (Armidale); and, Jude Stuart (Goulburn).
