© 2008 Suncoasters

Made by Serif

Nev McLachlan has been the Director of the Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre since it was first built, and has been the resident Caller for the Suncoasters Square Dance Club since the Club’s formation in 1970.

Nev’s parents, Frank and Edna, and his late brother Rod, another caller, introduced him to square dancing when he was a young pre-teen at school. His introduction to calling was through  a Caller’s School and he went on to great success in the Queensland Amateur Caller’s Contest, held in Brisbane.  He liked it so much that he wanted his friends to learn so he started a Club called “Circle W” (Wynnum) in 1969. Later the “Circle W” joined with the club of square dance legend Bernie Kennedy and the new club became the “Bar K / Circle W”.

Nev also became resident Caller for the Reg Lindsay Show, “Country Homestead”, which was broadcast nationally on Channel 9 from 1977 until 1982.

In 1977 Nev married Bev Brandon, daughter of another well known square dance couple Graham and Margaret and since 1982 Bev has been the Cuer for Round Dancing and Clogging. Bev had been cueing in Brisbane before coming to the Sunshine Coast, and, under her guidance, numerous people have mastered the intricacies of Rumba, Cha Cha, Two-Step, Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango, Bolero, Paso Doble, and Jive. Somehow Bev also manages to find time to teach Clogging.

As a direct result of the dedication of both Nev and Bev, Square Dancing and Round Dancing is and will remain alive and well on the Sunshine Coast.

The Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre, located at Ballinger Park, Buderim, in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, attracts numerous Australian and overseas visitors each year. The long-time dream of  Suncoasters Square Dance Club, the Centre became a reality in 1985, thanks to the late Clive Latcham and his wife Ada.

The Centre is situated amidst several acres of landscaped grounds featuring picnic and BBQ facilities.

Inside, the Centre is geared up for Square Dancing with a 20 x 25 metre hardwood dance floor, large stage, fully-equipped kitchen, and all amenities.

Large Square Dance functions are a regular feature of the Centre, with Guest Callers coming from all over Australia and overseas. Caravan and camping facilities onsite are convenient for some inter- and intra-state visitors while the many and renowned tourist facilities of the Sunshine Coast draw dancers from all points of the globe.

How did the Centre come to be?

Many years ago the Suncoasters began to investigate the possibility of owning our own hall. A small on-going Committee started work and the project was almost forgotten until a chance remark to a Past Maroochy Shire Council Chairman (Mr  Don Culley) saw an application submitted for the use of Council-owned land. The Council then also suggested that it submit to the Commonwealth Government, on our behalf, an application for a Community Employment Program Grant. After much discussion, it was decided that the Suncoasters Square Dance Club could not be expected to take responsibility for raising the amount of money required to match this grant. Our small committee became Trustees, guaranteed the money, and as a group are the governing body for the Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre.

As the Government Grant would account for approximately two-thirds of the total costs, our Committee had to find a very significant amount of additional money. This was achieved through generous donations and guarantees, particularly on the part of the late Clive Latcham and his wife Ada (Patrons) and Nev and Bev McLachlan (Director / Caller / Cuer).

Many of our dancers contributed in other ways. Some ‘Bought a Brick’, others supplied chairs, kitchen equipment, machinery, plants, trees, and copious amounts of personal labour.

The Centre was completed in 1985, the Suncoasters first dance in our new home being quite a memorable occasion.

Numerous groups from the larger Sunshine Coast community have and continue to benefit from the existence of the Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre with the hall being regularly used for other forms of dance, fitness classes, and various other activities.

Suncoasters Square Dance Club has over 150 members ranging in age from under 10 to over eighty, all sharing in the common belief that square dancing is, indeed, ‘Fun, Fitness, Friendship’.

Suncoasters, a long held dream of Nev McLachlan, has been around for a long time, as the following chronological overview will attest.

1970 - First dance, Nambour Showgrounds Hall

1970 - Club named and registered

1970 - Dancing at Woombye School of Arts Hall

1973 - Dancing at Cane Growers Building, Nambour

1974 - Dancing moved to Bli Bli Public Hall

1977 - Club Banner first displayed in public at Toowoomba

1978 - First rounds taught to Suncoasters members

1979 - First dressed sets at National Convention held at Cloudland Ballroom

1980 - “LIFE.  BE IN IT” leads to a large influx of learners. A larger hall is needed.

1981 - Dancing moves to Activities Hall at Maroochydore Primary School

1984 - Maroochy Shire Council leases land to Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre

1985 - Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre is built, our new home.

1985-Current - Club numbers fluctuate, but numbers are always strong.

Several dances and/or teaching classes are held each week with levels ranging from Basic through Plus to A1 and A2.  Round Dance and Clogging sessions are also conducted each week. All sessions are enthusiastically attended by Suncoasters members, there being no shortage of laughter readily mixed with most enjoyable dancing.

Club Mainstream and Round dance nights are held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday’s of each month.

Several special occasions are celebrated each and every year. These include an Easter Festival (April), the Club Birthday (May), the Sunshine Coast Square Dance Centre Anniversary, which incorporates the Camping and Caravan Convention (August),  and Christmas (December).  Special dances are also organised when there is a 5th Saturday in the month.

The future continues to look promising with yearly pushes to attract new dancers consistently resulting in significant numbers of new devotees to Square Dancing.

The Suncoasters Club is alive and well with both new and seasoned dancers of all ages continuing to enjoy entertaining, varied and challenging dancing.