OUR CLUB
SUNCOASTERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB has over 80 members ranging in age from twenty to over eighty, all sharing in the common belief that square dancing is indeed, "Fun, Fitness and Friendship set to music".
Suncoasters, a long held dream of Nev McLachlan, has been around for over 50 + 6 YEARS
1970 - first dance, Nambour Showgrounds Hall
1970 - Club named and registered with the Square Dancing Society of Queensland
1970 - Dancing at Woombye School of Arts Hall
1985 - MOVED INTO OUR HOME - SQUARE DANCE CENTRE BUDERIM
2026 - We celebrated our 50 + 6 birthday on the 30th May 2026. Still dancing and always welcoming more to our activity.
OUR CENTRE
THE SUNSHINE COAST SQUARE DANCE CENTRE, opened in the Maroochy Shire Council’s Ballinger Park Sporting Complex on the first week-end of August 1985. The long-time dream of Suncoasters Square Dance Club, the Centre became a reality with thanks to the late Clive and Ada Latcham. Great assistance was provided by the Council in securing a grant from the Community Employment Programme and fundraising by the Suncoasters Square Dance Club Inc, and private donations from the Centre’s Trustees.
The Centre, on 7 acres, located at 260 Dixon Road, Buderim ( just off the Sunshine Motorway) in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, attracts numerous Australian and overseas visitors each year. The Centre is situated amidst several acres of landscaped grounds featuring picnic and BBQ facilities. 2 acres of the grounds around the hall are fenced and landscaped with picnic tables and barbecues. The "Centre", the first purpose built Square Dance Hall in Australia and built outside of the U.S.A. attracts many interstate and international visitors both singly and in tour groups.
Inside, a 20 x 25 metre dance floor is hardwood and “floats” separate from the walls with large stage, fully equipped kitchen, and all amenities. Lighting and ventilation is good and ceiling fans and 3 large exhaust fans are installed.
Square Dance functions are a regular feature of the Centre, with Guest Callers coming from all over Australia and overseas. 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.
The Centre is maintained by a small band of volunteers who are also on the look out for additional helpers. This band of volunteers are always on the lookout for funds to help maintain this Centre. The Centre celebrated its 41st Anniversary August 2026
SUNCOASTERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB has over 80 members ranging in age from twenty to over eighty, all sharing in the common belief that square dancing is indeed, "Fun, Fitness and Friendship set to music".
Suncoasters, a long held dream of Nev McLachlan, has been around for over 50 + 6 YEARS
1970 - first dance, Nambour Showgrounds Hall
1970 - Club named and registered with the Square Dancing Society of Queensland
1970 - Dancing at Woombye School of Arts Hall
1985 - MOVED INTO OUR HOME - SQUARE DANCE CENTRE BUDERIM
2026 - We celebrated our 50 + 6 birthday on the 30th May 2026. Still dancing and always welcoming more to our activity.
OUR CENTRE
THE SUNSHINE COAST SQUARE DANCE CENTRE, opened in the Maroochy Shire Council’s Ballinger Park Sporting Complex on the first week-end of August 1985. The long-time dream of Suncoasters Square Dance Club, the Centre became a reality with thanks to the late Clive and Ada Latcham. Great assistance was provided by the Council in securing a grant from the Community Employment Programme and fundraising by the Suncoasters Square Dance Club Inc, and private donations from the Centre’s Trustees.
The Centre, on 7 acres, located at 260 Dixon Road, Buderim ( just off the Sunshine Motorway) in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, attracts numerous Australian and overseas visitors each year. The Centre is situated amidst several acres of landscaped grounds featuring picnic and BBQ facilities. 2 acres of the grounds around the hall are fenced and landscaped with picnic tables and barbecues. The "Centre", the first purpose built Square Dance Hall in Australia and built outside of the U.S.A. attracts many interstate and international visitors both singly and in tour groups.
Inside, a 20 x 25 metre dance floor is hardwood and “floats” separate from the walls with large stage, fully equipped kitchen, and all amenities. Lighting and ventilation is good and ceiling fans and 3 large exhaust fans are installed.
Square Dance functions are a regular feature of the Centre, with Guest Callers coming from all over Australia and overseas. 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.
The Centre is maintained by a small band of volunteers who are also on the look out for additional helpers. This band of volunteers are always on the lookout for funds to help maintain this Centre. The Centre celebrated its 41st Anniversary August 2026
Bev & Nev McLachlan
OUR CALLER & CUER
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. In May 2026, Nev celebrated an outstanding 56 years of calling for the Club.
Nev was introduced to square dancing as a young pre-teen by his parents, Frank and Edna, and his late brother Rod, who also was a caller. Nev’s introduction to calling came through a Caller’s School, and he went on to achieve great success in the Queensland Amateur Callers Contest held in Brisbane.
Nev enjoyed calling so much that he wanted his friends to learn to square dance, so in 1969 he formed his first club, Circle W (Wynnum). Circle W later joined with the club of square dance legend Bernie Kennedy, with the combined club becoming Bar K / Circle W.
From 1977 until 1982, Nev was the resident Square Dance Caller for Reg Lindsay’s television show, Country Homestead, which was broadcast nationally on Channel 9.
Nev was also the resident Square Dance Caller aboard Cruisin’ Country cruises 1 through 9. Cruise number 10, scheduled for October 2020, was unfortunately cancelled due to COVID.
Nev has been recognised by CALLERLAB, the International Association of Square Dance Callers, for more than 50 years of calling. In May 2026, he achieved another remarkable milestone, becoming the only Australian caller to have called at 50 Australian National Square Dance Conventions.
In 1977, Nev married Bev Brandon, daughter of another well-known square dance couple, Graham and Margaret Brandon. Bev had been cueing in Brisbane before moving to the Sunshine Coast and, since 1982, has been the Club’s Cuer for Round Dancing and Clogging.
Under Bev’s guidance, numerous dancers have mastered the intricacies of many Round Dance rhythms, including Rumba, Cha Cha, Two-Step, Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango and Jive.
Round Dancing and Clogging sessions are held on Wednesdays. For further information, contact Bev at [email protected].
Through the dedication and commitment of both Nev and Bev, Square Dancing, Round Dancing and Clogging continue to remain alive and well on the Sunshine Coast.