Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association
Our History
The Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association celebrates 55 years of Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing in conjunction with the presentation of their Australian Commonwealth Championships at Ringwood Highland Games on the 5th April 2009.
Many meetings were held from March 1954 concerning the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, culminating in the inaugural meeting of the VSDA on 31st July 1954 when the association's application for affiliation with the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing, Edinburgh was drafted. Minutes from the meeting acknowledge that Mrs Tassie Green was instrumental in laying the foundations of the association.
On 25th/26th August 1954, Mr Harry Fairly representing the SOBHD visited from Scotland. He came to promote the technique and dress worn - and showed films of it in Melbourne and Ballarat.
At the meeting of the SOBHD in Edinburgh on 3rd October 1954, the VSDA's application for affiliation was presented and unanimously granted.
Monthly competitions were planned, as were examinations for adjudicators, teachers and dancers. In 1954, the association accepted a platform at Daylesford Highland Gathering and in 1958 on New Years Day at the Maryborough Highland Gathering. These competitions are still held and on 5th April 2009, VSDMA celebrate 55 years of being associated with SOBHD with holding the 49th Australian Commonwealth Championships at Ringwood Highland Games.
On 5th August 1959, Mrs Norma Burnett became secretary of the VSDA and continued to serve the association in this position until September 2005. In honour of her outstanding service, the Norma Burnett Memorial Festival of Dance is held on the first Saturday in August.
In November 1959 correspondence was received from the SOBHD Edinburgh re: the information of an Australian body and on 27th April 1960, the VSDA was advised to form a Victorian body. As one association could not be recognised as the Victorian body, teachers with their own classes were encouraged to break away from the VSDA and form their own associations. A notice was also placed in the press encouraging interested persons to reply so that a Victorian body could be formed. The body formed is now known as the Victorian State Committee of Highland Dancing Inc.
The VSDA commenced the formulation of Medal Tests in Victoria - implemented from 22nd June 1961 they continue to be held today.
In February 1998, the Victorian Scottish Dancing Association became solely an examining body comprising of technical members, adjudicators and teachers with the adoption of a new title for the remaining members - the Victorian Scottish Dancing Members Association.
The association continues to strongly promote highland dancing throughout Victoria, with our membership strong in both metropolitan and country areas.
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