About the club

CLUB HISTORY

The “Ups ’n’ Downers” Square Dance Club was formed in Byford, Western Australia by Keith Lethbridge on the 24th February 1990. In April 2001, after Keith was transferred to the north of WA, Taffy took over the running of the club, with a lot of help from Alice, Ian and Sharmaine.

On the first night the club had 34 mainstream dancers and 52 learners. The club danced each Saturday night, other than Easter and Christmas.

The club remained at Byford until Saturday 30th July 1994 when it moved to the Challis Recreational Centre in Braemore Street, Armadale. When the Recreational Centre closed, the club relocated to the 1st Armadale Scouts Hall on the 1st December 2001. However, because most of our members live in the Gosnells/Thornlie area, the club relocated to the All Saints Anglican Church Hall on the 6th of May 2006.

The club, since it began, has been a strong supporter of the “Friendly Squares” Square Dance Club of Geraldton and every year members have travelled up to Geraldton for the Easter Square Dance Carnival. Until recently, the club was also involved with the Friendly Squares in the running of the “Badgingarra Bash”.  The Geraldton dancers would travel down, while the Perth dancers would travel north and meet at Badgingarra for a Saturday night Square Dance.

Previous activites held by the club include: a get-together on the Sunday of the Foundation day weekend where club members would gather at the Mardella Hall, which is located half way between Mundijong and Serpentine, for a casserole tea and dancing; and a weekend of dancing, bushwalking and relaxing at the old loggers camp at Wellington Mills.

Every year since 1995 the club has chosen a  Charity to support. We started with the Fred Hollows Foundation (’95), Royal Flying Doctor Service (’96), Cancer Research Institute (’97), Silver Chain Hospice (98),  Salvation Army (‘99), Guide Dog Association for the Blind (’00), MS Society of WA (’01), 1st Armadale Scouts (’02), Amanda Young Foundation ('04), Leukaemia Foundation ('05), Kidney Health Australia ('06), Salvation Army Drought Appeal ('07), Royal Flying Doctor Service ('08), The Sisters' Place ('09) and Youngcare ('10). A total of over $18,000. 

On special nights, such as our “Galah” night charity dance, our members Tom & Chris (Heart & Soul) provide us with live music and entertainment

PLEASE READ THIS NOTICE CAREFULLY

Square dancing is one of the safest of all recreational activities. No dancer has yet suffered injury while we have been calling; and that covers a period of 34 years for Keith and 20 years for Taffy.

However, accidents can always happen.

You, as a dancer, know best your own capabilities. Please take care. We have no insurance whatsoever and can pay  no compensation.

IT IS A CONDITION OF DANCING HERE THAT YOU TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY INJURY WHICH MAY OCCUR