History of the Tokoroa Scottish Country Dancing Club
The Tokoroa Scottish Country Dance Club was started in 1955, with a membership dominated by recently migrated Scottish and English dancers. The tutor was a young NZ lady called Joy, whose surname now escapes us. The club owned no records so ex-Dundee brothers Bob and Charlie Stewart, two very professional accordionists, provided all our music.
In 1959 the club folded due to dwindling numbers and loss of our community centre hall, and wasn't revived until 1977, when several interested people under the auspices of the Tokoroa Pipe Band approached two survivors of the original club, Graeme and Genny Hall. We began dancing in July 1977, with Glenys Clark (nee Sands) as tutor. Cathie Cruickshank also joined the Club at this time. We received a generous starting donation of about eight LPs from Glenys' mum Shirley, and we haven't stopped since.
Graeme Hall held the role of Club President continuously since the Club's revival until he stood down at the 2018 AGM when he was succeeded by Ian Stewart.
Cathie Cruickshank served as Secretary/Treasurer continuously from 1979 to 2011. Cathie relinquished this role in 2011. Joy Morgan then took over the role in which she had supported Cathie since 2004. Joy had joined the club in its early days and has been an active member since then.
Genny Hall took over as Tutor when Glenys left and continued in the role for twenty years. She is now our Club Patron
Jeanette Lauder is our current teacher having followed Genny in the role from the start of 2002. Jeanette began dancing in Wairoa and has danced with the Tokoroa Club since arriving in the town in the early 80s achieving her teaching certificate with the RSCDS in 2004.
Life Memberships have been bestowed on several members at various Annual General Meetings. The first of the Club’s life members was Lois Simpson who began as a Scottish Country Dancer late in life. She loved the dancing and companionship within the club. The service and commitment of Genny, Graeme and Cathie to our Club was formally recognised when Life Membership was bestowed on them at the 2004 AGM. Joy Morgan was awarded life membership at the 2010 AGM and Jeanette Lauder at the 2018 AGM.