Jim Daniels, together with his wife Edna, began square dancing in 1953, a time when the movement was just beginning to flourish in Victoria.
From their first steps at Happy Valley Square Dance Club under Les Schroder, to their years at Valetta with Wally Cook, Jim and Edna became fixtures of the square dancing scene.

But Jim’s legacy reaches far beyond the dance floor.

In 1967, Jim founded Squares Around Victoria, a modest newsletter that grew into the heartbeat of the Victorian Square Dancing Association Inc.
Through his editorial vision, The SAV became a publication connecting dancers across clubs, regions.
It chronicled not just events and updates, but the spirit of a community, inclusive, and ever evolving.

Jim was awarded Life Membership to the VSDA, and later the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), recognizing his extraordinary service to the community.
His contributions were not only organisational but deeply personal, he preserved stories, celebrated milestones, and ensured that the history of square dancing in Victoria would never be forgotten.

His dedication, and leadership shaped the culture we cherish today.

We dance on in his footsteps, with gratitude, rhythm, and the enduring joy he helped cultivate.