The tradition of Year Pins and the National Convention Badge has become a familiar part of Australian square dancing, but its origins stretch back more than fifty years. What began as a practical idea to support dancers — and to help fund the South Pacific Square Dance Review — has grown into a cherished symbol of participation, pride, and community.

Early Badges: Before the Year Pin (1970–1973)

At the 11th National Square Dance Convention in 1970, dancers were issued simple self‑adhesive badges. They were convenient, but not always reliable, so much so that dancers were advised to carry a safety pin “just in case the adhesive doesn’t work.”

By 1973, discussion had begun about creating a more permanent, meaningful badge.
At the South Pacific Square Dance Review Editors Meeting during the 14th Australian National Square Dance Convention, Mr. Alan Frost proposed that the Square Dance Society of NSW produce a badge that could be sold to dancers and callers.
The NSW Society would cover the production costs, and profits would help offset rising printing expenses for the South Pacific Square Dance Review.

Mr. Frost suggested the badge feature a motif native to Australia. Mr. Jim White added that in the United States, dancers could purchase a National Convention badge and then add a small “year badge” for each convention attended. This sparked the idea that Australia could adopt a similar system.

After discussion, Mr. Graham Rigby proposed that the badge be shaped like Australia, a suggestion that was warmly supported.
The meeting agreed to recommend the concept to the Convention General Meeting and to leave final design and production decisions to the NSW Society Executive Committee.

The financial model was as important as the design. Funds raised from badge sales would be held in trust by the Square Dance Society of NSW. These funds would be used to cushion future increases in the cost of producing the South Pacific Square Dance Review, allowing the Society to continue distributing the publication without sudden price rises.

The First National Convention Badge (1974)

The 15th Australian National Square Dance Convention, held in Adelaide from 14–17 June 1974, marked the official birth of the National Convention Badge and Year Pins.

The NSW Society produced the first metal badge, shaped like Australia and designed to be lightweight yet durable.
President Charles Yaggs announced that the badges were now available for $1.00 each.

To accompany the main badge, small “year buttons” were introduced:

• Blue one‑year buttons
• Red five‑year buttons (replacing five blue buttons)
• White ten‑year buttons (replacing two red buttons)

Each button cost 50 cents, regardless of the year level. Dancers applying for past years were encouraged to order the correct combination — for example, sending 50 cents for a single five‑year button rather than purchasing five individual one‑year buttons.

To maintain integrity, the Society agreed that past year buttons would only be issued to dancers who had genuinely attended those conventions.

The NSW Executive designed and financed the badge, with profits continuing to support the South Pacific Square Dance Review.

Over time, the Year Pins evolved from straight metal bars to the curved style used today.
The modern design also incorporates the colour of the host state, adding another layer of identity and collectability to each year’s badge.

Replacing Lost Badges or Year Pins

Dancers who have misplaced their Convention Badge or Year Pins can purchase replacements through the National Square Dance Society website Merchandise Page