ADELAIDE OUTLAWS
40 Years of the Adelaide Outlaws Square Dance Club
Forty years ago, a recently married young couple sat down for a serious conversation.
Could square dance calling and running a club really be part of their future together?
After weighing the pros and cons, Graham and Dawn decided to take the leap.
Graham had already enjoyed calling at several Adelaide clubs, and together they advertised “Learn to Square Dance” evenings on Monday nights at Woodville, beginning 25 September 1985.
Their nervous anticipation quickly eased when new dancers and supportive locals arrived to help launch the club. With a trial hire fee of just $10 a night from the Woodville Council and admission set at $3.00, the Adelaide Outlaws were officially up and running.
The hall was spacious, un‑airconditioned, and equipped with long glass doors that opened wide during Adelaide’s hot summers, a simple but memorable start.
Growing the Club and Moving Halls (Often!)
Just over two years later, several dancers expressed interest in learning Plus. Many lived in the northern suburbs, so a Wednesday night Plus club was opened in Kilburn. The first venue was a small church hall that served well until the night they arrived to find the floor newly carpeted — not ideal for dancing! A quick move to Blair Athol followed, then another move back to Kilburn when the landlord reclaimed the hall.
Hall moves became a recurring theme for both clubs.
The Monday club eventually left Woodville as leaseholders changed and maintenance declined.
A later move to Findon Road ended abruptly when once again, the hall was carpeted.
Flexibility and resilience became part of the Outlaws’ DNA.
Special Functions and Big Ideas
From the earliest birthdays, the Outlaws embraced themed events with enthusiasm. Graham hand‑painted large backdrops, and one particularly ambitious year, members built an entire wooden cottage on stage for a Colonial theme.
In 1990 and 1991, the club teamed up with member Malcolm Hill, his family, and friends to present live band nights, a highlight for many dancers.
The Outlaws’ first feature caller arrived in 1990: long‑time friend Howard Cockburn from Victoria.
The weekend had a rock ’n’ roll theme and marked the beginning of many feature events to come. For the club’s 10th Birthday, they went all‑out with three different themes across three nights, complete with full scene changes.
Welcoming Callers From Around the World
In 1992, the Outlaws hosted their first American caller, Buddy Weaver, whom Graham and Dawn had met during a trip to the USA and Hawaii. Naturally, the weekend became a Hawaiian‑themed festival. Since then, the club has welcomed numerous interstate and international callers, enriching the local dance scene and building lifelong friendships.
A Community Effort
Across four decades, the Adelaide Outlaws have thrived because of the dedication of their committees, the loyalty of their dancers, and the spirit of fun that has always defined the club. Graham and Dawn’s courage to say “yes” back in 1985 created a community that continues to dance, laugh, and celebrate together.
To everyone who has contributed in big ways or small, thank you for being part of the Outlaws’ story.