IRIS WEATHERBURN

Commenced square dancing when she was 18 years old, was introduced to the activity by an Aunt & Uncle.
The late Fred Byrne was her first teacher, and she helped him commence a Square Dance Club at Howrah.
When she was 19 she left Tasmania for a working holiday on the mainland.
On her return to Tasmania Fred’s club was no longer operating, and square dancing had finished in the South of Tasmania, so when she wanted to return to square dancing, it was also necessary to help commence a new club, this was in 1973, and the new club commenced was the Southern Eights Square Dance Club, still operating but only dancing rounds, and now known as Roulette Rounds.
She served on the Committee of this club over a number of years. And in 1976 we commenced the Casino City Square Dance Club. Which she has helped to run ever since, as there is no committee she does all the financial planning helps with all the learners classes, organsizes the club functions and anything else that needs doing.
In 1974 the Tasmanian Square Society was formed, she was at the inaugural meeting and has served on the Commitee as Secretary/Treasurer, Vice President, and area delegate on a number of occasions over the years, she is also the Society Historian till this present day.
In 1985 she was made a Life Member in recognition of her service to square dancing in Tasmania.
She served on the committee as the Secretary for our first National Convention to be held in Tasmania in 1976, and again for the 3rd National Convention in Tasmania held in 1989, she was also a committee member for our first State Convention which was held at Hellenic Hall, November 1983, she has also worked on the Committee’s for two or three State Conventions over the years.

She was also the first secretary the Australian National Convention Advisory Committee now known as the Australian National Convention Advisory Board, and travelled to each National Convention in the various States all around Australia, before David Woodget took over the position.

During 1987 and 1988 our Bi-Centennial year she was one of only two Tasmanian dancers who travelled and danced in every State and Territory to be awarded with a Gold Medal by the National Square Dance Society.
She has also attended every National Square Dance Convention since 1974, and also every Tasmanian State Convention. She has also travelled and attended State Conventions in Sth Aust. Vic. Qld. and N.S.W. over the years.

She also likes to round dance and has represented Tasmania in the Showcase Rounds.
Over the years she has also helped to teach round dancing, and also served on the Committee of Ausdance on numerous occasions, to try and promote square dancing in the schools and reach our children. She served as the Treasurer of the Ausdance Committee for many years, and has been honoured with Life Membership of Ausdance Tasmania Inc.

She also took on the role of Secretary to the Tas. Callers Association for a couple of years when there was nobody to fill the position, and helped them through a difficult period.

While maintaining her interest and devotion to square dancing, she has also taken up the challenge of competition ballroom dancing.