Bruce was born in Chatswood, NSW, on 28th December 1940 and grew up in Willoughby. On leaving school, Bruce gained an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner with Cockatoo Docks an engineering company and this led to a position as a marine engineer working on freighters and oil tankers. In 1967, Bruce married Arrie and they have two children and four grandchildren. In 1975, he “came ashore” and worked for a number of companies before settling in to his final working career with Work Cover Australia in the “Pressure Vessels” division.

Bruce started Square Dancing in 1977 and it became almost a second career for him as he has been actively involved with Square Dancing ever since. In 1988, Bruce became a Vice President of the NSW Society and he held that position for two years until Alan Hansford twisted his arm to take on the position of Society Secretary. He held that position for eight years, initially serving with Presidents Alan Hansford till 1991 and then Gordon Hearne till 1998. After a break, he put on the Secretary cap again between 2003 and 2005.

Bruce was a real committee person and worked on many committees over the years. In 1988 and 1995, Bruce worked on the decoration’s committees for the NSW National conventions for those years

From 1996 to 2002, Bruce served as secretary to the National Square Dance Society.

In 1997, Bruce took on the role of convenor for our 21st NSW State Convention.

From 1998 till 2001, Bruce took on a three-year commitment as co-convenor with Gordon for the 42nd National Square Dance Convention in Tamworth.

Following the Tamworth Convention, Bruce became a representative for NSW on the National Conventions Advisory Board and became mentor to the 47th Australian National Square Dance convention held in Niagara Park in 2006.

In 2003, Bruce was entered into the National Square Dance Society of Australia Roll of Honour.

In 2006, in recognition of his contributions to NSW, Bruce was honoured with a Life Membership to the NSW Square Dance Society.

For many years, Bruce worked as a subcommittee member of the NSW Society, updating the constitutions of the NSW Society and State Conventions. This was in conjunction with Alan & Gordon and much midnight oil was burnt, thrashing out wordings, meanings, grammar and effects for this. They became affectionately known as the three Musketeers and they were the authority on all NSW constitutional matters for many years.

Bruce danced at his local club, the Hillbillies, with Vicki Dean for most of his dancing life. He really enjoyed his dancing, and used to feel that he needed to give back to Square Dancing as much as it had given to him. He became involved in a myriad of committees over the years and loved to assist beginners and promote Square Dancing in demonstrations which the Hillbillies and the NSW Society organised in shopping centres and other promotional venues.