Kevin Kelly
From Western Australia – Inducted in 2002
About
I lost a football bet to a school friend and as payment had to attend my first Square Dance at the ripe old age of 15. I have now been Club Calling for 48 / 49 years depending on if you start the count from start of beginners or Club. I’m actually starting my count from the end of the first year of Club Calling which will have me enjoying my 50th year in 2018 along with two very dear Calling buddies Steve Turner and Nev McLachlan.
My journey has given me the opportunity to meet some of the nicest people in the world and I have been fortunate enough to have been invited to guest Call all over Australia, New Zealand, South East Asia, Malaysia and Mauritius. I called at my first club Sundowners from the night it started until it eventually closed some 38 years later and have been the Caller at my current club Happy Wanderers for the last 39 years. One small interesting point is that I only went to Happy Wanderers to fill in for one week until they found a permanent Caller 39 years ago. If that’s not the longest One Night Show in history I would be very surprised. He he..
I’ve been Best Man, Grooms Man, Godfather, MC and Pallbearer and Elegy reader so many times, been asked to sing the National Anthem a couple of times and am absolutely delighted to be called Uncle Kev by so many people in this wonderful Square Dance world I find the whole journey absolutely flattering. I really can’t thank you all enough.
I started this little Bio by saying I lost a Bet. I sure hope every losing bet I ever have is as wonderful an experience as this one has been.
Square Dance Society of WA (Inc)
PO Box 825, Cannington 6987, Western Australia
The Square Dance Society of Western Australia (Inc) have great pleasure in nominating Kevin Kelly for a position on the Roll of Honour.
Whilst I appreciate the fact that Kevin Kelly has not carried out a lot of duties with regard to the National Square Dance Society of Australia, he has been an active member of the Australian Callers Federation and our local Callers Association of Western Australia.
When Kevin is on the stage the dancers can be sure of great call great songs and the occasional joke.
Kevin has attended and called at almost all the National Conventions.
He was a member of the East meets West Group and has called at numerous Overseas functions, and throughout Australia.
In fact, he has been calling for some 30 years, and has a record of having called over 1000 times at Happy Wanderers.
He is at the helm of the 43rd National Square Dance Convention, and his Committee will provide you with a memorable Convention
I have great pleasure in forwarding to you the Nomination Form for the Roll of Honour on behalf of Kevin Kelly.
Kevin is still very dedicated to square dancing not only to his calling, but also his work as President of the Callers’ Association of Western Australia.
He has attended most National Convention, and was part of the East Meets West foursome. And as Convenor for the 43l’d National he is working extremely hard with a relatively small Committee to present a spectacular weekend in September.
Trusting the National Square Dance Society of Australia members will give this Nomination their favourable consideration.
If you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Best wishes Bruce for a speedy recovery from us all in the \Vest.
Look forward to seeing you at the National in Mandurah.
Yours sincerely
Joy Corney
President
Square Dance Society of Western Australia