White Cooloured card. Red writing. St. Clement's Anglican Debutante Ball Huntly Firday, July 12th 1985. Debutantes Partners Alison Popple Mark Edwards Kerran Franken Colin Boyd Allison Strauch Glen Backway Wendy Pollard Robert Borserio Lynne Holland Raymond Brown Amelia Chittick Brendan Allen Jacqueline Wilson Stephen Collins Donna Jacobs Jamie Creely Sally Rothenberger Jason Boston Ann Dyer David Sizeland Helen Yates Dean Yates Anne Borserio Trevor Monti Jenny Mills Glenn Peatling Susanne Rea Brett Adamson Anita Read Mathew Gee Sharon Thorburn Jason Byron Leanne Thorburn Andrew Dunne Fiona Mudford Andrew Shotton Presented to The Chancellor, Bendigo Diocese Mr.B. Phillips and Mrs. Phillips 9.15 p.m. Flower Girl Laura Strauch Page boy Simon Wells Flower girl Melissa Tuddenham Page boy Ben Chalkley Chaperone Mrs. Pam Luxford Trainers: Mr. Peter Ellis & Mrs. Mary Smith Pianist Mrs J.Grotto Announcer Mrs. M. Pitson MC Mr. Colin Silk 1 Foxtrot 2 St. Bernard Waltz 3 Maxina 4 Evening Three Step 5 Foxtrot 6 Pride of Erin 7 Progressive Barn Dance 8 Modern Waltz 9 Tangoette 10 Waltz Cotillion 11 Foxtrot 12 Valetta Waltz 13 Gay Gordons/ High Schottische 14 Foxtrot 15 Alberts 16 Parma Waltz 17 Charmaine 18 Swing Waltz 19 Foxtrot 20 Auld Lang Syne Presentation Dance: Fitzroy Quadrille. Autographs.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Off White coloured glossy card. Pink writing. ST. Clement's Anglican Debutante Ball Huntly Friday, July 13th 1984. Programme Debutantes Partners Michelle Grant, Jamie Creely, Robyn Wells, Norman Sheahan, Erica Wilkinson, Damien Tangey, Debbie Clarke, Greg Pocock, Natalie Gundry, Grant Andrea, Lynne Edwards, Rod Mills, Sally James, Darren Thompson, Kathy Creely, Peter Matthews, Lisa Tehan, Mark Yates, Amanda Clayton, Peter Morgan, Paula Ingham, Craig Clayton, Rosalyn Varker, Darren Cartner. Presented to The Bishop of Bendigo Rt. Rev. O. Heyward & Mrs Heyward 9.15p.m. Flower girl Kasie Watson, Page boy Andrew Swatton, Flower girl Emily Stevens, Page boy Bradley Clay, Chaperone Mrs. Bev. Read Trainers: Mr. Peter Ellis & Mrs. Mary Smith Pianist Mrs J.Grotto, Announcer Mrs. M. Pitson, MC Mr. Colin Silk, 1 Foxtrot Mary (Handwritten in Pencil), 2 Charmaine Muriel (Handwritten in Pencil), 3 Parma Waltz Mary (Handwritten in Pencil), 4 Gypsy Tap Lex (Handwritten in Pencil), 5 Foxtrot Muriel (Handwritten in Pencil), 6 Pride of Erin Mary (Handwritten in Pencil), 7 Progressive Barn Dance Lisa (Handwritten in Pencil), 8 Modern Waltz Muriel (Handwritten in Pencil), 9 Maxina Esma (Handwritten in Pencil), 10 Evening Three Step Lois (Handwritten in Pencil), 11 Foxtrot 12 Alberts Mary (Handwritten in Pencil), 13 Tangoette Ila (Handwritten in Pencil), 14 Foxtrot Mary (Handwritten in Pencil), 15 Valetta Waltz/ St. Bernard Waltz Lex (Handwritten in Pencil), 16 Gay Gordons Jane (Handwritten in Pencil), 17 Swing Waltz Mary (Handwritten in Pencil), 18 Foxtrot Muriel (Handwritten in Pencil), Presentation Dance Metropolitan Quadrille. Autographs.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Off White coloured glossy card. Pink writing. ST. Clement's Anglican Debutante Ball Huntly Friday, July 13th 1984. Programme Debutantes Partners Michelle Gran,t Jamie Creely, Robyn Wells, Norman Sheahan, Erica Wilkinson, Damien Tangey, Debbie Clarke, Greg Pocock, Natalie Gundry, Grant Andrea, Lynne Edwards, Rod Mills, Sally James, Darren Thompson, Kathy Creely, Peter Matthews, Lisa Tehan, Mark Yates, Amanda Clayton, Peter Morgan, Paula Ingham, Craig Clayton, Rosalyn Varker, Darren Cartner. Presented to The Bishop of Bendigo Rt. Rev. O. Heyward & Mrs Heyward 9.15p.m. Flower girl Kasie Watson, Page boy Andrew Swatton, Flower girl Emily Stevens, Page boy Bradley Clay, Chaperone Mrs. Bev. Read Trainers: Mr. Peter Ellis & Mrs. Mary Smith Pianist Mrs J.Grotto Announcer Mrs. M. Pitson MC Mr. Colin Silk 1 Foxtrot, 2 Charmaine, 3 Parma Waltz, 4 Gypsy Tap, 5 Foxtrot, 6 Pride of Erin, 7 Progressive Barn Dance, 8 Modern Waltz, 9 Maxina, 10 Evening Three Step, 11 Foxtrot, 12 Alberts, 13 Tangoette,14 Foxtrot, 15 Valetta Waltz/ St. Bernard Waltz, 16 Gay Gordons, 17 Swing Waltz, 18 Foxtrot Presentation Dance Metropolitan Quadrille. Autographs.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Small off white coloured glossy card. Blue writing. Bendigo Gold Panners' Old Time Ball Programme Bendigo Town Hall Friday, April 22 Special Guest Orchestra: Wedderburn Old-Timers. Hand written in blue pen on top of inside: BENDIGO GOLD-PANNERS FRID. APRIL 22 1977. Dance 1 Circular Waltz, 2 Plain Schottische, 3 Pride of Erin, 4 Maxina, 5 Progressive Barn Dance, 6 Alberts, 7 Polka Mazurka, 8 Evening Three Step, 9 Waltz Vienna, 10 Parma Waltz, 11 Lancers, 12 Swing Waltz. Master of Ceremonies: Mr Ted Stephenson. Your Partner: Wedderburn & Inglewood 'Express' Print, Wedderburn, 3518Wedderburn & Inglewood 'Express' Print, Wedderburn. 3518person, individual, peter ellis oam

White Card with Blue writing. Folded in half. Dance card. 24th Anniversary Debutante Ball Souvenir Programme Corryong Memorial Hall Friday, May 4th, 1962 Debutantes & Partners Jeanette Smedley .. .. Ian Jennings Kay Stockwell .. .. Colin Stockwell Dorothy Cox.. .. Harold McPhee Gail Bryant .. .. Peter Rousch Marilyn Carman .. .. Michael Vickery Faye Paton .. .. Mickey Rooney Robyn Mugeli .. .. Colin Attree Jeanette Wild .. .. Bill Findlay Pamela McIntosh .. .. Arthur Fredericks Nola McInnes .. ..Kevin Smith Faye Yelland .. ..Max McKimmie Ruth McKenzie .. .. Max McKenzie Joy Mildren .. .. David McKimmie Flower Girls: Jenny Renfree Sandra Paton Presented to CR. R. Marks and Mrs Marks (Deputy Mayor of Albury) Programme Fox Trot Quickstep Presentation - 9 P.M. Barn Dance Modern Waltz Pride of Erin Fox Trot Palma Waltz Modern Waltz Gypsy Tap Fox Trot Tangoette Quickstep Maxina Modern Waltz Medleyperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Cream coloured card. Folded in half. Black writing. Pictures of native flowers on each 'page' National Folk Festival Easter - Canberra Traditional Colonial Ball Music by Wongacreek (Wongawilli, Emu Creek and friends) Mc, Anthony Simon. 1 Circular Waltz/ St Bernards Waltz 2 Evening 3 step, 3 Grand March/ Fitzroys, 4 Dashing White Sergeant, 5 La Rinka Waltz, 6 Jolly Miller Highland Schottische, 7 Lancers, 8 Varsoviana, 9 La Gallopodes, 10 Polka Cotillion, Supper Break. 11 Ithoca Circassion Circle, 12 National Quadrille, 13 Gay Gordons, 14 Seige of Ennis, 15 Pride of Erin, 16 Polka Quadrille, 17 Bastone 2 Step/ Four Sisters Barn Dance, 18 Waltz Country Dance, 19 Galop Quadrille, 20 Swing Waltz, 7 Lancers, 12 National Quadrille, 16 Polka Quadrille, 19 Galop Quadrille.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Small white coloured card. Purple stamped writing, black stamped Bed & Breakfast Handwritten Blue pen. Bruce, Burton and Garran Meal Card Name: Emu Creek (sic) Room No: Valid From: 17.04.92 To: 20.04.92person, individual, peter ellis oam

Creamy Coloured Card folded in half. Marvellous Melbourne Bicentennial Ball The Royal Exhibition Building Carlton 29th April 1988. Order of Programme. 8.00pm Arrival 8.30 Welcome to Guests Dancing. 9.30 Dinner Dancing. 10.30 Announcement of Prizes. Addresses Dancing 2.00 am Close Music provided by the Wedderburn Old Timers. Menu Hot Chicken Entrée Selection Cold Meats & Salads Tipsy Cake Dinner Mints & Coffee. Acknowledgements Artwork - The Scriptorium Patricia Barth Hose Glassware Seppelt's Wines Trustees of the Exhibition Building Melbourne Parks and Gardens Proudly sponsored by 3AK.person, individual, peter ellis oam

White Card, Silver slightly scalloped edges. Purple writing. Spastic Children's Society Turn of The Century Ball. Charlton Shire Hall. Friday, 5th September - 8 p.m. - 3 a.m. 'Old Timers' Orchestra. Good Floor Good Supper Waltzing Competition In Aid Miss Australia Entrant - Miss Margaret Johnston. Gentleman £1-5-0. Lady £1-5-0. -Dress: Semi-Formal.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Green coloured card. Gold scalloped edges. St. Mary's Catholic Ball. Nathalia Sports & Community Centre. Saturday, 14th June, 1986 8.00 p.m. till 1.30 a.m. Wedderburn Old Timers Band $40 MONTE CARLO SMORGASBORD Bob Moss Catering B.Y.O. Drinks Tickets - $15 Single - $30 Doubleperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Blue card. Gold scalloped edges. Ticket . Old Time Ball will be held in Lockwood South & Dist. Progress Hall Friday, October 13th, 1967 Dancing 8p.m.- 2a.m. McQueen's Old Time Band. Waltzing Competition Best Period Costume Quest. Poultry Supper Gents $1.20 C.A. Holland, Pres. E.C. Rowan, Secretary. C.A. Holland & Co. Agents for all Amoco Products General Carrying Phones 53261-53262person, individual, peter ellis oam

Pink card. Gold scalloped edges. Ticket . Old Time Ball will be held in Lockwood South & Dist. Progress Hall Friday, October 13th, 1967 Dancing 8p.m.- 2a.m. McQueen's Old Time Band. Waltzing Competition Best Period Costume Quest. Poultry Supper Ladies $1.00 C.A. Holland, Pres. E.C. Rowan, Secretary. C.A. Holland & Co. Agents for all Amoco Products General Carrying Phones 53261-53262person, individual, peter ellis oam

Black and white photograph, white edges. Inside of a dance card. Programme.. Photo also shows pencil attached to card. Each dance has a name handwritten in pencil next to it. Names appear to be male.entertainment, dance, dance cards

Photocopied and Printed ticket to Old Time Ball. South Lockwood Progress Association Old Time Ball South Lockwood Friday, 25th October, 1968 Gaytones Orchestra Prize for Best Set Alberts Poultry Supper Admission---$1.20 Gents.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Small cream coloured card. Picture shows a pair of grey horses in harness being driven away from a church. Card has scalloped edges and a handwritten message reads: Thankyou Peter, for being a splendid tutor. `B.S.H.S. Debs.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Colour polaroid photograph. Sheet music. Banjo. Colonial Musical Cabinet containing new and popular songs. Native dried flower.entertainment, music, sheet music

Colour polaroid photograph. Sheet music. Banjo. Colonial Musical Cabinet containing new and popular songs. Native dried flower.entertainment, music, sheet music

Colour polaroid photograph. Sheet music. Banjo. Colonial Musical Cabinet containing new and popular songs. Native dried flower.entertainment, music, sheet music

Colour polaroid photograph. Sheet music. Banjo. Colonial Musical Cabinet containing new and popular songs. Native dried flower.entertainment, music, sheet music

Colour polaroid photograph. Sheet music. Banjo. Colonial Musical Cabinet containing new and popular songs. Native dried flower.entertainment, music, sheet music

Single page document. Crown at top. Titled INVESTITURE AT GOVERNMENT HOUSE, MELBOURNE NOTES FOR GUIDANCE Recipients may be accompanied by three relatives of friends. Because of the nature and length of the ceremony, it is not considered a suitable occasion for children under the age of six. Due to the large number of recipients on this occasion, it will not be possible for requests for additional guests to be met. Recipients and their guests will gain access to Government House by presenting their Entrée Cards at the Main Gate and on entering the Ballroom. Car parking space is available within the grounds. A ramp for wheel chair access is adjacent to the Ballroom Entrance. Recipients using wheelchairs are requested to advise us accordingly. Recipients and those accompanying them should arrive at the Ballroom Entrance of Government House at 10.00a.m. The dress for recipients is uniform, where appropriate, or lounge suit/day dress. Service personnel should consult their respective headquarters on dress. (Medals are not to be worn). Relatives and friends are requested to remain seated and not to applaud until the end of the ceremony. Recipients will be directed to the State Dining Room where they will remain until they receive their award from the Governor in the Ballroom. We suggest that personal items (bags, coats, etc) be left with a family member or left with a member of staff in the cloak room at the entrance to the Ballroom. Private photographs and videos may not be taken during the ceremony, but are permitted at other times. The media and an Official Photographer will be present on this occasion. Contact details for the Official Photographer will be included in the Investiture Booklet available on the day. At the conclusion of the Investiture, recipients and their guests are invited to join the Governor and Mrs Chernov for refreshments in the State Apartments. The function will conclude at approximately 1.00 pm. ***person, individual, peter ellis oam

4 page A4 printed document. Achievements of Peter Ellis (for consideration for the Order of Australia) Peter is regarded as one of the leading collectors and presenters of traditional dance tunes, dances and musical instruments in Australia. At the 2005 National Folk Festival it was announced by Robyn Holmes that he has the largest selection of dance related material collected in the National Library Archives in Canberra. Peter has been collecting for many years and has collected with the late John Meredith (AM), Shirley Andrews (AM), Rob Willis and Dave Di Santi amongst others. Peter has literally travelled Australia collecting over the past thirty years. He has extensive field recordings from Western Australia and Tasmania in addition to his Victorian collection, for example. Most of his recording has been in North Western and Central Victoria. Peter collected a lot of his material from Harry McQueen ( Castlemaine), which led to a double CD of Harry's music. Harry had played in dance bands for over sixty years in Central Victoria. Harry had a number of tunes from Bill McGlashan who had taken Harry under his wing as a young man. Through Peter's efforts much valuable material and knowledge from almost a century ago was saved for posterity. Founder, Charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo. Life Member of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Recipient of the Graham Squance award (for the person who has done the most to promote folk dance and music in Victoria)) from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. Member of the famous Wedderburn Old Timers Band for over twenty-eight years (two platinum and several gold recordings in that time). Founder and leader of the Emu Creek Bush Band (twenty-nine years old in 2010) Emu Creek has made many CDs of dance music as listed. Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop, Three double CDs called 'Quadrille Mania' which contain many rare dances and tunes which have been learnt and recorded, under Peter's guidance, so they would not be lost to posterity. A triple CD called 'Take Me Back To Bendigo' with heritage songs and music from the Gold Rush to Federation (solely organised and financed by Peter) These CDs show the multicultural heritage in Bendigo and include music and groups from the Koorie, Chinese, Cornish, German, Irish, Italian, Scots, English and Welsh communities of Bendigo and district. Upon his recovery of costs Peter has handed over copyright to the Bendigo Community so future profits go back into the community. Three double CDs called 'The Merry Country Dance' with dances and tunes going back to the time of Governor Lachlan Macquarie's Ball in 1804. Most of the tracks are performed by Emu Creek Following much practice under Peter's tutelage. For further authenticity Peter liaised with other musicians to record some tracks which were revived from almost two hundred years ago and have now been recorded using the instruments of the time. A three volume set of Bush Concert recordings (Vol 1 Goornong (launched Australia Day 2006 with any profits going to the Soldier's Memorial Hall Committee), Vol 2 Heywood and Vol 3 Maldon/Sutton Grange, already recorded and to be released as money from other projects becomes available. NOTE: None of these CDs have led to any profit. All money raised is put back into the community and further heritage recordings, books and videos through the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. In 2009 a full collection of all Peter's book and CDs was donated to the John Gorton Library as part of the recognition of the fifty year career of the Gay Charmers Dance Band from Lake Charm. 'Music of the Diggings' (4 tracks by Peter or Emu Creek). In addition the Emu Creek Band, under Peter's leadership, has appeared on a CD backing Bruce Watson on his song, 'The Old Bush Dance'. Emu Creek has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and several times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for over twenty years as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter has written and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include Three volumes of 'Collectors Choice' which is musical notation for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts. 'Two Hundred Dancing Years - How to run a Colonial Ball: (co-authored with Shirley Andrews (A.M.), 'Music Makes Me Smile - The Music of the Nariel Valley' (co-authored with Harry Gardner). The Merry Country Dance' (292 pages) a companion to the three double CDs. He has also been a contributor to Verandah Music' authors Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australia Folklore' Ed Graham Seal. Peter is also a regular contributor to 'Trad and Now' Magazine. His latest completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' and is over three hundred pages of social history, recipes and dance instructions. It was completed with the assistance of a Victorian Government Heritage Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter has taught many children about old time musicianship through the junior bands which have functioned over the years with many children joining Emu Creek and then going on to follow their own musical inclinations. He has trained several young concertina and button accordion players over the years. Peter has been a regular tutor with Continuing Education in tin whistle, harmonica and old time dancing for many years. Peter has conducted workshops in music dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National folk Festivals. He has also done this at Maldon for many years, Port Fairy, Glen Innes, Jamberoo and Kiama Festivals. For over thirty years Peter has been a guest player and MC for the dances at the Nariel Folk Festival (Australia's oldest continuing Folk Festival) Peter is very well known in the Corryong area as a collector and the co-author of the book, Music Makes Me Smile, about the Klippel/Simpson dynasty in the Nariel Creek Band. This book is currently being revised for re-issue as more material has come to light since the original publication. For many years Peter trained Debutante Sets in the Bendigo District. Peter was an instigator of the annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk for the past thirteen years. At this ball three bands play for a quarter of the night and then join together for the final part of the evening. The bands are Emu Creek, The Wedderburn Old Timers and the Gay Charmers. Up to four hundred dancers, many in heritage costumes have attended this dance. The ball also pays tribute to, and involves, the old MC's. Through this example their skills have been passed down to a younger generation of MC's. All profits are returned to the Dance Club to foster our musical heritage. Each Ball includes presentations designed to promote social dancing in Australia. Over the years several young musicians have been presented with musical instruments at the Ball, libraries have been given copies of Peter's books and CDs and one year a keen young dancer was presented a pair of dancing shoes. Peter is a trained ballroom dancer and has gained gold medal status in this field. Peter is an accomplished musician and is one of Australia's foremost button accordion players. He is also highly accomplished on the tin whistle, bones and harmonica. He is the only exponent of the Swanee whistle that I have seen. Peter also plays the piano and ukulele. Thirty six years membership of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, Secretary in the 1970s and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). Peter was also extremely active in the establishment of the Salomon's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves in Bendigo which have now been saved for posterity. Peter has also been involved in efforts to save One Tree Hill and this area has now been included in the Greater Bendigo National Park. He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagates Australian plants. Peter takes regular guided tours of interested people through the Whipstick each Spring on wild flower educational tours. He is a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. Life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists. Peter contributed text and photographs to their publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. When the Victorian State Parliament had its first historical sitting outside Melbourne Emu Creek played during lunch for the guests and public. They have also played at functions such as the Centenaries of Federation, the Bendigo Post Office, the Shamrock Hotel and the opening of the new Melbourne Museum and the Federation Museum in Bendigo. The band regularly plays for Seniors week and at homes for the aged such as Bethlehem, Mirridong, Bignold Park, Bendigo Village and others. Peter has been instrumental in getting the band to play for fundraisers such as schools, scouts and environmental groups. The band plays many charitable 'gigs'. The band supports the Bendigo Easter Fair and the Eaglehawk Fair when able and has appeared in several parades over the years. The above list shows the invaluable contribution that Peter Ellis has made towards the collecting and distributing of Australia's musical and dance heritage. No one has done more than Peter in this area. He has also been active locally and nationally in his endeavours towads saving the natural environment. He has put many years of time and energy into both area's and has many on going projects in mind for the years ahead. The awarding of an honour from Australia would be just reward for a man who has preserved so much of our musical and dance heritage for future generations. Knowing Peter I have no doubt he would treasure such an honour as he has given so much to preserve Australia's music and dance heritage over most of his sixty plus years. Compiled by John Williams. Handwritten notes at bottom of last page reads: Referees Jacinta Allan MLA Steve Gibbons MHR Willie Carney ex Mayor of Bendigo Supporting letter Mary Smith Sec. Bush Dance + Music Club.person, individual, peter ellis oam

3 Page Letter printed on A4 printer paper. Bearing the letterhead of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. Postal Address Secretary PO Box 922 Bendigo 3552 Telephone number (03) 5442 1153 email [email protected] Mark Maddock Case Officer Australian Honours and Awards Secretariat Government house Canberra ACT 2600 28th February 2011. Dear Mark, Thank you for giving us the opportunity to speak for Peter Ellis. We know Peter to be a worthy candidate for the award and I think that most people that know him would agree. I had been putting together a nomination for Peter that was suggested by a couple at our club meeting on a night when Peter was not present. Everyone felt that he should have recognition for all the work that he has done and it was unanimously voted on. I was given the job. As someone else has beaten me to it I now can speak for him on my own behalf and in my role as secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter Ellis is a very good friend of mine and I have known him since April 1975 when we met at a Saturday night dance. At that time there was a small group of us that went around the dances. We would go 100kms to find dances that were not on the average programme, dances such as The Lancers, Albert's, Waltz Cotillion and lots of Polkas. We bemoaned the fact that they appeared to be dying out in the Towns and Cities so we tried to get the Bendigo Old Time Dance Club of which we were members, to introduce these dances on to the programme, but they were not interested. After a lot of discussion Peter, Maurie Rayner, myself and several others decided to start our own dance club where we could do the dances that we liked, and to endeavour to keep them alive. We formed the Sandhurst Dance Club in June 1979 (renamed ten years later as the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc.) In 1981 Peter made two attempts to form a band for the club and in 1983 the 'Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band' was born, with Peter as the leader. Later Peter set up a junior section of the Emu Creek Band and some of these children grew up to become competent musicians and leaders of their own bands/Groups. Peter's friendship with the late Harry McQueen of Castlemaine led to and increased knowledge of the dances, calls for the sets and the various tunes used. Peter joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra in late 1979 and travelling around Victoria and interstate with them was of immense help in learning to MC dances, call sets acoustically and in collecting new 'old dances' and tunes. He met elderly MC's who gave him information on the way that they ran the dances in the old days. It was also an introduction to playing items at concerts and in reviving much of the old traditions of the bush. Demand for the tunes for dances led to Peter compiling a series of three books called 'Collectors Choice' which were published by the Victorian Folk Music Club in 1986, 1987 and 1988. 1988 was a very busy year for Peter and The Emu Creek Bush Band as they recorded two double music tapes for the club 'The Merry Country Dance' and 'The Waltz the Polka and all Kinds of Dancing' which were in much demand at the time. Also in 1988 he collaborated with the late Shirley Andrews and they co-authored the book 'Two Hundred Dancing Years and how to celebrate them with a Colonial Ball' for the Bicentennial of 1988. this publication, was instigated by the Government backed Bicentenary Committee, and distributed free to every municipality in Australia. In 1996 The Emu Creek Bush Band and Peter recorded and produced a single CD called a Friday night at 'The Spring Valley Hop'. In 1998 The Bush Dance & Music Club again happily agreed to financially back Peter to produce a series of CDs. The first thing he did was to revive and update the 1988 music tapes for CD. The first of the Qadrille Mania series of double CDs with companion call books was launched in 1999 then in 2000 and 2001. then the triple CD called The Waltz Polka & all kinds of Dances in 2002 followed by the Merry Country Dance CDs in 2005, 2006 and 2007. There were six double CDs and one triple CD produced which was a major undertaking that went on for eight years. The CDs have a great many tunes that Peter collected over the years mixed in with well known tunes and there are very few repeats. During this time we applied for a Grant from the Victorian Government to publish a book on the social History of country dances and dance instructions with Peter as the author. We were successful and published it in 2005. Our CDs and book have all been lodged with the National Library of Canberra as has all Peter's sheet music, boxes of it, as well as everything he has produced. At the 2005 Canberra National Folk Festival, at a meeting of collectors, it was stated that Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library. Peter compiled and produced his own project a triple CD called 'Take Me Back to Bendigo' in 2002. 2006 Peter and Emu Creek Bush Band produced another single CD 'Bush Concert Vol one Back to Goornong'. 2008 A pet project of Peter's was compiling and producing a double CD for the Wedderburn Old Timers it was of all the recorded material performed by them at concerts and taped by friends and fans. It was funded by Gavan Holt a son of the late Lindsay Holt an original 'Old Timer'. Recent publications are a book mainly music 'Music Makes Me Smile' a tribute to Con Klippel and the music of the Nariel Valley near Corryong Victoria. Peter Ellis & Harry Gardner 1998. The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dancing' a sheet music book for musicians supported by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. 2007-8 not sure of year. Peter has been involved over the years in collecting music and dance by himself and also with Rob Willis and the late John Meredith for the National Library in Canberra. He is continually asked for information and to write articles for people and to verify points re dance and music. He corresponds with like minded people overseas and frequently goes off to Folk Festivals all over the country, usually running dance classes, musician's workshops or just playing for dances. He is an excellent musician and plays Piano, Button Accordion, Concertina, Mouth Organ, Tin Whistle, Ukulele, Spoons and the Bones. He is regarded as one of Australia's foremost collectors and presenters of Australian traditional dance tunes, dances and some musical instruments. Over the years I have heard him referred to as the Guru of folk dance and music. Peter lives and breathes for this passion of his and always has several irons in the fire. He is a life member of The Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. The Victorian Folk Music Club, and The Bendigo Field Naturalists Club. He was a recipient of the David Squance Award in 1994 presented by the Folk Song & Dance Society of Victoria. Over the last twelve months for the folk magazine 'Trad & Now' he has written articles on the old dances and music and this is an ongoing project. This has led to our clubs present project which is the filming of the dances to be shown on UTube as it is referred to in the magazine. This involves members in hours and hours of practising the dances then filming them, and all with Peter's expert teaching and watchful eye on everyone. The Bush Dance & Music Club are and always have been behind Peter wholeheartedly in everything that he does and we are extremely proud of what he has achieved. His drive and enthusiasm for the preservation of music and dance is catching. People like Peter are absolutely necessary in finding and preserving our Australian Heritage, without them it would be lost forever and Australia would be a great deal poorer for it. The Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo Inc. and I fully support this nomination for an award as he is truly deserving of it. Yours sincerely Mary E Smith. Secretary of the Bush Dance & Music Club Inc. Peter's Timeline. 1979 A Foundation Member of the Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. 1979 Joined the Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra. 1983 The Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band was formed. 1986 Collectors Choice. Volume one. 1987 Collectors Choice. Volume Two. 1988 Collectors Choice. Volume Three. 1988 Recorded Tapes - The Merry Country Dance & The Waltz Polka & all Kinds of Dances. 1988 A book with the late Shirley Andrews called Two Hundred years of Dancing. 1991 Across to Perth collecting for National Library with the Late John Meredith. 1996 Single CD A Friday Night at the Spring Gully Hop. 1998 Music Makes Me Smile. A tribute to Con Klippel 7 music of the Nariel Valley. 1999 Double CD Quadrille Mania 1&2 2000 Double CD Quadrille Mania 3&4 2001 Double CD Quadrille Mania 5&6 2002 His own project triple CD Take Me Back To Bendigo. (Goldrush to Federation and Beyond). 2002 Triple CD The Waltz The Polka & All kinds of Dances. 2005 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 1 & 2. 2002 Book, The Merry Country Dance. 2006 Single CD with Emu Creek 'Bush Concert Vol 1 Back to Goornong' 2006 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 3&4 2007 Double CD The Merry Country Dance 5&6 2007-8-? A book of music, The Waltz, The Polka & All Kinds of Dances. 2008 Double CD The Wedderburn Old Timers in Concert.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Brochure pertaining to the Order of Australia. The inside shows the variations of medals including Soverign's Badge, Companion (AC)~ General Division, Officer (AO) ~ Military Division, Member (AM) ~ General Division, Medal Of the Order (OAM) ~ Military Division.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Letter written to Peter Ellis from Charles Curwen, CVO, OBE. Office of the Governor Victoria. Dated 8 March 2012. Mr Peter Nicolaus Ellis, OAM 3 Flora Lane Bendigo Vic 3550. Dear Mr Ellis I write to invite you to attend an Investiture at Government House on the morning of Friday 20 April, 2012 when the Governor, the Honourable Alex Chernov, AC, QC, will be very pleased to present you with your award. Notes for your guidance concerning time of arrival, the attendance of relatives and friends, and dress, are enclosed, together with four Entrée cards for yourself and three guests. Would you kindly reply on the enclosed form by Thursday 5 April, 2012. If you are unable to be present on this occasion, the Governor will be glad to invite you to attend the next Investiture which will be held later this year. Yours sincerely Charles Curwen Official Secretary Encl.6 Enquiries: Anna Rischitelli or Wendy Heintz Tel. (+61 3) 9655 4211 Office of the Governor Government House Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia T +61 3 9655 4211 F +61 3 9650 9050 www.governor.vic.gov.auperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Letter written to Peter Ellis from Stephen Brady Official Secretary to the Governor-General and Secretary of the Order of Australia. Dated 12 December 2011. Honours-in-Confidence. Mr Peter Nicolaus Ellis 3 Flora Lane Flora Hill Vic 3550. Dear Mr Ellis I wrote to you recently advising you that you were being considered for an award within the Order of Australia. It is now my pleasure to inform you that your award of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division has been approved by the Governor-General in her capacity as Chancellor of the Order of Australia. The Governor General has asked me to extend her congratulations to you. As indicated in my previous letter, your award will be announced in the media and published in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette on Thursday 26 January 2012. I ask that you treat this manner as strictly confidential until the date of publication. From that date you will be entitled to use the initials 'OAM' after your name. Embargoed copies of the Gazette and biographical notes on recipients of awards will be issued to media outlets a few days prior to announcement, and you may be approached by members of the media for an interview at this time. If you agree to be interviewed, it is quite in order for you to discuss your award with media representatives. Media are aware that they must not under any circumstances publish or announce details until the appointed time. In due course you will be invited to attend an Investiture ceremony at which you will be presented with the insignia of your award. Once a date has been finalised you will be contacted by the Government House in your state or Territory. It is expected this will be in April or May next year. May I add my own congratulations to those of the Governor-General on your award. Yours sincerely Stephen Brady Official Secretary to the Governor-General and Secretary of the Order of Australia. Government House Canberra, ACT 2600 Australia telephone (02) 6283 3533 Facsimile (02) 62833620 Email [email protected] Honours-in-confidenceperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Letter written to Peter Ellis from Stephen Brady Official Secretary to the Governor-General and Secretary of the Order of Australia. Dated 4 October 2011. Honours-in-Confidence. Mr Peter Nicolaus Ellis 5 Flora Lane Flora Hill Vic 3550. Dear Mr Ellis I am writing on behalf of the Governor-General to inform you that you are being considered for the award of the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division within the Australian Honours System. The Order of Australia is the pre-eminent means by which Australia recognises the outstanding and meritorious service of its citizens. Awards are publicly announced on Australia Day and The Queen's Birthday. It is proposed that your award be announced in the Australia Day Honours List on Thursday 26 January 2012, and the proposed citation for the honour would be: 'For service to the arts through the collection and preservation of Australian folk history and heritage'. Please find enclosed an acceptance and privacy form and information concerning your award, which is intended for release to the media. If you wish to accept the proposed award, please complete and sign both sides of the form and return it to me in the envelope provided, together with any amendments you may suggest regarding the media information. I need to receive your reply by 22 October 2011 please. If you feel unable to accept the proposed award, I ask that you please confirm this in writing. After the Governor-General has considered all the proposed awards, I shall advise you of the outcome prior to the announcement date. Finally, I ask that you keep the contents of this letter strictly confidential until you receive confirmation of the honour, and the subsequent announcement of the award is made in the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette. In the event that you decline the award, I would ask that you maintain the confidential status of the proposal. If you have any queries please contact the Australian Honours Secretariat on 02 6283 3604. Yours sincerely Stephen Brady Official Secretary to the Governor-General and Secretary of the Order of Australia. Government House Canberra, ACT 2600 Australia telephone (02) 6283 3533 Facsimile (02) 62833620 Email [email protected] Honours-in-confidenceperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Newspaper cutting from Bendigo Advertiser, dated Saturday, December 3, 1988 - Page 14. Photo on left is captioned: ABOVE: John Meredith and Peter Ellis prepare traditional dance music for the National Library archives. Top right picture is captioned: ABOVE: Peter Ellis plays and 80-year-old celluloid penny whistle. Ellis' 'Collector's Choice' will be launched today at the National Trust chambers in View St at 3 pm. LEFT: Peter Ellis demonstrates the one string fiddle and collection of various instruments. Article reads: Duo's work an insight to music over the years. Local musical identity and Australian social dance authority Peter Ellis, co-author of the Bicentennial publication 200 Dancing Years, has completed his series on dance music entitled 'Collector's Choice'. Noted Australian folklorist John Meredith will launch volume three of Collector's Choice today at the National Trust chambers in View St at 3 pm. A photographic display by John Meredith can be seen at the chambers between 2pm and 5pm. The display is called Pioneers of Performers and it exhibits a cross section of traditional musicians from all over Australia. Fifty superb black and white toned prints will also be on display. John Meredith is one of Australia's foremost folklorists and has many publications to his credit including Folk Songs of Australia, Frank the Poet and The Wild Colonial Boy. Peter and John have just returned from the third national folklore conference in Canberra. Collector's Choice has more than 300 popular tunes written in a clear single melody line with guitar chords provided. Forty different dances are represented with music including the Pride of Erin, Parma Waltz, Evening Three-step, Swing Waltz, Barn Dance, Progressive Jive and Old Time Medley. A detailed introduction provides handy advice on choice, presentation and suitable tunes plus historical details on the evolvement of colonial, modern ballroom, old time and new vogue dances and music. Illustrations on the social history of the bands and individual musicians can be found throughout the book. Bendigo bands of old which are illustrated including Cyril Sawyer's Swingsters. As part of the launch the Sandhurst Dance Club will host a free dance from 8pm at the Marong Public Hall.Bendigo advertiserperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Colour photocopy of article from Bendigo Advertiser. Dated Saturday, May 23, 2015. FAREWELL, MA.. When Peter received his Order of Australia Medal it was one of his proudest moments. He couldn’t resist wearing it on every occasion. FROM - PREVIOUS PAGE The Emu Creek Bush Band has performed at National Folk Festivals in four states and numerous times at the National Folk Festival in Canberra. They have also been mainstays of the Maldon Folk Festival for most of its history as well as doing dance programs for the Port Fairy Folk Festival on two occasions. Peter wrote and published many books related to traditional music and dance. These include: Three volumes of 'Collector's Choice' which is musical notations for bush dances coupled with much dance history which would have been lost without Peter's efforts, are 'Two Hundred Dancing Years- How to run a Colonial Ball' (Co-authored with Shirley Andrews (AM), 'Music Makes Me Smile- The Music of the Nariel Valley' (Co-authored with Harry Gardner), and his last completed book is titled 'The Merry Country Dance' with over 300 pages.. .. .. Grant. The first edition sold out in only a few weeks. Peter taught old time musicianship, accomplished as he was on the concertina and button accordion, tin whistle, and harmonica, as well as the Swanee whistle, piano and ukulele. In demand for workshops in music and dance at National Folk Festivals in Perth, Alice Springs, Maleny, Melbourne, Adelaide, Kuranda and more recently at several Canberra National Folk Festivals, he was a hit at festivals across the country. As a trained ballroom dancer, with many gold medals to his name, Peter passed on his knowledge every time he trained debutante sets in the Bendigo region. As an early environmentalist, he was a life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Club, secretary in the 1970's and actively involved in campaigns to save Lake Pedder and establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks (now part of the Bendigo National Park). He has discovered and named new plant species in the Whipstick Forest and propagated many Australian plants. Peter took regular guided tours through the Whipstick each spring, on wildflower educational tours. He was a keen and gifted photographer of local plant species. When Peter received his Order of Australia Medal it was one of his proudest moments. He couldn’t resist wearing it on every occasion. Funeral details. Family, friends and his supporters will farewell Peter.. .. .. ..person, individual, peter ellis oam

Newspaper article from the Bendigo Advertiser stuck on A4 printer paper. Article is dated Friday, May 22, 2015. Article is accompanied by a picture of Peter Ellis and is captioned as such. Article is written by Jason Walls and is titled Loss for folk music history. Article reads: Celebrated Bendigo Music identity, historian and naturalist Peter Ellis OAM died suddenly this week after a brief illness. He was 69. Mr Ellis was highly regarded as a collector and preserver of traditional bush music, with his collection of dance related material the largest in the National Library Archives in Canberra. He was award an Order of Australia Medal in 2012 for services to the arts through the collection and preservation of Australian folk history and heritage. Mr Ellis was a founding member of the Emu Creek Bush Band and achieved two platinum and several gold records in his more than 30 years with the Wedderburn Old Timers Band. Fellow Emu Creek Bush Band member and close friend John Williams said Mr Ellis had made an invaluable contribution to the preservation of Australia's musical and dance heritage, travelling extensively across the country recording and notating folk music. 'In 500 year's time, as long as they can find the technology, people will be able to resurrect our bush dancing history,' he said. 'Probably his biggest legacy is the number of young people who have been made aware of bush music and are continuing to play it today and will play it in the future.' As a life member of the Bendigo Field Naturalists Mr Ellis was also involved in campaigns to establish the Whipstick and Kamarooka State Parks and the Saloman's Gully and Jackass Flat Flora Reserves, and lobbied for the inclusion of One Tree Hill in the Greater Bendigo National Park. A public funeral service will beheld at the Mulqueen Family Chapel on Bridge Street on Monday, May 25, at 11am, followed by a private cremation. An extensive obituary will be published in Saturday's Bendigo Advertiser.person, individual, peter ellis oam