Coloured photo of Peter Ellis with a concertina, talking to a lady and a man at an Old Timers Ball held at the Melb. Town Hall on 28/6/85. Written on the back - part of it cut off: Old Timers Ball Melb Town Hall 28/6/85. Bourke (nee) Dixon. Ellis with my father's - ertina, Frank Dixon.photo, group, dance, peter ellis collection, old timers ball, melb town hall, bourke - nee dixon, ellis, frank dixon

Two pages and a part page of 35 mm size photos as they appear on a negative strip. Written at the top of the pages is Old Timers Ball - Albert Hall 8/9/77. Photos show people dancing, playing music and standing in front of the camera. Pages are numbered 23-C1, 24-C1 and 25 - C1.entertainment, dance, ball, peter ellis collection, old timers ball, albert hall 8/9/77

Page with a leafy border advertising a Surprise 50th Birthday Party for Maureen Simpson with the music provided by the Wedderburn Old Timers. VFMC Woolshed Ball held at the Central Hall Brunswick St Fitzroy on 14th October. Contact Allan Gardner. Emma Corry written at the end.Emma Corryentertainment, dance, dance, peter ellis collection, maureen simpson, wedderburn old timers, vfmc woolshed ball, allan gardner, emma corry

A programme from the Colonial Bush Band at the Woosang Bush Ball on 14/03/1980 printed on blue card with purple text. Inside the programme is listed the order of dances.emu creek bush band, bush ball programme, woosang, wedderburn old timers

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

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

2 page article printer on A4 printer paper. Handwritten in greylead pencil across top of first page reads: Trad + Now Article written by John Williamson. Peter Ellis Order of Australia Recipient 2012 By John Williams. On 26th of January 2012 Peter Ellis was awarded the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the Arts through the collection and preservation of Australia's folk history. Peter has been a long time correspondent to this magazine and has provided the most detailed information on social dancing in Australia. There are many more things about Peter that readers should know. Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library Archives from over thirty years of collecting. His collecting trips have included Victoria, Western Australia and Tasmania. The Western Australia trip was with John Meredith who was a long time mate of Peter's. Peter is a founder, charter member and life member of the Bush Dance and Music Club of Bendigo and received the Graham Squance award from the Folk Song and Dance Society of Victoria. He was also awarded a life membership of the Victorian Folk Music Club. Peter is founder of the Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band which has been performing for thirty years and has played at the opening of the Melbourne Museum, Victorian State Parliament and Centenaries of the Shamrock Hotel and Post Office in Bendigo among many other gigs. Peter has also produced twenty one CDs with Emu Creek in that time which cover quadrilles, couples dances and the History of the Bendigo over one hundred and fifty years. (Emu Creek are already booked for the Canberra Centenary Ball in 2013!) Peter has also played with the famous Wedderburn Old Timers for thirty years during which time that band has received two platinum and several gold recording awards. Peter has also found the time to write several books including his three well know volumes of dance music, 'Collectors Choice' and the definitive volume on social dance in Australia 'Merry Country Dance'. He has also co-authored 'Two Hundred Dancing Years' with Shirley Andrews and 'Music Makes Me Smile - The music of the Nariel Valley' with Harry Gardner. Peter has also contributed to books compiled by others such as Rob Willis, Graham Seal and Dave Di Santi. Peter has trained many young musicians and conducted continuing Ed classes and Deb sets. He is a gold medal standard ballroom dancer in his own right which many dancers say contributes to his understanding of the correct tempo for all the dances he plays for. Peter has also been instrumental in the Bendigo Field Naturalist's Club of which he is a life member. He has been heavily involved in campaigns that have led to the establishment of two flora reserves and extensions to the Greater Bendigo National Park when housing developments threatened native bushland. He has contributed text and photographs to the publication 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. Peter's award was really well deserved as you can see. What is really fitting is that he received the award on Australia Day. How fitting for a man who has single handedly saved more of Australia's Social Dance music and history than any other person. Australian dancing, music and the environment really owes Peter a lot. Well done from all your Trad and Now readers.person, individual, peter ellis oam

Seven advertising notices for dances and balls featuring the Wedderburn Old Timers. The light blue one was held at the Box Hill Town Hall on 14/4/1978 and was sponsored by the Doncaster Lions Club in aid of ONEMDA Home for Mentally Retarded Children and organised by W Whitten-Jones. The bright green on was held at the Northcote Town Hall on 26/11/1994. The two yellow and the white one was held at the Northcote Town Hall on 24/6/1995 and the two darker green ones were for the St Patrick's Eve Old Time-Colonial Ball held at St Ambrose's Hall, Brunswick on 16/3/1996 and was presented by Talk, Song & Dance Society Victoria Inc.entertainment, dance, ball, peter ellis collection, wedderburn old timers, box hill town hall, doncaster lions club, onemda home for mentally retarded children, o whitten-jones, northcote town hall, sir roger de coverley, government house nsw, the graphic - february 1880, st ambrose's hall brunswick, talk song & dance society victoria inc

Four newspaper cuttings featuring the Wedderburn Old Timers. The first is a photo of people dancing with the band in the background at the Bendigo Psychiatric Centre (no date). The second is a page from the Loddon Times - Wednesday, May 15, 2002 with photos of Kevin and Averyl Fry, Moira Clarkson, Danni Devlin, Andrea Hollier, Don Manypenny. Lyn Lynlsing, Betty Jackel and a photo of four members of the band playing their instruments.The third is a photo in The Mercury 29/1/1981 of the band with their instruments. (The full page of this paper is part of the Collection). One member mentioned was Lindsay Holt and the fourth is a page from The Bendigo Advertiser 27/8/1988 telling the history of the band and an old man named Ted Noonan who taught the violin to a farmers daughter named Daisy in Wehla. There is also a photocopy of this article.Bendigo Advertiserentertainment, dance, barn dance, peter ellis collection, wedderburn old time ball, kevin & averyl fry, maira clarkson, danni devlin, andrea hollier, don manypenny, lyn lynlsing, betty jackel, campbell holmes, the loddon times 15/5/2002, bendigo psychiatric centre, wedderburn old timers, lindsay holt, ted noonan, elma ross, grummy ross, bendigo advertiser 27/8/1988, dr donald topley

Page advertising the Colonial Bush Ball Woosang 14/3/1980. Compere was Ted Stephenson. Featured the Wedderburn Old Timers. The programme of dances is listed on the paper.entertainment, dance, colonial ball, peter ellis collection, colonial bush ball woosang, ted stephenson, wedderburn old timers

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

Shire of Korong Presidential Old-Time Ball Programme with the Shire emblem on the front. Cr. W. Hunter, Shire President 1983/84. Ball held at the Wedderburn Mechanics Institute Hall on Friday, August 10, 1984. Wedderburn 'Old-timers' Orchestra. On the inside is the names of 17 dances with space to write partners names. Master of Ceremonies were Mr. Peter Ellis & Mr. Trevor Holt. Printed on yellow paper.entertainment, dance, dance cards, peter ellis collection, shire of korong, cr w hunter, wedderburn mechanics institute hall, wedderburn 'old-timers' orchestra, peter ellis, trevor holt

Small Yellow card. Royal Historical Society of Victoria Bendigo Branch 'Alexandra' Costume Dinner Ball Programme City Hall Saturday, 4th July, 1981. Wedderburn Old Timers Orchestra Programme Master of Ceremonies: Mr. Peter Ellis 1. Grand March- Pride of Erin 2. The Schottische 3. Evening Three Step 4. One Step 5. Valetta Waltz 6. Barn Dance 7. Gay Gordons 8. Pride of Erin 9. The Alberts 10. One Step 11. Princess Polka 12. Parma Waltz 13. Maxina 14. Medley 15. Waltz Cotillions 16. Barn Dance (Monte Carlo) 17. Gipsy Tap 18. Circular Waltzperson, individual, peter ellis oam

Two blue cards for the 12th Annual Dinki Di Old Time Ball Saturday 15th September 2007 at the Eaglehawk Town Hall Bendigo7pm 'til late. Emu Creek bush Band, Wedderburn Old Timers, Gay Charmers. Cost $20 or $15 prepaid, Mary Smith (03) 5442 1153entertainment, dance, dinki di old time ball

Green card to 8th Annual Dinki Di Old time Ball to be held Saturday 20 September 2003 at the Eaglehawk Town Hall 7pm till late. Emu Creek bush Band, Wedderburn Old Timers, Gay Charmers. Cost $15 or $12 prepaid Mary Smith (o3) 5442 1153.entertainment, dance, dinki di old time ball

Cream coloured cardboard with blue printing ROYAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF VICTORIA BENDIGO BRANCH Costume Dinner Ball ALEXANDRA FOOUNTAIN CENTENARY CITY HALL SATURDAY, 4th JULY, 1981 - 7.30p.m. - 1p.m. DRESS 1881 - 1981 MUSIC "WEDDERBURN OLD TIMERS" Double $30.00 Single $15.00 B. Y. O. ADMIT ONE alexandra fountain centenary ball, wedderburn old timers, royal society of victoria, bendigo