BHS CollectionNewspaper articles from pages 63 and 65 of 'The Weekly Times' on October 15, 1997 with a description of the Dinki Di Bush Ball recently held at the Eaglehawk Town Hall. The article on page 63 describes the ball and features a photograph of Alan Russ and John Williams. The article on page 65 includes the lyrics to a song 'The Old Bush Dance' and six photographs from the event.emu creek bush band, australian colonial dance, eaglehawk town hall, dinki di bush ball

2 A4 sheets. Handwritten pencil note at top of first page reads: Eulogy published in Trad & Now Magazine. Vale Peter Ellis OAM. By John Williams. The folk community lost a giant on May 18th when Peter Ellis passed away after a short illness. Peter had been a collector, author and musician for nearly forty years and his work has been prodigious to say the least. Peter has the largest collection of dance related material in the National Library and had travelled Australia on his collection trips. He produced twenty CDs of dance music and historical music with his Bendigo based band the Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band which he founded and led for thirty four years. His final project was the double CD 'Cooee, Songs of the ANZACS' which he organised in conjunction with the Bendigo Historical Society. It was launched on 24th April and was Peter's last performance. Peter has also been a member of the Wedderburn Old Timers for over thirty years and has assisted with many of their recordings including their latest Bush Concert CD which Peter Organised. Peter has contributed to many other CDs over the years and has been thanked on many a CD cover by many folk artists. Peter has also written several books, the three volume 'Collectors' Choice,' 'Two Hundred Dancing Years' co-written with Shirley Andrews OAM, and 'Music Makes Me Smile' the history of the Nariel Valley musicians co-written with Harry Gardner. Peter's recent major work The Merry Country Dance will become the bible for people wishing to learn about our bush music heritage with its matching six CD collection. Peter has also contributed to 'Verandah Music' edited by Rob Willis and Graham Seal and 'The Oxford Companion to Australian Folklore' edited by Graham Seal and is a regular contributor to Trad & Now. He completed his last Trad & Now article the week before he died. Peter was also a life member of the Field Naturalists and was extremely active in campaigns to preserve Lake Pedder, the Whipstick Forest and Kamarooka Forest (now part of Bendigo National Park and preserved forever) One Tree Hill, Jackass Flat Flora Reserve and Saloman's Gully bushlands. Peter has discovered and named plants in the whipstick and enjoyed propagating native plants. He loved his amazing bush block in suburban Bendigo. Peter was also a keen photographer and had photos published in the book 'Wildflowers of Bendigo'. Peter taught dancing and music classes with Continuing Education for many years and encouraged many young musicians over the years. Peter was an accomplished ballroom dancer and had achieved gold medal status in that field. He was one of Australia's finest exponents of the button accordion, concertina, harmonica and tin whistle. Peter also played piano, organ and ukulele as well as the Swanee whistle and bones. Peter was the founder of the Annual Dinki Di Ball held each September in Eaglehawk as a tribute to the old MC's. Peter was happy playing for fund-raisers for any organisation who asked and also enjoyed plying the big gigs such as for the opening of the Melbourne Museum or for State Parliament. He played in the National Folk Festivals in four states and was a regular at the National in Canberra where he gave regular classes, performed with his bands and was a stalwart of the Aussie section of the session bar. He performed at nearly every Maldon Folk Festival and was MC at Nariel Folk Festival dances for many years. Peter was very proud of his OAM and wore the little medal at all of his performances. That honour was rightly given to one who did so much to preserve Australia's dance history. Peter lived a full life and was a friend to hundreds of people. He was taken far too young and in typical fashion was planning new projects right till the end. His passing is a huge loss for us all but one thing is certain. He will never be forgotten.person, 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

Financial Report for the Dinki Di Ball held in the Eaglehawk Town Hall in September 1997.Listed are the expenses, income and profit. Signed by Mary Smith, Secretary. In the top right corner is the logo of two emus playing musical instruments and a koala and a wombat dancing. Underneath is a banner with Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo. Written on the back is Emu Creek.clubs, music, bush dance & music club of bendigo, peter ellis collection, bush dance and music club inc, greater city of bendigo, mary smith, alan russ, wilhelmina johnson, betty martin, arthur pantazis, keith bell

Colour photograph. Band on stage. Emu Creek Bush Band. Young man in suit shaking hands with older man in tartan waist coat. Band members clapping. Back of photo reads: Bradley Barker receiving musical instrument from Peter Ellis at Dinki Di Ball Eaglehawk. A program to encourage young people.entertainment, music, emu creek bush band

Two photographs of the Emu Creek Bush Band performing in the Hargreaves Street Mall in Bendigo. One photograph of the band - location unknown. One ticket for the Dinki Di Old Time Ball. Saturday 19th September 2015. Eaglehawk Town Hall. Bendigo 7pm 'Til Late' Emu Creek Bush Band and The Gay Charmers.