First published in 1932 and designed to fit into an average sized pocket for easy reference, this booklet was published in response to an upswing in the popularity of old time dances and reels. The fourth edition was published in 1937 and the 7th Edition was published in 1944. Robertson and Mullens , publishing company was formed in 1922 by the merger of George Robertson and Company and Melville and Mullen. Mullen and Robertson were friends who had immigrated from Scotland together and had initially set up separate bookselling and publishing businesses. The business operated out of 107-113 Elizabeth St., Melbourne and was delisted as a public company in 1960.A photocopy of Mullens Old Time Dance Guide on white paper with black text featuring an illustration of a man and a woman dancing in formal attire. The reverse side features a description of how the dances were to be performed. The publishers of the guide were Robertson and Mullens of Melbourne.emu creek bush band, australian colonial dance, old time dance guide

White writing paper with Bendigo Old Time Dance Club printed 7cm from the top of the page. Beside the name is a lady and a man dancing and underneath is President and Secretary.person, individual, peter ellis oam, peter ellis collection, stationary, bendigo old time dance club

White Bendigo Old-Time Dance Club Birthday Old-Time Ball Programme held at the Eaglehawk RSL Hall on Friday March 11th 1977. Music by Moores Orchestra. On the inside is the names of 26 dances and spaces to write partner's name. Master of Ceremonies was Mr. Fred Richter.entertainment, dance, dance cards, peter ellis collection, bendigo old-time dance club, eaglehawk rsl hall, moores orchestra, fred richter

Bendigo Old Time Dance Club Inc. President F. Richter, Hon Secretary Mrs L.L. Taylor. Printed on yellow paper with green letters. Top right hand side: ticket No. 340. Under the heading on the left: thank you for attending this, our endorsed Bicentennial Old Time Ball held at Strathdale Community Centre, Bendigo Saturday, June 11th, 1988. Continuous dancing to music by Premiers Orchestra and Organist Leon McGlashen. Dancing 8 pm to 1.30 am. Sashes: four sections of Bicentennial Sashes, Matron, Junior Matron, Star and Belle. Best Lady - Best Gent. Prize for the Beau of the Ball. On the right hand side the Programme from: Foxtrot, Swing Waltz, Progressive Barn Dance, Lucille Waltz, Merrylin, Tracy Leigh, Tangoette, Le Gaye Waltz, Foxtrot M.C., Alpha, Gypsy Tap, Melba Blues, Twilight Waltz, Joyette, Dorothea, Carousel.entertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

BHS CollectionTwo identical dance cards for the Plain and Fancy Dress Ball to celebrate the centenary of the Dandenong Town Hall on Monday September 3rd 1990. Each dance card consists of a small bifold card on pale blue card with a decorative gold and dark blue border. On the inside is a list of dances. On the rear is a list of the stewards.emu creek bush band, australian colonial dance, old time dance guide, dandenong town hall

The dance guide contains set dances, the Alberts, the First Set; the Lancers, the Fitzroys, the Valetta where couples dance side by side), the Schottische, and the Two Step, prepared by "M.C.". Mullens' "Old Time" Dance Guide. 7th edition. 6d. Robertson and Mullens; Melbourne (Vic); nd. 2p. Soft cover.mullens'; dance guide;

Photocopy of a newspaper article titled Oldtime Dance Band featuring the Wedderburn Old Timers. Mentioned is some of the history of the Old Timers and members of the band and some of the places they performed. Members mentioned are: Grummy Ross, Lindsay Holt (button accordion), Elma Ross (piano), Daisy Sutton (fiddle), Lional Collison (violin), Don Topley (whistle), Adrian Verrinder (guitar and banjo), Teddy Stephenson (MC) and Jack Condon (strohviol). They also played on the television program - The Penthurst Club hosted by Bill Collins and Mary Hardy.entertainment, music, wedderburn oldtimers, peter ellis collection, grummy ross, wedderbrn oldtimers, coral & lindsay holt, goldseeker motel, mechanics institute hall, elma ross, daisy sutton, lional collison, don topley, adrian verrinder, teddy stephenson, jack condon, dulcie stephenson, old leura hotel - camperdown, bill pollock, channel nine studios, henry hargreaves, collison orchestra, mary hardy, penthouse club, bill collins, don lane, bert newton

BHS CollectionA ticket for a social dance at the Assembly Hall in Hepburn in aid of the Daylesford Hospital on Wednesday November 9, 1898. The ticket is on grey card with black text with a black decorative border. Emu Creek Bush Band Collection.emu creek bush band, australian colonial dance, hepburn, daylesford hospital

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

A programme from the Bendigo Old-Time Dance Club at the Spring Gully Hall on 14/05/1976 featuring the Merrymakers Orchestra. On the inside is a list of order of dances. Printed on blue card with navy blue text. The front features a drawing of a man and a lady in formal attire dancing together.emu creek bush band, bush ball programme, merrymakers orchestra, bendigo old-time dance club

Charles Henry (Harry) McQueen (1910-1994) married Olive May Graham in 1935. He was a butcher by trade (McQueen's Butchers, Castlemaine). He was a pioneer of accordion dance music and was mentored by Billy McGlashan. He played by ear and his preferred instrument was a Mezon Grand Organ in the key of A. He played old time waltzes, bush dances and Scottish reels. He was well known for his double and triple right hand fingering. From 1940-1977 he led "McQueen's Old Time Band" and recorded their music.A biography written by Adrienne Losin about an old time musician and accordian player named Harry McQueen (1910-1994)harry mcqueen, old time dance music, accordian music

Colour photograph. Couples dancing in marquee on wooden stage style flooring. Period style dress.entertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

Colour photograph. Couples dancing in large building. Some in period style dress. Parquetry flooring.entertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

Colour photograph. Couples dancing outside very large shed building behind. Period style dress.entertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

Colour photograph. People dancing on wooden stage inside marquee. Period style costume.entertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

Colour photograph. People dancing on wooden stage. Period style costume.entertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

Colour photograph. People dancing on wooden stage in front of marquee. Back of photo reads: 14A/2 NFF Canberra. Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Dancing Emu Creek Playingentertainment, dance, bendigo old time dance club

The celebrated EMU CREEK BUSH BAND is a social group, which fosters junior members, has the promotion of authentic Australian Traditional Music as its aim. This is played on acoustic instruments featuring the 'squeezeboxes' i.e. the German system concertinas and button accordions along with fiddle, mandolin or banjo mandolin and whistles. Piano, banjos, guitars, double bass, washboard or lagerphone and drums play rhythm. Based in Central Vitoria. https://www.bendigobushdance.org.au/layout.php?p=1White polo shirt with the logo "The Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band" printed centre front in blue and yellow. In the centre of the logo is d drawing of the head of an emu with one eye open and one eye closed. Clothing label identifies the manufacturer - Centavic Clothing, For Embroidery and Screen Printing. Includes Phone and Fax numbers. Size XXL.colonial dance, bush dance, old time dance, emu creek bush band, peter ellis collection

The celebrated EMU CREEK BUSH BAND is a social group, which fosters junior members, has the promotion of authentic Australian Traditional Music as its aim. This is played on acoustic instruments featuring the 'squeezeboxes' i.e. the German system concertinas and button accordions along with fiddle, mandolin or banjo mandolin and whistles. Piano, banjos, guitars, double bass, washboard or lagerphone and drums play rhythm. Based in Central Vitoria. https://www.bendigobushdance.org.au/layout.php?p=1Sky blue windcheater with the logo "The Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band" printed centre front. The Band's symbol of the head of an emu is in a circle enclosed by the Band's name in blue and yellow lettering. Clothing label identifies the manufacturer - "L. Baker,". Includes Phone number. Reverse of label gives care instructions and "Made in Australia".colonial dance, bush dance, old time dance, emu creek bush band, peter ellis collection.

The dance was held on Friday 8th November 1985 at the Port Melbourne Town Hall to celebrate the wind up of Victoria's 150th anniversary celebrations. Cost of admission was $5.00 which included a light supper. White admission ticket with green printing for a 'Grand Old Time Dance' at the Port Melbourne Town Hall.celebration - ball, local government - city of port melbourne, victoria 150 anniversary, port melbourne town hall

The Merry Country Dance, a description and social history of colonial and old time dance and music, published by the Bush dance and music club of Bendigo and district with black & white photographs and illustrations.Peter Ellisperforming arts, elocution, bush dancing, dance, music, musical instruments.

Note from Frances Warren. 'The Dance Card really belonged to George, I think perhaps he did try to learn to dance. Didn't like it very much. Probably about 1935. We didn't have dance cards we just knew the dances and the sets and the Alberts were great fun. With the sets you had to swing and change your partners. If the partners were tall they just had to lift their arms a bit and you were off your feet and around you would go. Great fun.Yellow card folded into thirds Called 'Old Time' Dance Guide x Mullens 5th Edition 6d. Seven set dances. Three Round Dances, Valetta, Schottische, Two Step Printed instructions for these dances.documents, programmes

Photograph - black and white. Sailor's Set from Epsom Reading Rooms (now Antiques shop). Mary Bourke (nee Dixon) - top middle, Scottish, Irish, Old Time Dancing. Photo's from Peter Ellis.sailor's set, epsom., mary bourke (dixon). sailor's set.

Parry CollectionOld Time Dances, Charity Ball Memorabilia and War Savings Stamp Folder a. Eaglehawk Dahlia and Arts Festival Gala Charity Ball, Eaglehawk Town Hall Friday March 19th 1982, judges names and program, small yellow printed folder. b. Bendigo Old Time Dance Club first old time ball program at the Spring Gully Hall 1976 with the Merrymakers Orchestra. Blue folded program. c. Spring Gully Debutante Ball 1978 white and purple coloured program. d. Invitation to the Dedication of the Bendigo Seventh Day Adventist Church. e. Invitation Envelope f. War Saving Stamps folder contains one six pence stamp. history, bendigo, old time dances, war saving stamps, merle lummis collection

Organised by Peter Ellis and Shirley Andrews following on for the National Folk Festival in Melbourne. It featured old time dances and folk dances MC'd by Peter Ellis.A program from the Grand Colonial Ball at the Woodville Town Hall in South Australia on pale orange card with brown text. The card features a couple dancing in a frame that reads Adelaide Colonials. The bands playing were the Gawler Town Band and Enfield City Band. Year unspecified. Card is folded in half to make a booklet. On the inside is a list of the dances.emu creek bush band, adeliade colonials, gawler town band, enfield city band, woodville, australian colonial dance

The National Folk Festival was first held in Melbourne in 1967 and thereafter was held in various cities throughout Australia. In 1992 it became a permanent fixture in Canberra and is held each year over Easter. 1. Colin Silk was born in Geelong 31/1/1920 and developed his interest in Old Time Dancing in his early teens. He and his wife moved to Bendigo in 1946 where they both continued their love of dance, also becoming teachers. Colin was responsible for the building of the Lockwood Sth. Hall in 1966 and the Sutton Grange Hall. He and Harry Wiegard MC'd dances at Lockwood for 40 years. He died 10/8/2011. 2. Henry (Harry) Wiegard, (1918 - 8/10/2002) began dancing as a young man primarily at the St Killians Hall in Bendigo. He also travelled to Melbourne to undertake more advanced training in Old Time Dances. He MC'd and called dances throughout the district for over 20 years.A country music dance program from the Canberra Folk Festival in 1995. The program is printed on pale blue card with black text and features an illustration of a man and a woman dancing. on the reverse side is a list of dances. The Masters of Ceremonies were Colin Silk and Harry Wiegard and the band was the Gay Charmers from Northern Victoria.emu creek bush band, australian colonial dance, canberra folk festival, gay charmers band, colin silk, harry wiegard

Green covered history of dances, The Dance Program, Musical Forms and Dance Examples and Celtic Music Forms. Dance Programs include the Eighteenth Century, the Nineteenth Century, the Twentieth Century, the 50/50 Dance, the Old Time Dance the New Vogue Dance, Decline of the Set Dance, the Contemporary Program and Old Time and New Vogue and musical time signatures. Collected by Peter N Ellis and dated 23 June 1992. On the front are sketches of two emus playing musical instruments and a koala and a wombat dancing. The name Bush Dance & Music Club of Bendigo Inc. is printed on a banner below the illustration.clubs, music, bush dance & music club of bendigo, peter ellis collection, bush dance & music club of bendigo, john williams, peter n ellis, michael treacy

A4 sheet white printer paper with 8 newspaper clippings glued on. Handwritten note reads: Death notices for Peter Ellis - Bendigo Advertiser Wed 20th - Saturday 23rd May 2015. Death Notices. Ellis - Peter OAM. Our college community pays tribute to Peter, a highly respected former staff member and ex-student. He was a highly valued and supportive colleague, mentor and friend. Peter will be remembered for his wealth of scientific knowledge, his love of the natural environment and his contribution to the local and state Lab Technicians Associations. - Principal, staff and Students of Bendigo Senior Secondary College. City of Greater Bendigo. Ellis- Peter. A gentle man with a wonderful passion for Greater Bendigo's natural, built and musical heritage, Peter will be greatly missed by the Greater Bendigo Heritage Advisory Committee. He willingly shared his love and knowledge of the rich and unique heritage around us. Ellis - Peter Nicolaus OAM. You went so quickly. I will miss our trips to Festivals doing crosswords on the way. My sympathy to both families and Brian a great mate to the last. A void impossible to fill. - Mary Smith. Ellis- Peter OAM. A tribute to our intrepid band leader of 34 years who took us on an unforgettable musical journey of preserving and teaching the traditions of dance and music to old and young throughout Australia. You are irreplaceable ' Dirty Pierre' - Past and present members of the celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band. Ellis - Peter OAM. Founder and leader of Emu Creek Bush Band. Australia's largest collector of dancing history. A great friend taken far too young. Au revoir 'Dirty Pierre' - John and Sue Williams. Ellis - Peter OAM. Thanks Pete, you introduced me to a life of extraordinary experiences, amazing friendships, dance and music. We did have some fun. - Marg Hogan. Ellis - Peter. We are so saddened by your passing. Your music and great sense of humour will remain with us. - Wedderburn Old Timers Band. Ellis - Peter. A friend of many years. We will remember your warmth, humour and tireless pursuit to preserve the Natural Environment of Bendigo. Your love and knowledge of the Bendigo Flora was inspirational. - Mary and Patrick Ward. Ellis- Peter. A music and dance man with a warm appreciation and encouragement of diverse talent. - Winzar boys. Death Notices. Ellis - Peter. Greatly respected and loved by his many friends in the traditional music and dance movement across Australia. His achievements were many and he will be missed. - The Traditional Social Dance Association of Victoria. Ellis - Peter. The Bendigo Historical Society is saddened at the passing of fine musician and friend Peter Ellis. - Committee and members, Bendigo Historical Society. Ellis- Peter. A talented musician and long time friend who was always willing to help us. - Members of Euro fest Choir and Inc. Ellis - Peter. Friend and neighbour, nature's gentleman at rest. Sincere sympathy to Robyn, Rick, Ryan and Doug. - Judy Monti. Ellis- Peter OAM Fond memories of 28 years with the band. Sadly Missed. - Stan and Heather Symes. Death Notices. Ellis - Peter OAM Pete, a much loved friend of many years. We fondly remember your knowledge, humour and those great times together, especially in the bush. Deeply missed. - Rob and Glen Moors. Death Notices. Ellis- Peter. Fond memories, so sadly missed. Keep playing your music Peter. Loved cousin Cheryl and families. Ellis -Peter. Loved cousin of Sandra and Phil Jubber and families. Deeply Missed. Ellis - Peter. A long term member of the Bendigo Field Naturalist Club. Deepest sympathy to his friends, he will be sadly missed by all. Ellis - Peter. Leader of the 'Celebrated Emu Creek Bush Band' Memories of lots of great times playing and travelling all over. We learned so much about dancing and music and it just won't be the same. - Don and Julie. Ellis - Peter. Much loved friend, dancer and band leader. - Dianne and Doug Pearse. Death Notices. Ellis - Peter. Peter, you gave so much laughter and happiness to many, many people through your lovely nature and your brilliant music to listen to and dance to. You have left a legacy of music, books and dance as well as unforgettable memories. Rest in peace. - Diana Austin. Death Notices Ellis Peter 27/3/1946 - 18/5/2015 Formerly of Emu Creek Bush Band and the Wedderburn Old Timers). Passed away suddenly at Bendigo Hospice. Loved son of Joan and Allan Nielsen (both Dec). Loving brother of Robyn and Doug. Brother-in-law of Rick and Uncle of Ryan and the extended family. Let the music play on… For Funeral arrangements see later edition. Death Notices. Ellis - Peter Nicolaus O.A.M. Suddenly. An inaugural member of the Bush Dance and Music Club and the Emu Creek Bush Band. A much loved friend, dance instructor and musician. Very generous with his time and knowledge. Passionate collector of dance music and old time dances. Will be sadly missed by all who knew him. - Devastated dance members. Ellis- Peter. OAM 27/3/46 - 18/5/15 Passed away peacefully after a brief illness. Much loved and irreplaceable brother, cousin and uncle to the Lilford, Datson, Burns, Shaw and Kitch families. You enriched our lives. No words can express how much we will miss you. Ellis Pierre (Peter) You were as much a father to me as an uncle. I never told you that or how much I looked up to you. You will be sadly missed - Boswald ( Ryan). Ellis - Peter. We are going to miss our Monday night dinners before rehearsal. A lover of fine wine, good food and great music. Pierre, our Maestro and fearless band leader, we will miss the sound of your squeeze box and your passion for the music. - Paul and Alida Robinson, Emu Creek Bush Band. Ellis - Peter. A close friend colleague, musician, authority on native plants and colonial music researcher. An enormous influence in preserving early Australian dance and dance music. We will all miss you Pete. - Jill and Graeme Balaam. Funeral Notices Ellis. A service of thanksgiving for the life of the late Mr Peter Nicolaus Ellis will be held at the Mulqueen Family Chapel, 15-25 Bridge street, Bendigo on MONDAY (May 25) at 11.00am. A private cremation will follow. Tributes can be left at www.heavenaddress.com Mulqueen Family 15-25 Bridge street, Bendigo Est. 1853 5443 4455.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