A call for the return of the dance nights

Many of you may have vague memories.

The rest of us have only heard as our grandparents reminisced about the old-time local dances.

My grandparents met the loves of their lives at these events and would still, until they passed, buried side-by-side, recite what wonderful times they had in their dancing years.

Many tales were mostly sentimental recollections of joyous occasions, so simply centred around dancing and playing cards.

Each time any of my grandparents would talk about these events, I felt it was such a shame that the dances were lost before our generation.

Only recently I had the revelation — they don’t have to be.

Hence, the call for the return of the dance nights.

The concept was simple.

You’d bring a plate for supper, enjoy live music, dance and socialise.

Importantly, for better or worse, these events kept communities connected.

Fast-forward to present 2025.

We’re faced with alarming statistics on loneliness, anxiety and depression.

In Australia, where many people are so fortunate to have all they could want, they are severely lacking a basic human need: connection.

Social media does not count.

Social media does not hold a candle to physical engagement.

Much of the younger generation can speak to a video camera for their YouTube followers with the skill level of a live television presenter.

Yet, they struggle with basic in-person interactions.

Meanwhile, the most valuable assets in our communities, those who’ve more life experience than we’ll possibly ever need to have, are sitting quietly in their nursing homes, feeling inadequate and forgotten.

Intergenerational relationships are, in my opinion, not only special, but essential.

We each have something to teach.

My four-year-old teaches me almost as much as the 90-year-olds I’m lucky to still have in my life.

Equally, I take interest in the lives of my local pals with identities far beyond their occupations.

These include farmers, vets, lawyers, trades, carers, politicians, teachers, retirees — the lot.

We may all seem very different, yet there is so much we have in common.

We might find that, if we are just put in the same room together.

Times are tough and there is so much devastation around the world at present.

It can feel overwhelming and unbearable.

When I look to history for how people got through wartimes and depressions, they banded together.

So perhaps we could look at adopting one of the most ancient rituals, in turning to your tribe, your community for security, comfort and a sense of belonging.

Throw a dance night!

We’re kicking off the very first of what we hope to be monthly social nights this Saturday in Avenel.

Please consider adapting the initiative for your communities.

Perhaps we could put heads together and each town play host on a different week of the month, as we do with the markets.

A lot of the younger generation may not have learned ballroom dances.

So we’re holding free casual classes for all ages and abilities, to learn simple steps.

Our local Avenel Memorial Hall is getting a little glam-up thanks to local volunteers and the generous support of the Seymour Bunnings team.

We are excitedly working on a new initiative aiming to remove financial barriers around learning musical instruments, developing self-esteem, expression and communication skills for Avenel and the wider community.

Wish us luck, and if you’re about Avenel, come along.

Join us for a fun, relaxed evening of live music, dancing, cards, board games, table tennis and community connection.

Whether you’re nine or 90, there’s something for everyone.

All welcome, no cover charge.

Donations welcome — they will go towards future programs.

All-ages social night

Date: Saturday, May 31

Time: 5pm to 8pm

Location: Avenel Memorial Hall

Entry: Free — donations welcome

Dress: Country-hall smart casual or wear Sunday-best

Bring: If you can, a plate for supper and non-alcoholic drinks.