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The Silver Gliders
with
Phil Crawshaw
THE SILVER GLIDERS DANCE CLUB
Who are, and what is the Silver Gliders Dance Club? I would like to begin by going back to mid 1998 where it all began at Dora Creek Workers Club.
At the time the plan was proposed to me by Phil Dustin of the Dora Creek Workers Club as a trial dance of 3 hours on a Thursday afternoon, every week for 3 months. After 3 months we had a large following, of course we were all a bit younger then too, and the Club decided to keep going with Thursday afternoon dance.
A year later, Garry, at that time the Secretary Manger suggested that we should name our Dance Group as we were then known as the “Golden Oldies”, but as there was another group known as the “Golden Oldies” operating in the Maitland area, Garry, Phil, Keith Young (our little sub club’s own Secretary) and I put it to our Dance Members to come up with a name in the form of a competition. Out of the 50 or so names presented “The Silver Gliders Dance Club was born. Garry then officially made The Silver Gliders an official sub-club of the mother club – Dora Creek Workers Club.
As a dance group it was decided by the dancers themselves they would like some form of badge, one of our members Ray Reynolds came up with the design of the now Silver Gliders Badge, the badge features a single wing of glider pilot and a portrait of a dancing couple. The badge has had a great effect on all who come to the dances as t does reinforce the social aspects of the club and demonstrates to all that we are a close knit social group.
Not only do we have great celebrations such as Debutant Balls, Hawaiian Nights and even celebrating theme days and dress ups on special days such as Australia Day, St. Patricks Day, Easter etc but we also share the sad times as well when one of our “Gliders” finally earns their full set of wings, we remember and celebrate their life and support each other through sickness and at the times and sadness.
Once a year the Silver Gliders travel to the Workers Resort at Urunga (near Coffs Harbour) where we enjoy parties at the Resort and Day Trips to Coffs and surrounding areas doing the Touristy things, and have been known to raid other dance clubs and have earned the reputation of being a well heeled group of lively dances who enjoy life to the fullest. We have also taken to the high seas with cruise trips to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand .
Over the time we have lost a few of our members due to ill health, moving interstate or moving away from the area to be closer to their families in their twilight years, but when they can, they always come “home” for a visit. The social interaction and caring for one another is what makes this dance club unique and now we find our older generation is being joined by the next generation following in their “dance” steps.
In the years to come I see the friendships growing, the fun continuing and the support for each other being fostered by a very special and unique dance club brought about by the Staff and Managers of Dora Creek Workers Club and a continuation of the opportunity to enjoy life whether it be through dancing or just seeking social company.
I cannot express in a few words what the Silver Gliders as members have given to me, and I take great pride and joy in seeing our numbers increasing weekly on the dance floor.
Regards
Phil Crawshaw
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