We sometimes called it Folk Dancing, at other times Country Dancing. I don’t know how much resemblance there is between the dance that these children are doing and true folk dancing.. But this is what these school children were taught in 1970 for a display at their annual school fete.
So from home movie to tape to DVD to computer and the gradual loss of quality this is what the St John’s Lutheran School fete looked like in Geelong in 1970, beginning with a display of folk dancing.
The music is Percy Grainger’s Country Gardens.
Other examples of dancing and folk traditions among many other things can be found on Sepia Saturday.
Bound for Australia 
A very creative way to match the theme, and Percy Grainger, being Australian, makes a perfect accompaniment.
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Unless I’m mistaken (?), that’s the Virginia Reel the kids are doing. It’s certainly one of the dances I did in my folk dancing group. Looks like they were having a lot of fun otherwise, as well. Fun post.
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Thanks, I went to YouTube and had a look at some Virginia Reels and yes it does look like it. I think for the children they may have just used and repeated the first part instead of all the movements. Probab;ly made it easier for them to remember.
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Great post. Love the music and cinematography 🙂
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Oh happy days. We used to call it ‘Country Dancing’ when I was at school and it always reminds me of wet Friday afternoons in the hall! Great fun.
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I sure love a fun dance too! Very nice.
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Not sure about the bags on their heads part, but looks like everybody was moving fast and having a ball. Which puts it right on target for the suffergett ball prompt.
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They were the children’s interpretation of a mask. I suppose for some of the children it was easiest just to draw a face on a paper bag and stick it over their head to make a mask !
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For PT, we did folk dancing too…clogging and the Highland Fling. I enjoyed this clip very much.
Do you they still dance in schools or is it politically incorrect?
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Aw that’s so cool. I really should get our vhs tapes redone into something “modern.” But wow, loss of quality makes 1970 certainly seem like a long time ago.
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A great clip to match the theme. Took me back to my school days where we did country dancing and folk dancing – I loved the music and the swirling of skirts.
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Now that was fun.
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Something Very Satisfying To Know That Their Dance Was Preserved.
Yes, I think They Are Folk Dancing.
An Earlier Generation Would Have Made Up Such Movements OnTheir Street Corners.
Today?
Do Children Even Dance Anymore?Its So dificult to both move & facebook at the same time!
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I hated school folk dancing, we did it when we had combined days with other small schools in our area. One of the schools had lots of bullys, so it was never much fun.
Shame, your clip makes it look like it should have been fun.
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It’s nice that the movie has been preserved. It’s fun seeing the children having fun.
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