Shirley Andrews interviewed by Geri Lobl [sound recording]

Shirley Andrews speaks of her association with the folk movement and folk dancing in Australia. She describes her introduction to dancing; involvement with the Unity Dance Group; the Folklore Society of Australia; rising interest in Australian folklore; New Theatre; Reedy River musical; original Bushwackers Band; Folklore Society of Victoria; Victorian Folk Music Club and the lack of written sources for dance steps. She describes her collecting trip to Corryong Valley; revival movements of British dancing; social class and dance; origins of steps; social dances misnamed "bush dances" and matching tunes with dances. She discusses the large volume of published music available in early years; the speed of tunes; typical Australian dances; regional variations in steps; snobbishness in dancing circles; standardisation of steps; the establishment of National Folk Festivals; composition of first bush bands and step dancing.