Cane Country Squares

We finally got there. Graduation night for class 2 of 2025 was held on Tuesday 28th of July 2026. 

Our graduating dancers were presented with their certificates and posed for photos for the cutting of the cake. Along with the dancing we played a couple of games of celebrity heads. Yes Sandy, you are a local celebrity.

The class took a little longer to get through the 50 movements, with some people being away for holidays or illness, and then after we had just got back into dancing after the Christmas and New Year break, we had the flood through our Targo Street Hall.

We had a fun night with two squares on the floor for most of the night, finishing the last dance of the night with a 6 couple rectangle.

More photos from the night will be in our 2026 photo gallery shortly.

Our next learner classes, starting with three come and try nights, will be Tuesday 18th of August.

 July 2026 fun theme nights, Rebels and Outlaws were held on Tuesday 14/7/26 and Friday 17/7/26.

We had a number of pirates show up, 1920’s gangsters and Rebel tricycle club members. 

Numbers were down a bit with some away due to illness and others away on holidays. Instead of two squares we danced some of the night in a rectangle formation with six couples. 

Those on holidays will be back in time for their graduation night on the 28th of July.

On Friday night, in addition to gangsters, bikies and pirates we had a number of outlaw cowboys and girls. Three visitors from the Hervey Bay Square Dance Club also came for our theme night.

We got two squares on the floor before supper but my video recording failed. More photos of both nights can be found on our 2026 Photo Gallery page.

There is no local theme night in August as we start planning our trips to Deception Bay for the 42nd QCA Qld State Square Dance Convention from the 7th to the 9th of August. For their Theme Night, Colours – RED, WHITE & BLUE or YOUR HIGHWAY TO FUN and Dress in Travel Theme.

On Saturday afternoon, 11th of July 2026, Matthew Mills was the guest caller for the Christmas in July dance hosted by the Hervey Bay Square Dance Club.

The event was held at their regular dance hall at Dan Dinna House, 459 Boat Harbour Drive. Matt alternated brackets for new and full Mainstream levels. With two to three squares on the floor all afternoon from 2 till 5pm.

There was around 12 to 16 visiting with 7 dancers from Cane Country Squares. We were also surprised with Nev and Bev McLachlan visiting from Suncoasters. 

The break for supper included an amazing spread of sweet and savoury treats. Three lucky door prizes were drawn and Cane Country Squares resident poet, Sandy, read a humorous Christmas poem.

Hervey Bay Square Dancer, Eileen was celebrating her 95th Birthday, dancing with a great smile and more energy than much younger dancers. Eileen cut her birthday cake and was presented with a gift by the Hervey Bay Square Dance Club.

As a visiting dancer, I really enjoyed the welcoming friendly atmosphere and the opportunity to get my Christmas outfit some extra wear. The weather was also perfect for a day trip to Hervey Bay.

For those dancing at Cane Country Squares this week, remember our theme nights on Tuesday and Friday, Rebels and Outlaws.

This months theme night was a big hit with lots of dancers getting creative with our Sports theme. On Tuesday 16th the Mainstream and Learners group had two squares of sports themed dancers.

We had tennis, golf, table tennis and bike riding gear, fishing shirts, active wear and lots of sport supporter outfits. Then there was the next level of creative with Hobby Horsing Sandy and Jo L dressed as a giant soccer ball.

Matt had fun trying to call movements that Sandy would find tricky managing hand holds and her hobby horse.

The horse and the giant ball outfit were retired after the first set but there was lots of smiles and laughter all night.

On the 19th the Friday Old Mainstream / Plus group had their go at the Sports theme. We had a lot of people away on the night so numbers were down a bit. Jo L still dressed in her inflated ball for the first dance which made us smile.

We began our slightly chilly morning on the 7th of June at 9am for Cane Country Squares AGM. The meeting was all done by 9:30am with all returning to the same positions. This gave us a bit of time for socialising and to look through the donated square dance clothing before we started our social dance at 10am.

Kepnock hall is a fantastic space with plenty of room on an excellent wooden floor. With seven dancers joining us from Hervey Bay we had enough to make around 2 and a half squares.

It was a very enjoyable morning dancing with Matt calling Mainstream and one bracket of Plus. Thanks Jo L and those who helped her in the kitchen for the morning tea with some lovely dips, cakes and biscuits.

Matt called our last dance bracket of the morning for six couples while others helped to clean up in the kitchen or pack up the clothing.

We look forward to seeing some of the Hervey Bay dancers again this Friday, at our Hall at 89 Targo Street, to learn more of the new 2026 Plus movement.

Our next theme nights are in June, Tuesday 16 from 6 – 8:30pm for the Mainstream Sports Theme Night and Friday 19th from 6:30 – 9:30pm Old MS & Plus Sports Theme.

This years Heart Health Fund Raiser was held on Tuesday 19th of May 2026. It was originally scheduled for Sunday 10th of May until we realised it was Mothers Day. $400 was raised to help fund the Heart Support Walking Track.

We had more than enough attending to have two squares dance most of the night and even got in one set for the Plus level dancers.

The hall was decorated and everyone dressed in red or with a heart theme and it goes without saying, Matt was wearing his heart suit. The jacket hung behind him for most of the night but he put it on for a extra few photos.

Dancers bought along small plates to share for supper. Jo L requested the supper contributions, keeping a heart theme, could be treats to make your heart happy, not necessarily heart healthy snacks. The raffle for the night was a huge fruit tray, won by Karen, Ella drew the lucky door prize to go home to Ginna and Jo R was sitting under the white board to pick up the lucky spot prize. As part of our event night, Sandy also read us a humous poem.

You may have noticed a second camera set up on the night with a practice run on the previous Friday. The hope is to make our YouTube videos of theme nights and training more interesting with cuts between different camera angles. It will take a little while to get the hang of new editing software so tonight’s videos are not online yet. The Gallery Photos are ready to view at https://canecountrysquares.blogspot.com/p/photo-gallery-2026.html

Our next event is our AGM and Sunday Social Dance on 7th of June at 42 Totten St. Kepnock Hall. The AGM starts at 9am and the Social Dance starts at 10am.

Our Mainstream group had their Easter or Mad Hatter theme night on Tuesday 7th April 2026.

Easter hats were the predominate choice of the night, given we have just returned to dance after Easter. Those that didn’t want to make or buy their own mad hats could borrow one from the front table for the night.

Jo L bought in some home made Easter cup cakes for dancers to have with their tea or coffee.

Learners are now at around 40 of the 50 movements into the 2026 Mainstream program. Recordings on the night have become the start of a course list of videos on our YouTube Channel. https://www.youtube.com/@canecountrysquares

If you want to review any Mainstream Movements check our list here. There are 5 movements listed so far but we intend to build this to the cover the full Mainstream level.

Check out Cane Country Squares website photo gallery page for more photos of the Tuesday and Friday theme nights. https://canecountrysquares.blogspot.com/p/photo-gallery-2026.html

Fridays theme night was on 10/4/26. With quite a few away, we were just short of two squares of Plus alternated with the old Mainstream program.

Towards the end of the night Adrian had a go at dancing the right hand, traditional ladies side. He did an excellent job with quick corrections to the different direction a lady or man turns in some movements.

The Promenade was easy enough but for a first go, a Swing and extra twirls looked a bit a awkward.

Videos from Friday night should be uploaded to our YouTube Channel next week.

Remember our Sunday Social Dance is tomorrow 12/4/26 from 10am at the Kepnock Hall, 42 Totten Street.

No need to dress up. If you are after some Square Dance clothing for other events, Cane Country Squares donated outfits will be available for the morning. 

The 2026 calendar has given us extra Friday 13ths marking our traditional Black Friday theme.

February we danced in our home hall at 89 Targo Street on Friday 13/2/26 with our Plus dancers alternating with the old Mainstream Program.

Sunday 8th of March was our next theme dance with our 43rd Birthday Celebration for all dance levels at Kepnock Hall. See the previous story for more photos.

Following the Birthday Dance we had planned to returned to our home hall for our regular Tuesday dancing. As a number of new dancers couldn’t make the Sunday dance, Jo L had saved half our Club Birthday cake for them to share. Jo R was also going to take the clubs donated skirts in by request. 

Monday, a major flood warning was in place for the Burnett River. 

Just after 8:30am on Tuesday 10/3/26 Bundaberg Regional Council messaged people in Bundaberg North, South, Central and East to prepare to leave with the Burnett River expected to reach 7 meters by 3pm rising to 7.5 metres overnight.

When the Burnett River reaches 7.00 m the Tallon and Burnett Bridges are closed.

By 9:30am Tuesday 10/3/26 the water was over the drain at the back of our hall and dancing was cancelled.

Unfortunately low areas of Bundaberg were flooded and our hall at 89 Targo Street had some water through it but nothing like the level of the 2013 flood. The photos above were taken around 8:30am Wednesday 11/3/26.

Kepnock Hall was available for Friday Night, which was another Friday 13th. Kepnock Hall is not available on any other weeknight so we started at 6pm to accommodate all Tuesday and Friday Dance levels.

A few Tuesday dancers made it. Not all regular Friday dancers could get there but plenty of those who did still  remembered it was a Black Friday Theme.

For supper we had the left over Birthday Cake.

This 15/3/26, Sunday morning photo of the Targo St Hall shows the water is gone but the clean up is still a work in progress. We will keep you updated as the Rum City Silver Band Hall committee lets us know when we can return.

This is also our first time using the hall on Totten street, on a Sunday for all groups to combine in a social dance.

The hall was decorated in our club colours of Aussie Green and Gold with dancers also dressing in club colours.

Matt called to suit all levels of those attending and included a Plus bracket. A video of the signing call has been uploaded to our You Tube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@canecountrysquares.

Some of our most enthusiastic new members were chosen to cut the birthday cake. 

We also had the club’s donated square dance clothing for anyone wanting to get some new outfits. The volume of items available are not practical to get out for every dance night, but the Kepnock Hall has plenty of space. 

If anyone is looking for something in particular, let Jo R know and it can be brought in to the next dance. The skirts will be available at this coming Tuesday dance by request.

After the supper break, when a number of dancers were still cleaning up, Sandy started dancing in the second square on her own. It was not long before the complete set was filled.

For more photos and videos of the mornings dancing, check out our 2026 Photo Galley and 2026 Video Library on our website.

Check out our Event Calendar page for coming theme nights and important dates. 

This Friday 13th is another Black Friday Theme. 

Remember there is no dancing on Good Friday, April 3rd.

Our following theme nights are the Easter Bonnet / Mad Hatter Nights on Tuesday, April 7th and Friday, April 10th.

Our next Social Dance is on Sunday, April 12th at Kepnock Hall from 10am till 12.

It has been a busy week of dancing with all dance levels starting in February, 2026. 

The first group back was the fast track Plus learners on Monday 2nd, Mainstream on Tuesday 3rd, Plus dancing on Friday 6th and A level on Sunday 8th.

Tuesday continued to alternate with 2 squares on the floor for the current learners and 1 square swapping with extra dancers for the completed 2025 program. 

Matt also started teaching the dancers updates to the new 50 movement, Mainstream program.

With a few people still away, Friday Plus level night had almost 2 squares all night, swapping dancers to give everyone some dance time. After one late arrival we got a full 2 squares of Mainstream on the floor.

Friday Nights are still alternating with the old Mainstream program, at least until this years Queensland State Convention at Deception Bay from the 7th – 9th of August 2026.

The 2026 Queensland State Convention website is https://2026qssdc.weebly.com/

Plenty of Cane Country Squares Dancers will be attending, so we will not be dancing in Bundaberg on Friday 7th of August. Early bird pricing is still available if you haven’t got your weekend ticket yet.

This coming Friday the 13th is our first theme night of the year. Dress in Black and confuse Matt.

Sunday 15th Cane Country Squares will have a stall at the BRC Move It Expo at the Bundaberg Multiplex from 10am till 1pm.

Our first Event for this year is our Club’s 43rd Birthday Dance on Sunday 8th of March from 10am till 12pm.

Remember this will be at the bigger, Kepnock Hall at 42 Totten Street. We hope to see dancers from all groups attending. There will be cake! Dress in our Club colours of Aussie Green and Gold (yellow). 

Square Dance outfits are not required, but if you want to grab yourself some donated attire, we will have plenty on offer on the day.