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Social dancing

by National Library of Australia Commons

From the earliest times, we have danced. Whether at community gatherings with dancing, maypole and displays or to mark celebrations, Australians have taken to the dance floor in their droves. The bands! The fashions! The steps! Here are some images from our collection that will take you on a little journey.

16 photos · 592 views

Moya Beaver and Mischa Burlakov dancing on a beach, ca. 1937

[Photograph of four children dancing with woman playing piano during] 10 a.m., music, rhythmic movement, horses and drivers

State School, Fete, Exhibition Building : maypole dance opposite the Royal Box, 1901

Valerie Curnow, Ollie Turnbull, Jean Saunder, Joy Dunstar, Ray Saunder, Bob Hazla, Peter Brockman and Gordon Cox square dancing at the Earls Court ballroom, St Kilda, Victoria, ca. 1950

Couple square dancing in a championship grand final, Prahran, Victoria, ca. 1952

Students of the Melbourne Teachers College square dancing in a championship grand final, Prahran, Victoria, ca. 1952

Dancing in Collins Street, Melbourne, 13 June 1945

The Cavalier Cabaret, Sydney

People dancing at the first night at the Dugout, a dancehall in Melbourne, ca. 1942

A family dancing on a lawn, Gundagai, New South Wales

Ben Hur formation dance, Sydney, ca. 1905

Captain's dinner dance on board the HMS Royal Arthur, Sydney, 4 May 1899

Sheila, Patricia, Prudence, and Mary Chinnery dancing, Melbourne, 1933

[Grania Guinness and Cyril Ritchard in dance pose on the beach]

Polish National Dance Group

The office staff and commissionaire of Australian National Airways were entertained when Barbara Annis and Joan Donnellan, of Silk's ballroom, danced for joy on the counter as they collected tickets for a flight to Sydney;