Initial Steps that lead to the formation of the Australian Board of Highland Dancing Inc.

In the early 1950s two Highland Dancing Associations were formed with the common object of introducing uniform technique into Highland Dancing, judging and dress similar to that of the newly formed Scottish Official Board of highland Dancing in Scotland. These associations were the Scottish Dancing Association of Australia (SDAA) and the National Dancing Association of Australasia (NDAA) both of which remain relevant examining bodies in various states of Australia to this day.

Highland Dancing was flourishing in other states of Australia, especially Victoria. However, due to infrequent public transport and the high costs involved with travel across the vast areas of Australia at that time one could have been on another planet. The Victorian Scottish Dancing Association (VSDA) was formed on the 3rd August 1954 and was striving to follow SOBHD technique also. The VSDA is still functioning strongly to this day in Victoria and has been examining body for a long period of time.

With distance, cost and time re travel between Scotland and Australia being prohibited and communication with the SOBHD in early years most difficult due to the slowness of all overseas mail systems at that time, trying to achieve conformity within Highland Dancing was almost impossible.

Scottish Dancing Association of Australia (SDAA)

It was Mr John Cousins and Mrs Doris Stokes (both respected teachers and judges of the time) and Miss Maree Fairfield (Allen) a dancer and competitor and assistant teacher with Mr Cousins, who initiated the first meeting of the SDAA in the early 1950s which resulted in the formation of the Scottish Dancing Association of New South Wales on the 5th August 1953, which later became the Scottish Dancing Association of Australia. Medal tests in Highland Dancing were introduced shortly thereafter. Miss Fairfield (Allen), now a respected judge and a long serving member of various Highland Dancing committees, was the first Secretary of the association and is a Foundation and Life Member of the SDAA.

National Dancing Association of Australasia (NDAA)

The inaugural meeting of the NDAA was held in 1951 in Sydney with Mrs Vera Lacey as Director and Mrs Dorothy Kerr BEM, the Honorary Secretary at that time. The first Highland Dancing examinations held within Australia were conducted by the NDAA and were demonstrated initially to approximately fifty local teachers in May 1952. In setting up the syllabi it was decided that technique must be as per the technique set down by the SOBHD and contain theory questions for all grades. Mrs Kerr remained the Secretarial office of the NDAA up until her retirement in 1999.

It was due to the foresight of persons connected to these two associations that the initial meetings were instigated, which led to the formation of the Australian Board of Highland Dancing, incorporated, as it is known today.