Whakatane Swing Club’s First Social Evening

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 50, 28 May 1948, Page 5

Whakatane Swing Club’s First Social Evening

On Tuesday evening in the Parish Hall a most successful social was held by the newly-formed Whakatane Swing Club. Approximately 70 enthusiastic members and intending members enjoyed a varied and novel programme consisting of dancing and musical items.

The Patron of the Club, Dr A. W. Fletcher Cole, in an appropriate speech thanked those present for their support and expressed the hope that the club would grow in numbers and enthusiasm and fill a useful place in the social life of Whakatane.

The aims and objects of the club were very fully covered by the president, Mr F. Burt, who pointed out the need for a local club that catered for modern youth more particularly in the matter of promoting a better understanding of modern music and musical arrangements. At the conclusion of his explanation of the aims and objects of the club, the president introduced Mr J. Rae, a visitor from Wellington, who gave some of his experiences in the formation of Youth Clubs in both Auckland and Wellington during the war. He stressed the need for teamwork in every kind of club and the advantages of having the goodwill and support of more elderly people. A considerable factor in the success of the evening was the inclusion in the programme of several dance numbers, the music for which was supplied by a special orchestra of seven local musicians, and for which Mr Max Comer very ably acted as M.C.

A short session of modern swing records of varying types was also given, the records being brought along for the occasion by the members of the club. A light supper concluded a rtfost enjoyable evening.