Community & Business
18 August, 2025
Having a ball in Wonderland
Dancers came dressed in their best whimsical costumes to the Jondaryan Woolshed last Friday night for an Alice in Wonderland-themed ball.
A healthy crowd attended the event, with dancers travelling from as far away as Back Plains, Dunmore and Kingaroy.
They whittled away the night performing a range of routines including:
- Canadian Three Step
- Waltzes (Parma, Oxford, Kings and Swing)
- Pride of Erin
- Gypsy Tap
- Evening Three Step
Judges Anne Teakle (Jondaryan) and Carolyn Tillman (Dalby, and a former Western Downs Regional Councillor) had a tough choice for best dressed, but picked Paul Schutt (Dalby), Marilyn Meacle (Toowoomba), Janice Erb (Dalby) and Harold Kowitz (Mount Irving) as the most outstanding on the night.
Music was provided by stalwarts Jeanette Kummerow (Formartin) on button accordion and Valerie Mason (Oakey), on the keyboard.
One family who impressed with their costumes was mum Shay Yeats from Kingaroy and children Preston, Maycie and Laina, who would have easily won a family category if there was such a prize.
At 10.30pm, supper was served, a delicious array of cakes, sandwiches, cheerios and party pies, washed down with tea and coffee.
All food donations were provided by members of the Friends of the Jondaryan Woolshed, who hosted the evening, which concluded shortly after midnight, with attendees tired, but full of adrenaline following a night of entertainment.
The event took place at the Woolshed’s Flagstone Creek Hall, which hosts dances four times a year.
Old-time dancing is still a popular pursuit in the Central-Eastern Downs.
Aside from Flagstone Creek, dances are held monthly at Gowrie Little Plain, Bowenville and St. Ruth halls, as well as fortnightly at Westbrook.
With no regular events at Dalby, dancers from that town are regulars at the St. Ruth, Jondaryan and Bowenville events.
The next Flagstone Creek Hall dance is the Annual Ball, which is being hosted by the Friends on Friday 14th November.
Attire is formal.
