Kay's Square Dance Calling Profile (2023)
Kay started Square Dancing in her teens in 1969 with Eric Wendell’s Wheeling Eights, at Milton, Brisbane. Eric was the first one to introduce Kay to calling. He asked her to enter a caller's competition within the club and gave Kay her first record, "I Walk The Line". There were two people in this contest and Kay came 2nd !
Kay then started buying a few records but only called at home. She was more singing than calling and had no intention of calling to dancers. This all changed in 1984 when Kay met Brian Horsey, who was calling for a group of dancers in a private home and he invited Kay to call for them. The same year he began to teach Kay to call and also encouraged her to enter the Amateur Callers contest at the Sunshine State Roundup in 1985. Despite being extremely nervous, Kay won the Open Ladies Division.
In 1986 Brian Horsey and Kay started a club together, Uniting Squares at Kenmore. As a trainee caller Kay's confidence was boosted and she learnt much from this experience over the following years. Kay has attended many caller schools and caller conferences conducted by renowned callers like Brian Hotchkies and Steve Turner. When possible Kay participates in caller training sessions conducted by the Queensland Callers Association and the Australian Callers Federation.
Currently Kay is the regular caller for the following Brisbane and Ipswich clubs:Previous clubs where Kay was either the regular caller or a relieving caller for an extended period:
Kay is often the guest callers at intrastate clubs and many Brisbane clubs. Kay
also calls at National and State Conventions when possible.
Highlights of Kay's calling career include: