Dance Competition Winners
Since 1980, the Traditional Social Dance Association of Victoria has hosted the Dance Composer’s Competition, where new social dances are created, taught and judged live at the Festival. Festivalgoers take the floor to learn each entry, with two prize categories: Best General Social Dance and Best Dance for More Experienced Dancers. Independent presenters guide the session, coordinated by a national callout for original Australian folk dance compositions.
Winners 2026
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Tunnel Vision | Peter Foster | Link |
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Dance of the Jabiru | Cecilia Johnson | Link |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Newly Weds | Patricia George | |
| Honourable Mention – General Social Dance | A.C.T. Whim | Jane Bullock | |
| Honourable Mention – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Hewlett’s Waltz | Peter Foster |
Winners 2025
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | The Murray Princess | Cecilia Johnson | Link |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Stellar Promenade | Peter Foster | |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Lightning Ridge Opals | Keith Wood |
Winners 2023
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Summer Evening Waltz | Peter Foster | Link |
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | The Albert Cotillion | Cecilia Johnson | |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Compass | Peter Foster | |
| Honourable Mention – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Cabbage Tree Hat | Keith Wood | Link |
Winners 2018
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Green Apple Quickstep | Keith Wood | Link |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Eureka | Keith Wood | Link |
Winners 2017
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Mary’s Lament | Peter Gamble |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Yarralinka | Kathy Potter |
Winners 2016
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | On Christmas Day in the Morning | Norm Ellis | |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Wide Brown Land | Keith Wood | Link |
Winners 2014
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Black Swan Waltz Quadrille | Keith Wood | Link |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Rottnest Ferry | John Short | |
| Honourable Mention – General Social Dance | Trip to Rottnest | Keith Wood | Link |
| Honourable Mention – General Social Dance | Waltz for Ann | Peter Gamble |
Winners 2013
| Competition | Dance | Winner | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | The Can-Can Quadrille | Stephen Bullock | Link |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Royal Red Cross Quadrille | John Short |
Winners 2012
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Spooky Corners | Jane Bullock |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Snowy River Galop | John Short |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Three’s Company | Margaret Crichton |
Winners 2011
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Rowan’s Reel | Norm Ellis |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Casuarina Waltz Quadrille | John Short |
Winners 2010
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Whitehorse Waltz (Ceffyl Gwyn Waltz) | Ian Kendall |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Pass the Salt | Margaret Crichton |
Winners 2009
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Wollongong | John Short |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Beaumaris Bay | Ian Kendall |
Winners 2008
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | At Skaters’ Pond | Felicity Hattingh |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Flying Doctor | John Short |
Winners 2007
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | The Magestic Waltz | John Short |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Antrim Square Set | Des Jackson |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | John McDonnell Stuart | John Short |
Winners 2006
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Combine Harvester | Martin Campbell-Colquhoun |
Winners 2005
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Grey Mary’s Waltz | John Carrol |
Winners 2004
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Trading Places | Claire Stoneman |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Gates of Moy | Claire Stoneman |
Winners 2003
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Bernies’ Wedding | Margaret Sharpe |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Molly’s Waltz Cotillion | Fay McAlindon |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Schottische Cotillion | John Short |
Winners 2002
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Cudgewa Gavotte | Jane Bullock |
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | John James Morris | Lorraine Findlay |
Winners 2001
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Contra Temp Bush Dance | Martin Colquhoun |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Rotunda Waltz | Anthony Simon |
Winners 2000
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Woylie Waltz | Amanda Daly |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Federation Reel | John Short |
Winners 1999
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | The Magistrates Reel | Barry Simpson |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | The Banner Waltz | Helen Romeo |
Winners 1997
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Emily’s Hop | Richard & Kirsty Greenwood |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Emily’s Progress | Richard & Kirsty Greenwood |
Winners 1996
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Granddad’s Gallop | Margaret Sharpe |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Betty’s Reel | Lorraine Ogilvie |
Winners 1995
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| Beatrice Klippel Award – General Social Dance | Jessie’s Mountain | Jim Moir |
| VFMC Award – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Kitty Kane Waltz | Julie Bishop |
| Honourable Mention – Dance for More Experienced Dancers | Fagan’s Fling | Fay McAlindon |
Winners 1994
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Once a Gold’n’Time | Brian Hickey |
Winners 1991
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Swirling Waters | Lawrie Brown |
Winners 1990
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Lyz’s Clockwork Jig | Lawrie Brown |
Winners 1989
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Sea Caves | Jeff Green |
Winners 1988
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Under the Wattle | Gary Caulfield |
Winners 1987
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | The Mt Best Hornpipe | Barry Simpson |
Winners 1986
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Katherine Wheel – or Reel? | John Colville |
| Honourable Mention | Windmills | Deborah Reynolds |
Winners 1984
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | The Ryebuck Shearer | Norm Ellis |
Winners 1983
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Taradale Club Cotillions | Wally & Phyllis Tugwell |
| Honourable Mention | Phoebe McGee’s Fancy | Val Wilson |
Winners 1982
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Taradale Club Quadrille | Wally & Phyllis Tugwell |
Winners 1981
| Competition | Dance | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| VFMC Award – Single Category | Felix Fancy Free | Norm Ellis |
| Honourable Mention | The Sandhurst Diggers | Ian McKenzie |