History of SDAA

Dancing competitions and Highland Games were revived and proved a most popular outlet for the large number of dancers who were now involved in the art. With the growth of so many schools of Highland Dancing, some large, some small, different styles of Highland Dancing soon became evident. This caused concern at some competitions where certain steps, styles and dress were popular with the different judges and the dancer had to dance to that particular adjudicator on the day to be in the winning circle.
Teachers and Adjudicators were not qualified although dancers were graded by a method of “Restricted” and "Open” Sections.

Following the end of World War 2 in 1945 there came a need to return to a lifestyle similar to one we had enjoyed prior to those war years. Highland Dancing had been popular prior to and during the war years and the post war conditions encouraged this further this interest. Schools of Highland Dancing sprang up in the cities in New South Wales and in many small and large country towns. Highland Dancers performed at most of the important functions held throughout the State encouraging more interest from a wider circle into this dance form.