Presidential Infallibility

Few people in fewer pursuits can put their finger on a definite time and place and say, "That was the beginning."

Australian square dancers are different.

We may not be sure whether the universe was created in seven days or was the result of a big bang but we can, with certainty, say that square dancing began in Australia in 1950 because American evangelist, er caller, Joe Lewis promoted it here. That makes him the unchallenged patron saint of Australian Square dancing.

And when the president of a State square dance society interrupts a square dance to make a pronouncement in the name of St. Joe he speaks with something very close to papal infallibility.

I was dancing in the same square as NSW president Graeme Jarman a little while ago and when he made a statement he got my immediate attention.

Graeme is a lovely square dancer, an asset to any club. He's thoughtful, considerate, and fun to dance with. And he never makes mistakes. (What never? Well, hardly ever.) This was one of those rare occasions and he just shrugged and said, "It was George's fault."

No, he wasn't blaming another dancer.  George is the automatic pilot.

I think he had a point. How often have you been singing along with the music, expecting the caller to keep calling what you're dancing when, Whammo! he calls something else. More often that not you didn't even notice.

Recently we had a frowner in the square. Fortunately frowners are comparatively rare and when I dropped my clanger the frown deepened into a scowl. Her eyes took on an accusing glint and I crept quietly from the floor. I've avoided her ever since.

If only I'd spoken to Graeme earlier I could have said brightly, "Oh! It wasn't my fault.  George did it."  I know she'd have understood.

When our kids left home and things went wrong around the home Daizy and I realised that from now on we would only have each other to blame, so to keep our marital harmony intact we bought a dog. Now when something goes amiss we blame Deefer (that's Deefer Dog) and, since Deefer doesn't mind, our life runs as smoothly as before.

And now I've learned about George I know my square dancing will go more smoothly.

Graeme, next time you're in your role as the New South Wales representative of St. Joe, what about making another sweeping pronouncement to cover callers' mistakes.

We'd love a cop out.