Menu
Kumara Memorial Hall backdrop by Dusty Rhodes.
Expand/collapse
About this image
DescriptionKumara Memorial Hall where many of us in days of yore attended dances which began at 11pm and finished at 3am. We travelled by bus from Greymouth and Hokitika. Some of the lads usually had a beer or two at the old Theatre Royal Hotel before seeking the young ladies to dance with. Acker's Dance band usually supplied the music for waltzes, foxtrots, Canadian 3 step, Maxina, Destiny and others which older contributors might recall.PhotographerDon HuttonDate of Photo2017Map[1] ContributorDon Hutton
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)KumaraPerson Dusty RhodesLandmark (Place)Kumara Memorial HallOrganisation (eg business)Kumara Memorial HallEventKumara Memorial backdrop by Dusty Rhodes
Category Information
Category TagOld buildingsart,craft,literature
From Facebook
Date Created11th November 2017CommentsDorothy Wills
Gypsy Tap was my favourite dance. Unfortunately with age and balance problems I can’t enjoy it now even supposing I could find someone playing suitable music
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Dorothy Wills i remember that and the Venetia Gay gordons
Pam Mcmanus
Loved those days.
Kevin Oregan
Did a few spins around in there myself. Kumara fire brigade ball, that was the one we all looked out for
Kerry Keating
I was in Tony Flanagan's team that built the shelter covering the front of the hall. The old one only covered the doorway.
Anthea Rose
We will remember them and the Nurses too.
May be an image of monument
Jocelyn Steele
Bring back those days when everyone had a job
Allan Russ
Some of my earliest memories, seeing movies at the hall put on by My Hayes with my Father and Brother there
Linda Skelton
We had some great dances at Maruia and Rahu halls. There were special dances for learning . You had to be a teen at least and the Adults dancedwith us and taught all the steps.
Nova Hichens
I remember good times held in the Kumara Hall. Movies, dances, weddings,school concerts & travelling shows. We loved being upstairs lots of great memories. On Anzac Day the school children & adults would March from the top of Main St. to the Hall. Mr Jim Brown would read the names from the Memorial wall. It was a sad day for him as he had lost two brothers to the war.
Bruce Tones
Played there many times, with Terry Kennedy and the ramblers band, and later, the westsiders band, great times and great nights, Don
Cherie Alison Goode
Bruce Tones this is going back but McAlisters had a family band to my mum's relatives
Les Holmes Germanicus
It is one Hall left that still has its original Dusty Rhodes mountain and lake stage landscape backdrop too.
Tom Ryall
Looking really good the Kumara Hall
Trish Rennie
Lots of great memories held within those walls of times past. Shame we don’t enjoy the same happy occasions today for families and communities. Great music and homemade suppers etc….
Murray Webber
One place I never got to
Lyn Whittle
Taught aerobics classes in that hall
Valda Blair
I remember dancing 2 The Tremors back in the day,good times.1960s.!!
Peter Gray
Kumara this week, Gladstone next week, lot of fun back in the day
Frances Carey
Remember the concerts. Clare McNabb conducting etc. Also one time fell off the stage a broke her legs. Terrible. Also going to movies. By the time I was old enough the dances had finished. My sisters & brothers enjoyed them. Those were the days.....
Catherine Carrington
My brother had dances their and guess a few beers I think it was in the 70,s.He just loved it.
RIP Vince (Densie)
Fiona Pollard
Spent many a night dancing to live bands in 1980s and 1990s in this wonderful hall. Roll on to 2020s and I helped organize a few Hooleys for Kumara community. Great to to relive my youth/teenage years...still can dance all night if the vibe is good
Sheree Hume
The good old days and nice memories
Bob Laing
The hall had a wooden, what was called, a sprung floor, ensuring it was a n excellent sports and dance floor. One of the few on the Coast. Google sprung floors if you do not know what they are
Rosalie Fleming
My husband's Aunty Bev played in Ackers Dance Band
Wendy Hogan
I loved going dancing on the bus toackers dance band
John Ryall
Every Saturday night we went dancing Kumara Gladstone,st John’s and many others loved it and all the best people you met
Cherie Alison Goode
My mum's relatives was in McAllisters band back in the day they used to sing at dances years ago x
Cherie Alison Goode
Can u find any photos of the band please and thank you
Fiona Pollard
Oh wonder where the side panels went. The hall still has the back drop. Fond memories of live bands in the 1980s right through to a few years ago...
Rosemarie Searle
Fiona Pollard Crikey I hope the panels are still around. Redone by a family member as they were falling apart
Karen Jury
Fiona Pollard be wonderful to find them
Rata Charlton
Linda Hughes
Great nights, Loved those dances, was it at Cameron's or Paria where the dances were held on alternate Saturdays. My poor old head not working well today. Loved Stillwater as well.
Sharon Pugh
Linda Hughes also Gladstone Hall Dances I believe.
Linda Hughes
Sharon Pugh that's the one, almost there!
Linda Hughes
Heart Thank You Sticker
Eleanor Morel
Linda Hughes Linda I remember fondly the pre dance drinks we girls had at one another’s homes. My Dad always reckoned that we were going out when it was time to go to bed!! What fun times we had.
Linda Hughes
Oops Paroa.
Pete Muir
Gladstone Hall also had one of Dusty Rhodes' backdrops
Heather Newby
Pete Muir same with Blaketown Hall
Pete Muir
My mother, Clarice Muir & Grandmother Dorrie Parfitt often played at Gladstone, Paroa, Camerons, Kumara, Stillwater, Moana, Ahuara, St Columba Halls with Arn Beck, Joe Soster, Ken McMillan, Gordon Elley, Don Thomas, Alan Wisdom, Stan Goodall.
Reply1wEdited
Linda Hughes
Pete Muir Remember them, great music.
Pete Muir
May be an image of 5 people, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, flute and violin
Pete Muir
Ken, Joe, Stan & Clarice playing at Kumara.
Pete Muir
Kennedy's ran buses to & from the Saturday night dances in the district picking up at various places around town. Mum got the bus from Rathbuns Store in High Street.
Kate Hawkins
Rosemarie Searle,
Rebecca Prattley,
Pavel-Jo Bares, Karen Jury
Pauline Schafer
I used to go to the Stillwater dances when I was a teenager. Dad was usually there and would get me up to dance. Band was usually Joe Soster and Anne Rodden, I can’t remember who else was in it.
Carolyn Graham
Pauline Schafer I remember your Dad being a beautiful dancer.
Pauline Schafer
Carolyn Graham Thanks Carolyn, he and Mum loved their dances.
Kerrie Fitzgibbon
Many a fine old time had within these walls
Anne Honey
My uncle Jack played in the orchestra at the dances. A great night out.
Ann Hobden
Proper dances back then. Until rock-'n'-roll came along.
Jocelyn Clark
Loved those dances. Were such fun.
Gloria Pahl
The great old times
Melva Crampton
We still linedance there every week with our ever inspiring teacher, Daph Power! I love looking up at the Stage backdrop as we enjoy the music and our dances.
Reply1w
Lynne Kokshoorn
Melva Crampton we sure do
Dianne Smith
One week Kumara & one week Gladston. Gee I'd love to go back to those days.
Jeannie Preddy
Don't forget the"Gypsy Tap!"
Heather Newby
Jeannie Preddy OMG... i remember that
Jeannie Preddy
Heather Newby my favourite!
Jim Howden
still dance it today!!
John Ryall
Fox trot Quick Step waltz when the lights were low gear memories
Reply1w
Heather Newby
Gay Gordons
The dance is over 130 years old, and was named after a famous army regiment from the North East of Scotland called the Gordon Highlanders.
Andrea Walker
Charlotte Walker who knew he could paint!
Sharon Westlake
Have heard many a story about the old dances on the coast, it was exciting social times now lost to the young ones today, which is sad
Eleanor Morel
Great dances every Saturday night. At a different venue every week, Gladstone, St Johns, St Columba, Stillwater etc. What a wonderful time we had. All day Saturday to get ready, the movies then the dance.
Myra Barry
Remember these dances well my dad would only let me go every two months. My younger siblings were able to go every month
My mum Alice Clark.would make the sausage rolls and cream horns for the. Supper. Good all days. A couple of us girls would go mushrooming down the Salmons
Beverley Leopold
I have a water colour by someone called Rhodes, it could be James, can't see the signature enough to make that bit out, but I wondered if the Rhodes person called Dusty is one and the same. This photo hung in our house in Greymouth, Blaketown, for as long back as I can remember, I'm 84 now so the old photo, still in mint condition, must be a fair age, and also I have had it hanging in my living area for years. I'd love to know more about this person that painted it, would you be kind enough to let me know if you can. Thank you Bev L.
Reply1w
Sharon Pugh
Beverley Leopold james R Rhodes is Dusty. He's my grandfather. James (Jim) and Rhodes is my dad, Jamie is my brother and he has a son JamesGrandad lived in Karoro and Cobden in later years. He was a barber after war years, and loved a whisky or two.
Beverley Leopold
Sharon Pugh wow Sharon that's a surprise. So my photo is by your Grandfather, James. So pleased to know this and more so now I know the connection to you. Thanks Sharon.
Suzie Breeze
The back drop at the Gladstone Hall is pretty cool too. I didn’t realise he had done the backdrops for so many halls.
I have two of his original paintings on velvet
Malcolm Lutton
there was a two of dusty painting in the city hotel ross in50 t60s
Helen Hutchison
Malcolm Lutton Happy memories of Dusty’s paintings and those Sat nite Dances . Cheers
Malcolm Lutton
Helen Hutchison good times hutch
Helen Hutchison
Margaret Riordan
This backdrop was there in the hall in 1992 when we had our Payn-Scettrini reunion, but our banner overshadowed it for the weekend!
May be an image of text
Maggie Bath
Someone mentioned that the dances didn't start until 11pm and went til 3am. Why so late?
Malcolm Lutton
think it was 730 to12 30
Linda Hughes
The buses left Grey and Hokitika after the movies came out so we didn't get there till 11. Not sure what time they finished. Don't think it was as late as 3.30, could have been.
Pete Muir
Linda Hughes I think supper was around 11/11.30 & dances finished around 1.30/2am, it was to cater for the late movie bus. Bus returned to Grey around midnight, 1am & 2am. That is what my mother used to tell me.
Pete Muir
One of the poplar MC's was 'Baggy' Lalor.
Linda Hughes
Pete Muir yes I think that's right.
John Rosanowski
I can only speculate why dances and ball started and finished so late. BUT I have noted this custom was common in the 19th century. Any ideas ??
John Rosanowski
The Ara Encyc says that poor roads and no street lighting were influences on this. Often staged in times of good moonlight and people could get home in better light at 3-4pm.
Jocelyn Clark
Dances began at 9.00 pm but did not get into full swing until after the pictures about 11.00 pm. Most of us young girls had no transport so would catch the bus from Greymouth at 9.00 pm. On our return to Geymouth after 3.00 am we would share taxis home. One week we went to Kumara and the next
week we went to Gladstone.
In the winter we went to St John's hall in Greymouth and this finished at midnight.
Happy memories.
Judi Trompetter
Jocelyn Clark I thought you would have danced at the Stillwater Hall
Jocelyn Clark
Judi Trompetter - Yes, but they did not have dances there regularly. We went there if there was.
When I was about 16 years my parents allowed me to go as the local tennis club ran dances to raise funds and all players were encouraged to help. We used to provide supper so much of our time was spent in the kitchen.
One year the West Coast Cycle Club had a big event and cyclists came from afar. I was fortunate to be chosen as Belle of the Ball. What a surprise!
Gypsy Tap was my favourite dance. Unfortunately with age and balance problems I can’t enjoy it now even supposing I could find someone playing suitable music
Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Dorothy Wills i remember that and the Venetia Gay gordons
Pam Mcmanus
Loved those days.
Kevin Oregan
Did a few spins around in there myself. Kumara fire brigade ball, that was the one we all looked out for
Kerry Keating
I was in Tony Flanagan's team that built the shelter covering the front of the hall. The old one only covered the doorway.
Anthea Rose
We will remember them and the Nurses too.
May be an image of monument
Jocelyn Steele
Bring back those days when everyone had a job
Allan Russ
Some of my earliest memories, seeing movies at the hall put on by My Hayes with my Father and Brother there
Linda Skelton
We had some great dances at Maruia and Rahu halls. There were special dances for learning . You had to be a teen at least and the Adults dancedwith us and taught all the steps.
Nova Hichens
I remember good times held in the Kumara Hall. Movies, dances, weddings,school concerts & travelling shows. We loved being upstairs lots of great memories. On Anzac Day the school children & adults would March from the top of Main St. to the Hall. Mr Jim Brown would read the names from the Memorial wall. It was a sad day for him as he had lost two brothers to the war.
Bruce Tones
Played there many times, with Terry Kennedy and the ramblers band, and later, the westsiders band, great times and great nights, Don
Cherie Alison Goode
Bruce Tones this is going back but McAlisters had a family band to my mum's relatives
Les Holmes Germanicus
It is one Hall left that still has its original Dusty Rhodes mountain and lake stage landscape backdrop too.
Tom Ryall
Looking really good the Kumara Hall
Trish Rennie
Lots of great memories held within those walls of times past. Shame we don’t enjoy the same happy occasions today for families and communities. Great music and homemade suppers etc….
Murray Webber
One place I never got to
Lyn Whittle
Taught aerobics classes in that hall
Valda Blair
I remember dancing 2 The Tremors back in the day,good times.1960s.!!
Peter Gray
Kumara this week, Gladstone next week, lot of fun back in the day
Frances Carey
Remember the concerts. Clare McNabb conducting etc. Also one time fell off the stage a broke her legs. Terrible. Also going to movies. By the time I was old enough the dances had finished. My sisters & brothers enjoyed them. Those were the days.....
Catherine Carrington
My brother had dances their and guess a few beers I think it was in the 70,s.He just loved it.
RIP Vince (Densie)
Fiona Pollard
Spent many a night dancing to live bands in 1980s and 1990s in this wonderful hall. Roll on to 2020s and I helped organize a few Hooleys for Kumara community. Great to to relive my youth/teenage years...still can dance all night if the vibe is good
Sheree Hume
The good old days and nice memories
Bob Laing
The hall had a wooden, what was called, a sprung floor, ensuring it was a n excellent sports and dance floor. One of the few on the Coast. Google sprung floors if you do not know what they are
Rosalie Fleming
My husband's Aunty Bev played in Ackers Dance Band
Wendy Hogan
I loved going dancing on the bus toackers dance band
John Ryall
Every Saturday night we went dancing Kumara Gladstone,st John’s and many others loved it and all the best people you met
Cherie Alison Goode
My mum's relatives was in McAllisters band back in the day they used to sing at dances years ago x
Cherie Alison Goode
Can u find any photos of the band please and thank you
Fiona Pollard
Oh wonder where the side panels went. The hall still has the back drop. Fond memories of live bands in the 1980s right through to a few years ago...
Rosemarie Searle
Fiona Pollard Crikey I hope the panels are still around. Redone by a family member as they were falling apart
Karen Jury
Fiona Pollard be wonderful to find them
Rata Charlton
Linda Hughes
Great nights, Loved those dances, was it at Cameron's or Paria where the dances were held on alternate Saturdays. My poor old head not working well today. Loved Stillwater as well.
Sharon Pugh
Linda Hughes also Gladstone Hall Dances I believe.
Linda Hughes
Sharon Pugh that's the one, almost there!
Linda Hughes
Heart Thank You Sticker
Eleanor Morel
Linda Hughes Linda I remember fondly the pre dance drinks we girls had at one another’s homes. My Dad always reckoned that we were going out when it was time to go to bed!! What fun times we had.
Linda Hughes
Oops Paroa.
Pete Muir
Gladstone Hall also had one of Dusty Rhodes' backdrops
Heather Newby
Pete Muir same with Blaketown Hall
Pete Muir
My mother, Clarice Muir & Grandmother Dorrie Parfitt often played at Gladstone, Paroa, Camerons, Kumara, Stillwater, Moana, Ahuara, St Columba Halls with Arn Beck, Joe Soster, Ken McMillan, Gordon Elley, Don Thomas, Alan Wisdom, Stan Goodall.
Reply1wEdited
Linda Hughes
Pete Muir Remember them, great music.
Pete Muir
May be an image of 5 people, trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, flute and violin
Pete Muir
Ken, Joe, Stan & Clarice playing at Kumara.
Pete Muir
Kennedy's ran buses to & from the Saturday night dances in the district picking up at various places around town. Mum got the bus from Rathbuns Store in High Street.
Kate Hawkins
Rosemarie Searle,
Rebecca Prattley,
Pavel-Jo Bares, Karen Jury
Pauline Schafer
I used to go to the Stillwater dances when I was a teenager. Dad was usually there and would get me up to dance. Band was usually Joe Soster and Anne Rodden, I can’t remember who else was in it.
Carolyn Graham
Pauline Schafer I remember your Dad being a beautiful dancer.
Pauline Schafer
Carolyn Graham Thanks Carolyn, he and Mum loved their dances.
Kerrie Fitzgibbon
Many a fine old time had within these walls
Anne Honey
My uncle Jack played in the orchestra at the dances. A great night out.
Ann Hobden
Proper dances back then. Until rock-'n'-roll came along.
Jocelyn Clark
Loved those dances. Were such fun.
Gloria Pahl
The great old times
Melva Crampton
We still linedance there every week with our ever inspiring teacher, Daph Power! I love looking up at the Stage backdrop as we enjoy the music and our dances.
Reply1w
Lynne Kokshoorn
Melva Crampton we sure do
Dianne Smith
One week Kumara & one week Gladston. Gee I'd love to go back to those days.
Jeannie Preddy
Don't forget the"Gypsy Tap!"
Heather Newby
Jeannie Preddy OMG... i remember that
Jeannie Preddy
Heather Newby my favourite!
Jim Howden
still dance it today!!
John Ryall
Fox trot Quick Step waltz when the lights were low gear memories
Reply1w
Heather Newby
Gay Gordons
The dance is over 130 years old, and was named after a famous army regiment from the North East of Scotland called the Gordon Highlanders.
Andrea Walker
Charlotte Walker who knew he could paint!
Sharon Westlake
Have heard many a story about the old dances on the coast, it was exciting social times now lost to the young ones today, which is sad
Eleanor Morel
Great dances every Saturday night. At a different venue every week, Gladstone, St Johns, St Columba, Stillwater etc. What a wonderful time we had. All day Saturday to get ready, the movies then the dance.
Myra Barry
Remember these dances well my dad would only let me go every two months. My younger siblings were able to go every month
My mum Alice Clark.would make the sausage rolls and cream horns for the. Supper. Good all days. A couple of us girls would go mushrooming down the Salmons
Beverley Leopold
I have a water colour by someone called Rhodes, it could be James, can't see the signature enough to make that bit out, but I wondered if the Rhodes person called Dusty is one and the same. This photo hung in our house in Greymouth, Blaketown, for as long back as I can remember, I'm 84 now so the old photo, still in mint condition, must be a fair age, and also I have had it hanging in my living area for years. I'd love to know more about this person that painted it, would you be kind enough to let me know if you can. Thank you Bev L.
Reply1w
Sharon Pugh
Beverley Leopold james R Rhodes is Dusty. He's my grandfather. James (Jim) and Rhodes is my dad, Jamie is my brother and he has a son JamesGrandad lived in Karoro and Cobden in later years. He was a barber after war years, and loved a whisky or two.
Beverley Leopold
Sharon Pugh wow Sharon that's a surprise. So my photo is by your Grandfather, James. So pleased to know this and more so now I know the connection to you. Thanks Sharon.
Suzie Breeze
The back drop at the Gladstone Hall is pretty cool too. I didn’t realise he had done the backdrops for so many halls.
I have two of his original paintings on velvet
Malcolm Lutton
there was a two of dusty painting in the city hotel ross in50 t60s
Helen Hutchison
Malcolm Lutton Happy memories of Dusty’s paintings and those Sat nite Dances . Cheers
Malcolm Lutton
Helen Hutchison good times hutch
Helen Hutchison
Margaret Riordan
This backdrop was there in the hall in 1992 when we had our Payn-Scettrini reunion, but our banner overshadowed it for the weekend!
May be an image of text
Maggie Bath
Someone mentioned that the dances didn't start until 11pm and went til 3am. Why so late?
Malcolm Lutton
think it was 730 to12 30
Linda Hughes
The buses left Grey and Hokitika after the movies came out so we didn't get there till 11. Not sure what time they finished. Don't think it was as late as 3.30, could have been.
Pete Muir
Linda Hughes I think supper was around 11/11.30 & dances finished around 1.30/2am, it was to cater for the late movie bus. Bus returned to Grey around midnight, 1am & 2am. That is what my mother used to tell me.
Pete Muir
One of the poplar MC's was 'Baggy' Lalor.
Linda Hughes
Pete Muir yes I think that's right.
John Rosanowski
I can only speculate why dances and ball started and finished so late. BUT I have noted this custom was common in the 19th century. Any ideas ??
John Rosanowski
The Ara Encyc says that poor roads and no street lighting were influences on this. Often staged in times of good moonlight and people could get home in better light at 3-4pm.
Jocelyn Clark
Dances began at 9.00 pm but did not get into full swing until after the pictures about 11.00 pm. Most of us young girls had no transport so would catch the bus from Greymouth at 9.00 pm. On our return to Geymouth after 3.00 am we would share taxis home. One week we went to Kumara and the next
week we went to Gladstone.
In the winter we went to St John's hall in Greymouth and this finished at midnight.
Happy memories.
Judi Trompetter
Jocelyn Clark I thought you would have danced at the Stillwater Hall
Jocelyn Clark
Judi Trompetter - Yes, but they did not have dances there regularly. We went there if there was.
When I was about 16 years my parents allowed me to go as the local tennis club ran dances to raise funds and all players were encouraged to help. We used to provide supper so much of our time was spent in the kitchen.
One year the West Coast Cycle Club had a big event and cyclists came from afar. I was fortunate to be chosen as Belle of the Ball. What a surprise!
Editing is temporarily disabled
Cancel EditClick on the image to add
a tag or press ESC to cancel
a tag or press ESC to cancel
West Coast New Zealand History (18th Jul 2023). Kumara Memorial Hall backdrop by Dusty Rhodes.. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 1st Apr 2026 07:10, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/32208