In 1981 following attendance at the Nariel Old Time dances and folk festival, the club members formed their own band, from volunteer musicians and assisted by Harry McQueen. In 1983 the band adopted the name Emu Creek (because the dances at the time were at Strathfieldsaye near Emu Creek). This band works both independently and hand in hand with the dance club. On the third Saturday of each month with the exception of January, September and December the Bush Dance & Music Club, supported by the Emu Creek Bush Band runs a family dance from 8.00pm at the Bendigo East Progress Hall. At these regular monthly dances The Emu Creek Bush Band is an open community band inviting visiting musicians to sit in.

The celebrated EMU CREEK BUSH BAND is a social group, which fosters junior members, has the promotion of authentic Australian Traditional Music as its aim. This is played on acoustic instruments featuring the 'squeezeboxes' ie the German system concertinas and button accordions along with fiddle, mandolin or banjo mandolin and whistles. Piano, banjos, guitars, double bass, washboard or lagerphone and drums play rhythm.

Many CD’s of Dance Music have been recorded by the band (see CD section).

Back to top