The Perth Scottish music community in Perth was thriving at the turn of the 20th century, driven by a strong, post-gold rush population seeking to maintain cultural ties to Scotland. This community was characterized by active social gatherings, the preservation of Gaelic traditions, and the influence of Scottish cultural associations. Walter and Bessie Kerr and performed in the Caledonian Pipe Band.
From the 1916 minutes of the Meeting of Perth Caledonian Society Council, held at Albany Bells Tearooms, Hay Street West: “The Hon. Chief intimated that Mr J M Lapsley had donated…a Silver Cup to be competed for, for Highland Dancing at Annual Sports on New Year’s Day, with the stipulation that the cup would not be won outright but would remain the property of the Perth Caledonian Society and that also intended presenting a medal to the successful competitor each year.”[1]
New Year’s Day was a popular day for Highland Dancing competitions, but later the main championship and Highland Games were held on Easter Saturday, which allowed visitors from country areas to participate and enjoy the spectacle. Midland Junction Oval was the venue for many years, as most competitors and spectators could travel there by train.[2]
The first winner of the Dewar Cup was Miss Renee Esler, a sister of Miss Peggy Esler who was a well known teacher of dancing in Perth. Peggy’s son Kevan Johnston won the Dewar Cup in 1947 and 1948. He became a member of the WA Ballet Company when it was first formed and later achieved fame as a dancer in many musicals in Perth and the Eastern States – The Pyjama Game, Can Can and Paint Your Wagon, Hello Dolly and many others. He married that well known star of stage and song Jill Perryman. Many other Dewar Cup winners have gone on to successful careers in stage productions and associated arts. One of the winners of this trophy was Miss Evelyn Hodgkinson. (who later taught Marcia Chayter) She came from Boulder, having learnt her Highland Dancing on the Goldfields, and could also play the bagpipes. One of her best friends was piper Bill Craib. He also taught her the Reel of Tulloch, which was not well known in WA at that time. She went on to become one of the leading teachers in Highland Dancing in Perth and is still teaching Classical Ballet. She produced many good dancers and teachers, some of whom are still involved with Highland Dancing today. They are Mrs Beryl Stewart (nee Howie), Adjudicator for the Australian Board of Highland Dancing and Examiner in WA for the Victorian Scottish Dance Association; Ms Kerry Grosser (nee Rice), teacher of the winner of this year’s Dewar Cup (Miss Paula Collett); and Mrs Shirley Sherlock (nee Farrell), teacher. New Year’s Day was a popular day for Highland Dancing competitions, but later the main championship and Highland Games were held on Easter Saturday, which allowed visitors from country areas to participate and enjoy the spectacle. Midland Junction Oval was the venue for many years, as most competitors and spectators could travel there by train. In later years, Claremont Showgrounds and Robinson Reserve in Osborne Park were popular. Originally four dances had to be performed in the Open Championship. These were Highland Fling, Seann Triubhas, Gillie Callum (Sword Dance) and Sailor’s Hornpipe. The Reel of Tulloch was danced as a team dance and a separate trophy, The Angus McCleod Cup, was awarded for the Champion team.
The Walter Kerr family of Leake Street Bayswater belonged to the Caledonian Society which promoted highland dancing and Bessie Kerr won many medals at the annual events.
MISS PHILP’S PUPILS.
9th December 1916
The first annual concert by the pupils of Miss Ethel Philp (champion highland dancer) was given, with much success, at St. George’s Hall on Saturday evening.
A large gathering, headed by Mr. J. M. Smith, M.L.A. and Mrs. Smith, was present, and cordially testified to its appreciation of a lengthy programme. Miss Philp’s charges showed off their paces in both solo and concerted items, and no pains had been spared, apparently, in the way of costumes and other accompaniments. Vocal numbers were also interpolated. The audience was especially delighted by the quaint performances of several of Miss Philp’s most diminutive pupils, who evidenced remarkable agility, combined with painstaking training. The net proceeds of the concert are to be devoted to the Silver Chain. The funds of this cause were further augmented as a result of little Marjorie Griffiths’s singing of “Please give me a penny, sir,” this unfailing purse-opener causing 9s. sd. to be showered on the stage.
The programme was as follows:—Flag drill, pupils; song, “Keep the Home Fire Burning,” Master H. Sainsbury; “Dance of the Roses,” Little Gracie; song, “Come Roller Skating,” Miss L. Howie and Master H. Sainsbury; shell dance, Misses L. W. Whit-off and O. Philp; song, “Long, Long Trail,” Miss O. Craig; sailor’s hornpipe, Little Zeta Quinn, song, “I Want to be a Soldier,’ Miss I. Thompson (the baby singer); double skipping rope dance, Miss B. Kerr; club display, Miss L. Whitoff; sheen tribuses Little Dorothy; song, “When the War is Over,” Miss O. Philp; gaiety dance, Miss L. Wheeler; clog dance, Miss E. Philp; song, “Wee Dock and Doris,” Miss L Howie and Baby Wheeler, supported by pupils; pipe selections, Caledonian Pipe Band; song and tableau, “We’ll Look After You.” Miss O. Philp; sword dance, Miss E. Philip; flower song and dance (solo. Miss O. Craig; Roses, Misses G. and S. Parker; Sham-rocks, Babies Wheeler and Rowe; Thistle, Misses Dyson and Z. Quinn: Rosebud, Baby Thompson); tumbling. pupils; comic song, “Hoop La Skirt,” Misses L. Wheeler and O. Philp; song, “Are You the Little Girl?” Misses L. Howie and E. Kerr: Allies’ novelty dance, Misses N. Collins and B. Kerr; Song, “Sister,” Misses O. Craig and Z Quinn; song. “Little Grey Home in the West,” Master H. Sainsbury; step jig, (solo, Little Gracie), pupils; song, Miss I. Thompson; Dorothy gavotte (solo. Little Dorothy Dyson and Z. Quinn), pupils. The grand finale consisted of a tableau, in which the following took part:—Leader, Master H. Sainsbury (England); leader, Miss L. Howie (Scotland); leader, Miss O. Craig Ireland); leader, Miss I. Thompson (Wales); Miss O. Philp (Britannia). At the conclusion of the entertainment the prises won were presented to the successful pupils by Mr. Smith, who congratulated Miss Philp on the success of her first concert. [1]
CALEDONIAN PIPE BAND CONCERT
Wednesday 26 June 1918
The inaugural concert of the W.A. Caledonian Pipe Band was held last night in the Literary Institute, a large audience attending. Mr. J. MacCallum Smith, M.L.A., presided. In addition to selections by the band, the programme was contributed to by the Misses Summers, M. Wilkinson, C. Timms, L Thomas, May Waddell, Gladys Edwards, Queenie Levy, Olga and Ethel Philp, and Bessie Kerr, and Messrs. W. Inch and Peter Roxby. Mrs. Fox acted as accompanist. The concert was followed by refreshments and a dance the music for which was provided by Brown’s Orchestra. During the evening the band was presented by Mr. McDermid with a silver-mounted dram major’s baton, while the band and its supporters presented Pipe-Major Watson with a dressing case, and Mrs. Watson with a silver brush and comb. The arrangements for the evening were in the hands of Mr. L. B. n Mansfield. [1]
The William “Walter” Kerr family of Bayswater were also fundraising for Returned Soldiers and the Caledonian Pipe Band was preparing for the July visit of the Prince of Wales. In 1920, 13year old Edna Kerr no doubt watched her father and sister in this concert which was celebrated with the North Perth sub branch of the R.S.L. of which William Harrison was a member:
MT. LAWLEY- NORTH PERTH SUB-BRANCH, R.S.L.
GRAND MILITARY CONCERT
SATURDAY EVENING 24th April 1920, at 8 o’clock
Under the Patronage of His Excellency the Governor
HIS MAJESTY’S THEATRE PERTH IN CELEBRATION OF ANZAC DAY
The following leading artists will assist:
Misses Elsie Rosslyn, Rene Felt, Dora Clarke, Flora Crooks, Bessie Kerr, and Messrs. H.G Goff, C.L. Green, Lionel Carter, Lionel Hart, Percy Coward, Donald Stuart (late Melrose), E. Scott, Reg Jackson, W.A. Caledonian Pipe Band, The Harmoniste Quartette Party, Geo. Horton.
Prices: 3s. 2s. 1s. Plus tax. Box plan now open at Nicholsons
NEVILLE HEENAN, President. W. L. MENKENS, Secretary. [1]
MUSIC, THE STAGE, and FILMLAND
In His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday night next, a grand concert will be held in aid of the Mt. Lawley-North Perth branch of the R.S.L. The programme will be an interesting and varied one, and will include items from such talented persons as : Misses Elsa Rosslyn, Irene Fell, Dora Clarke, Flora Crooks, Bessie Kerr, and Messrs. H . C. Goff ; Percy Coward, Geo. Horton, C. L Green, Ted Scott, Lionel Carter, Lionel Hart. The Harmonious Quartette Party and Caledonian Pipes will also be in attendance. Booking is at Nicholson’s. [2]
1920: AN ANZAC CONCERT
Secretary W. L. Menkins, as the man at the helm had reason to feel proud of the results of his connection with ANZAC Concert conducted the Mt Lawley-North Perth sub-branch R.S.L. at His Majesty’s last evening. There was a packed house those present including the leading lights of the military from the rank of general downwards – and delegates to the R.S.L. Conference opening in Perth on Tuesday, and nurses and patients of the Base Hospital. In the unavoidable absence of President Neville Heenan, the chair was occupied by Mr. Isaacs, late of the 28th Battalion, and in an appropriate and brief address he thanked all and sundry for the help and patronage which made the evening such an unqualified success. Pressure of space will not permit of details, but it was a tip-top show, contributed to by the Caledonian Pipe Band (also rendering selections in the street prior to the entertainment), the Harmonious Quartette Party, Misses. Elsie Roslyn, Dora Clark, Bessie Kerr, Flora Crooks. Rene Fell and Messrs. C. L. Green, Lionel Hart, George Horton, Percy Coward, Reg. Jackson, Donald Stuart, Lionel Garter and E. Scott. The concert will be repeated at the Lyceum Theatre, Mt Lawley, next Sunday. [3]
ANZAC DAY CONCERT
Next Saturday evening, in His Majesty’s Theatre; the Mt Lawley-North Perth sub-branch R.S.L. will celebrate Anzac Day with a military concert. The event will be under the patronage of His Excellency the Governor, and the following military men have consented to be present:— Brigadier-General Bessell-Brown, Brigadier General Drake-Brockman, Major General Sir Talbot Hobbs. Colonel H. Collett, Colonel G. Barber, the State Commandant (Colonel Peck), and Colonel L. Tilney; The programme will be under the direction of Mr H. C. Goff who recently returned from the front, and the following well known artists will appear:— Misses Elsie Rosalyn (late English Pierrots), Rene Fell, Flora Crooks, Dora Clarke, and Bessie Kerr: Messrs. Geo. Horton (late English Pierrots), Donald Stuart (late Melrose Theatre), E. Scott,. Lionel Carter, C. L. Green, Lionel Hart, Percy Coward, and R. Jackson, the Harmonious Quartette Party, and the W.A. Caledonian Pipe Band. The box plan is at Nicholson’s. [4]
MILITARY CONCERT
A crowded audience and an excellent programme were the features of a military
concert held at His Majesty’s Theatre on Saturday evening, in celebration of ANZAC Day. It was promoted by the Mount Lawley-North Perth sub-branch of the R.S.L., and was held under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor (Sir Francis Newdegate) and in the presence of the Acting State Commandant and a number of prominent officers and citizens. The proceeds, as explained by Hr. Isaacs, who spoke in the absence of the president (Mr. Heenan) were for the erection of a memorial hall, at a cost of £6,000, on a site in William-street, opposite Hyde Park.
The programme opened with. a selection by the Caledonian Pipe Band. Thia was followed by “Sally is Our Alley” by the Harmonists Quartette Party, who also contributed, at the end of the programme, “Sweet and Low.” Hr. C. L. Green was a success in “The Company Sergeant-Major,” and Miss Elsie Rosslyn, who is well known to concert goers, sang “Pipes of Pan.” Mr. Lionel Hart rendered two violin solos. Mr. George Horton -was at his most in humorous numbers. His “Ca-bean, Ca-bage, and Ca-rote” was so much appreciated, that he was twice recalled. He also appeared in the second part of the programme. Messrs- P. Coward and L. Carter sang “The Battle Eve.” and the later also gave “King Charles.” Other songs were sung by Miss Dora Clarke, Miss Flora Crooks, Misa Irene Fell, and Mr. Reg. Jackson, Miss Bessie Kerr danced an Irish jig to a bagpipe accompaniment by Piper E. T. Butler. Mr. Donald Stuart, who was billed as making his last appearance in Perth, was a great force in eccentric comedy and was repeatedly recalled. Mr. Herbert C. Goff, as musical director, gave every satisfaction. The concert will be repeated in the Lyceum Theatre Mt Lawley May 2nd. [5]
[1] The Daily News Wednesday 21 April 1920 page 1
[2] The W.A. Family Sphere Friday 23 April 1920 page 2
[3] Sunday Times Sunday 25 April 1920 page 1
[4] The Daily News Wednesday 21 April 1920 page 5
[5] Western Mail Thursday 29 April 1920 page 14
[1] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Thursday 27 June 1918, page 8
[1] West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 – 1954), Monday 11 December 1916, page 8
[1] minutes of the Meeting of Perth Caledonian Society Council, held at Albany Bells Tearooms, Hay Street West, on Tuesday 1st February 1916
[2] Highland Dancing Over The Years in Western Australia Contributed in 1995 by Beryl Stewart (nee Howie)