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They did take this advice and, after braving the rather fearsome road, they called in at the home of Con and Beat Klippel. I was told that on that occasion Con treated them with some suspicion as he found it difficult to understand why any group of city people should be travelling around at that time doing anything as peculiar as asking country people about old songs and music. Victoria was suffering a very severe heat wave that summer, and the group looked somewhat the worst for wear after their trip 'over the Gibb'. Finally it was agreed that they could come again at a later time.
The main core of this group of collectors consisted of Maryjean Officer with Norm and Pat O'Connor. They decided that they might make a better impression on their next trip if they included an accordion player so invited Frank Nickels, who played for dancing at folk club functions, to join them. They also invited Rae Dowdle, another keen dancer, and I do remember that I couldn't go that time due to a previous commitment. There is a tape of this interview in the National Library's collection, tentatively dated April 23rd, 1962. On it, Con and Beat Klippel record some details of their families' background in that district, and Con plays some dance tunes for couples dances and the Lancers, both on piano and accordion.
The information about Mrs Klippel made it clear that her knowledge of dancing was firmly based in the past. She had learnt many of the dances from a book well known in many country districts last century called The Universal Self Instructor. This one, along with a few similar ones, contained a lot of household and other useful advice; most families had one. Mrs Klippel's book had been given to her mother by her father before they were married.
The Nariel Band - photo scanned by Dave de Santi
Official site of the Victorian Folk Music Club Incorporated (Reg No A2511Y)