Doug Mills

I’ve been dancing for 55 years, having started as a child at the Johnsonville club in Wellington where my mother taught.  Since then, I’ve had a bit of a peripatetic existence, dancing and teaching at the Wainuiomata, Island Bay, Napier, Greymouth, Christchurch, Tam O’Shanter and now Picton clubs!

I’ve been teaching SCD for 37 years - in Wellington, Christchurch and now in Marlborough. For the last 15 years I’ve been involved in the teacher training process, firstly as a Teacher Candidate tutor and now as an RSCDS examiner.  I am a passionate supporter of all teachers whether they are certificated or not, as these people are the backbone of all SCD in New Zealand.

I’ve taught at several NZ Branch Summer Schools (from Elementary to Advanced High Impact and all classes in between) and three Australian Winter Schools, as well as numerous day and weekend schools all over the country.  I might have met you on my travels and I look forward to seeing you again in Christchurch.

Lynda & I now live in the Marlborough Sounds in Whatamango Bay, looking out across Queen Charlotte Sound. The ferries (when they are working!) cruise ships and all manner of small pleasure boats pass by our house each day.  We are surrounded by native bush and there are always plenty of native birds keeping us entertained - Tui, Korimako (bellbird), Piwakawaka, Riroriro (grey warbler – noisy, but impossible to see!), Ruru, Weka (leave the vegie patch alone!) and the scourge of the finches and sparrows - Karearea (NZ Falcon). There are usually penguins, dolphins and seals playing in the Bay, and of course plenty possums evading our traps!