Gadabouts

The Gadabouts were formed in early 1942 and comprised of a troupe of local entertainers. They provided weekly entertainment for the Australian and American forces stationed in the Townsville area. The management of the entertainment was always through the Army or Air Force Amenities. The visits also extended to camps in the Charters Towers, Sellheim, Mount Spec, and on Magnetic Island. Every year a benefit performance was given for the Red Cross.

The party was fortunate to have an organiser (Mrs Quirk) who was capable of designing and cutting out costumes for the group. The sewing was done by the girls themselves.

A team of eight ballet girls devoted two hours every Saturday afternoon to rehearse.

Gadabouts from Townsville Daily Bulletin Fri 13th Aug 1943	The Gadabouts Ballet performing in 1942
Advert for the Red Cross Benefit concert in Townsville Daily Bulletin Sat 9th Oct 1943	The Gadabouts were guest artists for a visiting wartime group in 1943. (Townsville Daily Bulletin Sat 30 Oct 1943)
Red Cross benefit Concert advert May 1943 (Townsville Daily Bulletin Thurs 20 May 1943)	1944 Red Cross Benefit Concert advertisement (Townsville Daily Bulletin Thurs 7 Sept 1944)
1944 New Years Eve concert advertisement. (Townsville Daily Bulletin Sat 30 Dec 1944)	1945 Red Cross Benefit Concert advertisement (Townsville Daily Bulletin Wed 30 May 1945)
Gadabouts in July 1945 In the picture are: Front row: Joe Clark, Shirley Wilmington, Betty Grierson. Elwin Pitt, Joyce Sherman, Maidie Roberts, Ern. Millican. Second tow: Mrs. J. Evans, Mrs. Gene. Quirke, Betty Nolan. Patricia O'Shea Coleman, Ann Walsh, Blanche Hunter, Emma Stilt, Alma Weatherby, Doreen Scanlan. Standing in rear: Syd Patterson, Ken McKenna, Jim Gilchrist.(Townsville Daily Bulletin Sat 7 July 1945)