21st CALLERLAB Convention 
MILESTONE AWARD
Presented by Guy Belliveau
The world of square dancing as we know it in Saskatchewan today, had its seed planted one day in 1954. Little did we realize that it would make such an impact on our lives in this Western Province of Saskatchewan.
It all started one fall day in 1954. After continuous begging and pleading by his wife this person attended a beginner square dance evening just to see if he would like it. If he didn’t like it, she promised never to mention it again.
Much to the surprise of his wife, by the time the evening was over, he had signed them up for square dance lessons. A few dances later, the caller who was teaching announced that with the enthusiasm of square-dancing spreading, there would be a need for more callers and that anyone who might be interested in learning to call should sign up immediately because lessons were starting the next week. Well, can you imagine the further surprise to his wife when he announced that he had signed up for caller classes. Here you have someone who can hardly dance and now he wants to become a caller. The ultimate in confidence is already starting to show.
He would spend one night at dance class, then the next evening at a calle7elass. His perseverance has paid off. He can now dance reasonably well, after 40 years, but even better, he has become one of Canada’s best-known callers.
His long-calling career started early in 1955 when he was asked to call for a group of patients at a hospital. This gave our young caller an opportunity to work with people and develop his calling skills. And develop them he did! He was asked to call for a beginner class in the Fall of 1955. The club which formed as a result of this class is still dancing today–to this same caller.
Square dancing was gaining momentum and becoming very popular. Almost every small community had a square dance club which needed guest callers. Guess who loaded up his 400 pounds of home-made equipment, his one box of 78 rpm records and set out to conquer the world as a traveling caller. You’ve probably guessed by now, that we are talking about Martin Mallard.
As the square dance activity grew, Martin’s talents and his leadership qualities grew as well. He formed new square dance clubs in 1956, 1958 and 1969. These clubs are still dancing today. In 1964 he formed a round dance club. He has taught a beginner class every year since 1957. He has also formed a Cardiac Square Dance Group, recognizing the benefits of exercise and sociability.
Shortly after he began calling, Martin joined an association of callers and cuers. His keen interest in square dancing garnered him the position of President in 1962 & 1980. In 1964 Martin saw a need to get the dancers involved and recommended that an association of callers and dancers be formed. He was instrumental in drawing up a constitution, and in 1965 the Hub City Square and Round Dance Association was formed.
In 1978 he was asked to help in forming a Provincial Federation and to work with the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society. Today, both of these organizations are strong and viable, with callers, cuers and dancers working together to improve and broaden the square dance community.
In 1975, Martin became a permanent Canadian director on the board of the International Square and Round Dance Committee. He served as Chairman of the Canadian International Convention in 1966 and 1977 and as co-chairman in 1986 and 1992.
Martin’s calling and teaching has taken him to almost every city in Saskatchewan, to most of the provinces in Canada, many parts of the Northwestern U.S., Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand. He has also hosted tours to Switzerland, the Caribbean, Eastern Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
Martin has received many awards and recognitions. He was presented with a Certificate of Merit by the City of Saskatoon, a Certificate from the City of Thunder Bay, Ontario, in recognition of outstanding Character and Achievement in Square Dancing, awarded the Gavel of Distinction by the British Columbia Jamboree Committee for Outstanding Leadership. Honored by his square dance clubs for his many years of calling and his leadership. In 1993 Martin and Terry received the Saskatchewan 125 Award for outstanding service to others and for his volunteerism to the square & round dance activity.
In 1989, Martin was asked to provide the music and choreograph the dance presentation for the opening ceremonies of the Jeux Canada Summer Games in Saskatoon. Martin and Terry worked with over 100 dancers on a weekly basis from May to August to prepare for this nationally televised event.
After attending a caller’s school in Reno, Nevada, Martin recognized a need to improve the calling skills in our callers. He was instrumental in starting the first week-long Western Canada Callers School in 1979. This school has been held every two years since 1979, bringing together callers from many parts of Canada.
In 1974 Martin was invited to the first CALLERLAB convention. He has attended every convention since then. He served two terms on the Executive Committee and has chaired the Mainstream and Ethics committee. Martin received his Caller Coach Accreditation in 1992, the first Western Canadian Caller Coach. He has conducted several caller clinics since his accreditation.
Over the past forty years, Martin and Terry have opened their hearts and their home to many callers, cuers and dancers from around the world. Nothing comes without some sacrifice, however, and as a personal friend of Martin and Terry, I know that they gave up a free evening or weekend with their families many times in order to help out dancers and callers. For that we are truly grateful.
They have two children, son Brian and daughter Lyta, and four grandchildren. On behalf of all the square dancers, we take this opportunity to say thanks to Brian and Lyta for letting us share in their parents’ lives. I know how proud you are of their accomplishments.
It is my privilege, on behalf of CALLERLAB and all the square & round dancers in Saskatchewan, to present CALLERLAB’s highest award, the Milestone, to Martin Mallard.