What to know about Rod Dinte;
G’day Everyone,
I’ve been asked by Julie to write a profile on yours truly! When I first put “pen to paper, it started to grow into a Book size. I therefore decided to put it into a “Time Line” leaving out all the juicy bits.
Born in Mackay, North Queensland in 1943 and spent the first 15 years if my life there reaching sub-junior level in education.
Moved with the family to Toowoomba in 1959 and started part time work in the Hotel that my parents managed. Did junior level at Toowoomba High.
After 12 months we moved to Brisbane where the parents bought a Corner Store on corner of Gympie Rd. & Stafford Rd. Attended Kedron High School for sub – Senior and worked in the shop after school & on weekends.
At this time decided, I had had enough of schooling and decided to find a job. Tried to join the Airforce to study Electronics, but they didn’t want me. During the August holidays, managed to obtain an apprenticeship with a local firm called Radio Corporation that most people know as “ASTOR”. While an apprentice, joined the CMF for 6 years rising to the rank of Sergeant.
After completing my apprenticeship, staying with the company as their Marine service person, servicing & installing Radars, Gyro Compasses & automatic Pilots in local & overseas ships. Was involved in the installation of the new Radar Station in Caloundra. After rising to workshop manager, decided to move to Philips ( who had bought out Astor) as a design and salesperson in commercial electronics. This included Fire Evacuation Systems, Emergency Nurse Call System in Hospitals & Nursing Homes and P.A Systems.
Met Noeleen at Beatnik Dance at Ashgrove in 1961 and after chasing her for 4 years she finally caught me and we were married in 1965. Bought a house in Bango, which in those days, was in the sticks.
Twin girls were born in 1966 and five years later we had a son.
In 1978, after the company I was working for closed down, bought a 4 wheel drive, built a tray on the back, and went on a 6 month trip around Australia living under a tarp.
I could write a story on that trip alone but as a quick resume’, from Brisbane to Birdsville, down the Birdsville Track to Adelaide, up to Alice Springs, out to Ayers Rock & the Olgas, across the Great Victoria Desert through the Aborigine Missions to Kalgoolie, down to Esperance ,round the bottom of Western Australia, up the west coast to Broome, across to Katherine, up to Darwin to Tennant Creek, Townsville, Fraser Island & home.
Arrived home with no money, no job but lots of memories. Decided to start our own Electronics business which we ran until 2000 when we sold it, retired and went to live on the Sunshine Coast at Diamond Head in a house we bought in 1996.
My Square dancing career began in 1993, learning to dance with Graham Rigby at S-Bar-B at Red Hill. During that year, visited E.Z. Squares where we liked the Club, the Caller and the people. Joined EZ Squares in 1994 and become President in 1995. Held that position for 2 years and then become Vice – President, in those days our by-law stated that you could only hold a committee position for 2 years and then had to step down. This was changed in 1998 and so was Vice – President for quite a few more years spending 12 years on the committee.
As a member of the Queensland Callers Assoc. & the Australian Callers Federation, spent about 6 years as treasurer of the QCA and was a Board member of the ACF for 4 years.
Also was a member of Logan City Square Dance (Inc.) where I helped in the building of the Square Dance Centre and was Treasurer for 8 years.
In1996 entered the Amateur Callers contest against 10 competitors and was fortunate to win it. Deciding I liked calling, became a co- caller to Brian Horsey, our resident caller and eventually started my own Club at Palm Lakes and ran it for 4 years doing both morning and afternoon dances. Gave this Club away when we decided we wanted to do more travelling and didn’t want the commitment of running a Club. Believe me, there is a lot of commitment needed from callers and I know all of you appreciate the commitment of Glenn to our Club. Still enjoying being co – caller with Glenn at EZ Squares. Have to retire one day.
Beside Square Dancing, my other interests include Wood Turning and general Wood Work, Travelling, Fishing and more recently, breeding Finches
Well I hope that gives you a small insight into myself. For any further information you will have to wait until the book & mini – series comes out.
In conclusion, I would like to state that one of my ambitions in life is to be a country music singer when I grew up. Unfortunately I will never grow up!!!
Rod
G’day Everyone,
I’ve been asked by Julie to write a profile on yours truly! When I first put “pen to paper, it started to grow into a Book size. I therefore decided to put it into a “Time Line” leaving out all the juicy bits.
Born in Mackay, North Queensland in 1943 and spent the first 15 years if my life there reaching sub-junior level in education.
Moved with the family to Toowoomba in 1959 and started part time work in the Hotel that my parents managed. Did junior level at Toowoomba High.
After 12 months we moved to Brisbane where the parents bought a Corner Store on corner of Gympie Rd. & Stafford Rd. Attended Kedron High School for sub – Senior and worked in the shop after school & on weekends.
At this time decided, I had had enough of schooling and decided to find a job. Tried to join the Airforce to study Electronics, but they didn’t want me. During the August holidays, managed to obtain an apprenticeship with a local firm called Radio Corporation that most people know as “ASTOR”. While an apprentice, joined the CMF for 6 years rising to the rank of Sergeant.
After completing my apprenticeship, staying with the company as their Marine service person, servicing & installing Radars, Gyro Compasses & automatic Pilots in local & overseas ships. Was involved in the installation of the new Radar Station in Caloundra. After rising to workshop manager, decided to move to Philips ( who had bought out Astor) as a design and salesperson in commercial electronics. This included Fire Evacuation Systems, Emergency Nurse Call System in Hospitals & Nursing Homes and P.A Systems.
Met Noeleen at Beatnik Dance at Ashgrove in 1961 and after chasing her for 4 years she finally caught me and we were married in 1965. Bought a house in Bango, which in those days, was in the sticks.
Twin girls were born in 1966 and five years later we had a son.
In 1978, after the company I was working for closed down, bought a 4 wheel drive, built a tray on the back, and went on a 6 month trip around Australia living under a tarp.
I could write a story on that trip alone but as a quick resume’, from Brisbane to Birdsville, down the Birdsville Track to Adelaide, up to Alice Springs, out to Ayers Rock & the Olgas, across the Great Victoria Desert through the Aborigine Missions to Kalgoolie, down to Esperance ,round the bottom of Western Australia, up the west coast to Broome, across to Katherine, up to Darwin to Tennant Creek, Townsville, Fraser Island & home.
Arrived home with no money, no job but lots of memories. Decided to start our own Electronics business which we ran until 2000 when we sold it, retired and went to live on the Sunshine Coast at Diamond Head in a house we bought in 1996.
My Square dancing career began in 1993, learning to dance with Graham Rigby at S-Bar-B at Red Hill. During that year, visited E.Z. Squares where we liked the Club, the Caller and the people. Joined EZ Squares in 1994 and become President in 1995. Held that position for 2 years and then become Vice – President, in those days our by-law stated that you could only hold a committee position for 2 years and then had to step down. This was changed in 1998 and so was Vice – President for quite a few more years spending 12 years on the committee.
As a member of the Queensland Callers Assoc. & the Australian Callers Federation, spent about 6 years as treasurer of the QCA and was a Board member of the ACF for 4 years.
Also was a member of Logan City Square Dance (Inc.) where I helped in the building of the Square Dance Centre and was Treasurer for 8 years.
In1996 entered the Amateur Callers contest against 10 competitors and was fortunate to win it. Deciding I liked calling, became a co- caller to Brian Horsey, our resident caller and eventually started my own Club at Palm Lakes and ran it for 4 years doing both morning and afternoon dances. Gave this Club away when we decided we wanted to do more travelling and didn’t want the commitment of running a Club. Believe me, there is a lot of commitment needed from callers and I know all of you appreciate the commitment of Glenn to our Club. Still enjoying being co – caller with Glenn at EZ Squares. Have to retire one day.
Beside Square Dancing, my other interests include Wood Turning and general Wood Work, Travelling, Fishing and more recently, breeding Finches
Well I hope that gives you a small insight into myself. For any further information you will have to wait until the book & mini – series comes out.
In conclusion, I would like to state that one of my ambitions in life is to be a country music singer when I grew up. Unfortunately I will never grow up!!!
Rod