James Vickers-Willis
Encyclopedia
James Vickers-Willis was a popular square dance caller in the 1950s. He was also an author of a best selling book and a campaigner for social change.
In addition to being a square dance caller he was also an avid nudist. Vickers-Willis and his wife were regulars at the River Valley Nudist Holiday Resort near Echuca in Victoria Australia.
He died at 90 years of age.
Biography
He was a former Spitfire pilot who came to Australia and became the most popular square-dance caller of the day. He was at one stage one of Australia's highest paid entertainers. When he was 36 he contracted polio and his website gives an account of his affliction with the disease. This ended his career as a square dance caller and this signalled the end of the square dance boom. The doctors gave him around 5 to 10 years to live but he defied medical opinion and lived for another 50 plus years.In addition to being a square dance caller he was also an avid nudist. Vickers-Willis and his wife were regulars at the River Valley Nudist Holiday Resort near Echuca in Victoria Australia.
Later years
Along with his wife Beth, he was featured in Episode 16 (2)on ABC in a broadcast of Retirement Home having been interviewed by ABC reporter Alex Tarney.He died at 90 years of age.
Publications
- The Magic Of Life ISBN 1921030763
- Are You (really) Fun To Live With?
- The Australian Standard Square Dance
- The War Diary