Curtain crashes on Rock Eisteddfod

Centaur students express their feelings after being told the Rock Eisteddfod has been quashed.Photo: BLAINEY WOODHAM

A SCHOOL’S dream of lighting up the stage with their environmental message has been dashed after the cancellation of the popular Rock Eisteddfod Challenge.

The national musical and dance extravaganza was axed this week after 30 years due to a lack of sponsorship and support from various state governments.

Centaur Public School in Banora Point had already signed up to the Gold Coast Junior Rock Eisteddfod for the year, with plans to put on a Fern Gully-inspired environmental performance.

Dance teacher Misha Ivers said auditions for what would have been a June show at the Gold Coast Art Centre were set to take place in the coming weeks.

“The Eisteddfod is the most professional thing kids their age could take part in, and now it’s gone,” Mrs Ivers said.

“It’s really disappointing it has come to this. The kids were devastated when I told them the news.

“We wanted to spread awareness of the importance of caring for our environment with our performance.”

Mrs Ivers said the school entered the local Eisteddfod every second year.

The school’s last show was 2008 where 53 dancers depicted the story of two tribal children who lost their way.

The performance won the school seven awards.

“It would have been bigger this year. I had three other teachers who wanted to help out. Usually it’s just me,” Mrs Ivers said.

Despite the current set back, Mrs Ivers is adamant the show will go on.

“We are looking into a one-night mini eisteddfod with us and several other local schools,” she said.

“We also considered participating in Far North Coast Dance this year. It’s in Lismore this year however, and might be too far to travel.

“I’m hoping something comes up.”

Year 5 student Madeline Meharry, who performed in the 2008 eisteddfod, said she was saddened by the cancellation.

“I liked it because everyone gave everything they had and showed their real talent,” the 10-year-old said.

“I will miss how fun it was.”

Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Foundation producer Helen Sjoquist said it was a sad decision to cancel the event.

“We’ve had so many calls from teachers and schools offering their support since we made the cancellation this week. It is upsetting it had to come to this,” Ms Sjoquist said.

Ms Sjoquist said they received reduced funding from Western Australian, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and New South Wales.

Queensland increased its funding allocation to the eisteddfod this year, while the Federal Government chipped in $700,000.

Ms Sjoquist said the foundation would look at future sponsorship and funding for a possible return in 2011.

“It is possible we can get it back up and running for next year,” she said.