Question? What do you get when you blend 820 performers, a table full of trophies, 4 professional adjudicators, an enthusiastic audience, 40 volunteers, 6 days of competition and a hard-working committee? Answer: a very successful 2022 Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod. This year’s Eisteddfod had to battle influenza and Covid 19 infections with students and parents but we soldiered on and had a wonderful eisteddfod.
The Eisteddfod began on time on Monday 1st August and finished on Saturday morning 6th August. During the week, many session trophies and much prize money was awarded. Many competitors went home with big smiles on their faces and the supporting parents and teachers were pleased that all had gone well. Some performers said that they will return next year and do even more items
The dance trophies were presented at the conclusion of the dance program on Saturday morning while the major trophies were presented at the Trophy Presentation, Entertainment and Wine and Cheese Evening on Saturday. This brought down the curtain on the 2022 Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod.
The guests at the Wine and Cheese Evening were entertained by some of the winners from the week’s divisions- Ambrose Klowss (vocal), Benita Klowss (vocal), Mackenzie Timms (vocal), Sam Jessen (guitar), Ruby-Tuesday Davis-Drenkhahn (piano), Hannah Vonhoff (piano) and Dorothy Dunn (piano). Wendy Rolls, the vocal and choral adjudicator, accompanied by Kathy Jensen, entertained us with two vocal renditions before the evening drew to close. The evening was capably emceed by Pauline Clyne.
This year’s eisteddfod performers travelled from Moree and Croppa Creek in NSW, Gatton, Ipswich, Millmerran, Stanthorpe, Warwick, St George, Pittsworth, Goondiwindi and many of the small border schools to showcase their talents along-side many from our local community.
Several trophies were won by those who came from other towns, but most trophies remained in Goondiwindi. There is a wealth of young talent in this town and their ability should be nurtured and encouraged. The winner of the Apex Shield for the Most Outstanding Performance is Katrina Bye, who scored 99, 98.5 and 98 for her three dance performances. When Katrina isn’t dazzling everyone with her brilliant dancing, she is a cheer leader for an Ipswich Rugby League Team. Katrina also won the Most Promising Dancer trophy. Kathy Jensen won the Most Outstanding Contribution of the Eisteddfod for her many years of being an accompanist for the eisteddfod, Ambrose Klowss won the Joanna Lee BEM Perpetual Award for the Most Outstanding Theatrical Performance and Benita Klowss won the George Bell Trophy as the Most Outstanding Vocal Competitor.
The Fay Duffield Shield for the Champion Primary School Choir was won by St Mary’s Angel Choir conducted by Benita Klowss and accompanied by Ina Winter (piano) for some of their performances. The Toowoomba Philharmonic Society Trophy for the Most Promising Junior Choral Performance was won by St Mary’s Cherubim Choir also conducted by Benita Klowss. Not to be out done, the St Mary’s Seraphim Choir won the Champion Secondary School Choir, beating the Goondiwindi State high School Choir by just half a point
The Most Outstanding Primary School Verse Speaking Performance Shield was won by St Mary’s Parish School Year 5 GW. The Performing Arts Goondiwindi Inc Trophy for Most Outstanding Junior Performance was won by Lucy Cowley
There would be no eisteddfod if we didn’t have financial backing and our heartfelt thanks go to the men and women of the Goondiwindi Apex Club who are always willing to support us financially and physically. They are there to help to prepare the venue, rollout the dance mat and to greet people at the door.
We were also successful in receiving funding from the Goondiwindi Regional Council through their grants program and we are most grateful for this. Our thanks go especially to Jim Raymond who always goes beyond the call of duty in ensuring that the Community Centre is ready for each day’s sessions. The Vern Kleinschmidt Community Fund and RREAP also provided funds to pay for the adjudicator’s fees. James Lister MP also provided sponsorship. Thank you very much.
Laura Woods operated the light and sound system and did a brilliant job. The dance program would have been very dull without her skills. Thank you very much.
Thank you to the Marschall’s Group who provided a truck to transport our equipment to the Community Centre and Jess and Vicky and other workers who took charge of the transportation.
There would be no performers if there were no teachers, accompanists, parents or conductors. We thank them all for their talents, dedication and time put into preparing each performer. We also thank the schools and families for their enthusiastic support; the Argus for their interest in reporting the event; Bec Cover who dropped in when possible, to take photos; our happy band of willing volunteers who help ensure that the eisteddfod runs smoothly. Some of our volunteers front up daily to spend many hours helping out wherever they are needed. We need more helpers urgently!
I want to say a very big thank you to my husband, children and grandchildren, to Alison and Noel Johnson and to Lynda Robertson and Betty Cane who were a massive help in the setting up and cleaning up of the Community Centre. Thank you for keeping me going when the going got tough. I love you all and thank you very much.
Shot 2 U Coffee kept visitors fuelled throughout the day at the canteen. An especial thank you to Jodie Jeans from All Good Things Catering & Entertaining who kept the committee and adjudicators well fed with delicious food.
Thank you also to the business houses and individual trophy donors who continue to give sacrificially so the winners have trophies to remind them of their time at the Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod.
Finally, the committee thanks the members of the public for their continuing support in coming to each session to encourage the performers, whether they are family members or not. We really appreciate your involvement and now look forward to your continuing support for the 2023. Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod.
Judy Dunlop (secretary) on behalf of the 2022 Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod Committee
