Question? What do you get when you blend 770 performers, a table full of trophies, 3 professional adjudicators, an enthusiastic audience, 40 volunteers, 6 days of competition and a hard-working committee? Answer: a very successful 2023 Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod.
The Eisteddfod began on time on Monday 7tht August and finished on Saturday morning 12th 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.
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 2023 Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod. The highlight for me was Lilly’s Dance Academy Open Classical Group of Lillian Wadsworth, Lynne Bell, Wendy Vickers, Joy-Anne Andrianatos and Amber. It was sheer brilliance and confirmed Wayne Bennett’s saying, “don’t die with the music in you,’ though in this case it was “don’t die with the dancing in you!”
The guests at the Wine and Cheese Evening were entertained by some of the winners from the week’s divisions- Hannah Wells, Holly Gibson, Benita Klowss & Sam Jessen (vocal), Briella Craig & Ryan Lindsay (instrumental), Briella Craig (vocal), Dorothy Dunn (piano), Lucy Cowley (own composition piano/vocal), Anita Kriel & Leroux Kriel (speech & drama). The evening was capably emceed by Pauline Clyne.
This year’s eisteddfod performers travelled from Moree, Boomi and Croppa Creek in NSW, Gatton, Ipswich, Toowoomba, Dalby, Millmerran, Warwick, St George, 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 winners of the Apex Shield for the Most Outstanding Performance are Sam Jessen & Benita Klowss who scored 99 for their Music Theatre presentation. Hannah Wells won the Joanna Lee BEM Perpetual Award for the Most Outstanding Theatrical Performance and Benita Klowss, Hannah Wells and Holly Gibson won the George Bell Trophy as the Most Outstanding Vocal Competitors. Lloyd and Judy Dunlop won the Most Outstanding Contribution of the Eisteddfod for their many years of work for the eisteddfod.
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), Sam Jessen (mandolin) and Karina Capp (oboe) for some of their performances. Not to be out done, the St Mary’s Cherubim Singers won the Champion Secondary School Choir. The Toowoomba Philharmonic Society Trophy for the Most Promising Junior Choral Performance was won by St Maria Goretti Choir Inglewood. The Goondiwindi Junior and Senior Voices Choirs, conducted by Michelle Sheridan and accompanied by Sam Brown and Lois Phillips, nipped at the heels of the St Mary’s Choirs all day and, though not winning, were a pleasure to listen to.
The Most Outstanding Primary School Verse Speaking Performance Shield was won by St Mary’s Parish School Year 3C. The Performing Arts Goondiwindi Inc Trophy for Most Outstanding Junior Performance was won by Leroux Kriel.
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 and Bobby his “apprentice,” 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. Thank you very much.
Laura Woods operated the light and sound system and did a brilliant job. She was helped on Saturday by Sam Carrigan. 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 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!
Thank you to Samantha Brown who did a mountain of work with GSPS and GSHS ensembles and with individual music students. Congratulations to GSPS Concert Band who won the Best Performance in a Primary Ensemble and to the students who won a number of individual trophies. Enjoy your long service leave, Sam!
I commend and congratulate Border Rivers Christian College who had students, and teachers, entered in all disciplines. You all acquitted yourselves very well and won a number of trophies.
I want to say a very big thank you to my husband, Lloyd, to Alison and Noel Johnson and to Michelle Sheridan who were a massive help in the setting up and cleaning up of the Community Centre; also to the extras who stayed behind on Saturday afternoon to clear the Community Centre in readiness for the Off Road Dinner. I didn’t see who you all were but thank you very much.
Shot 2 U Coffee kept visitors fuelled throughout the day at the canteen and provided morning and afternoon teas for the adjudicators, helpers and committee. 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 2024. Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod.
Judy Dunlop (secretary) on behalf of the 2022 Goondiwindi Apex Eisteddfod Committee
