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Background The Champion of Champions Championship of Australia is Australia’s most prestigious highland dancing event. It brings together Highland Dancers from many parts of the world as it rotates on a biennial basis through the states of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The Australian Board of Highland Dancing Inc has entrusted the successful conduct of the 2010 Championship to the South Queensland Regional Committee of Highland Dancing Inc. The last time this event was staged by our committee (in the year 2000), 682 dancers travelled to Brisbane to compete in the dancing programme. History The Championship was instigated by Mr. Frank Cleves, a long-standing supporter of Highland Dancing in Australia. The first Champion of Champions Championship was conducted in Frank’s home state, South Australia, in 1976. The event has rotated since that time, with 2010 celebrating the 18th Champion of Champions Championship event. Count Down to 2010 Something for all the Scots to enjoy The Champion of Champions weekend will officially commence on Friday 2 April 2010 with a gala cocktail party to be held at Rydges at Golden Beach, Caloundra; hosted by the South Queensland Regional Committee. The cocktail party will welcome and introduce the twelve Judges and three pipers for the weekend as well as providing a networking opportunity for the many teachers and judges who will travel to Queensland to enjoy the weekend of Highland Dancing. Saturday 3 April 2010 will see the South Queensland Regional Committee combine with the Queensland Pipe Band Association to conduct a celebration of Scottish culture. The Queensland Highland Dancing Championships and supporting events will be held at the Caloundra Indoor Stadium, North Street, Caloundra. Less than three hundred metres away the Australian Pipe Band Championships will be conducted on the adjoining Australian Rules oval. This should be a wonderful spectacle and the many holidaymakers who will visit Caloundra over the Easter period will be encouraged to attend. On Sunday 4 April 2010 the Champion of Champions Championship of Australia will be held. Once again this will be in the Caloundra Sports Stadium. Entry into the Championship is by qualification only (viz a Dancer must have been placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a registered Championship anywhere in the world to take their place on the platform). Three age groups will be offered. Supporting events for level dancers (including the ever popular under 7 sections) will follow. Accommodation The South Queensland Regional Committee has already alerted the dancing population of the need to secure accommodation in Caloundra, owing to is reputation as one of Australia’s favourite holiday destinations. Flyers have been circulated encouraging as many as possible to attend. The schedule will be made available prior to Easter 2009. Judges A panel of twelve judges is in the process of being finalised, with two judges from Scotland already accepting an invitation to travel to Australia, and another from the United States of America. The balance of the panel will comprise of judges from Queensland, New South Wales, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria and South Australia. Rotating panels of three will adjudicate each dance of the Championships. Fundraising The Committee has already enjoyed many social events along the way (a combined teachers concert, a Halloween party, a Bush Dance, a Mother’s Day morning tea, Tupperware parties etc ) as well as a rather innovative Fling-a-thon and the usual basic fund-raising (stalls, BBQ’s, chocolates, jam sales). Community Presence South Queensland Regional Committee is working actively with Caloundra Tourism in promoting the forthcoming Championships. The event will appear in the local 2009 tourism guide. Over the months it is also intended to promote the tradition and excitement of Highland Dance in the Sunshine Coast area by supporting community events wherever possible. Any questions? Any questions regarding the Champion of Champions Championship should be directed to the Competition Secretary, Mrs Jackie Paterson (telephone 07 3202 6418). Jackie may also be contacted by email at hujackie@tpg.com.au. |