HIGHLAND DANCERS from NSW and Queensland traveled to Armidale this month for a Highland dancing competition at New England Girls’ School (NEGS).
Around 50 competitors participated in the event hosted by the New England Burns Club.
Secretary of the New England Burns Club, Jenny Noble said the competition was generally a happy event.
“It was a great experience for our dancers to compete against others from a variety of clubs and different dancing levels,” Jenny said.
Brisbane adjudicators Barbara McCullough and Nidra Aitken judged dancers in seven awards types for each of the five dancing levels.
NEGS girl Hayley Whitehill won the New England Burns Club Scholarship on the day and said she did not expect to win.
“It was exciting,” said Hayley. “Country competitions are always enjoyable as there is much less pressure.”
Other local winners include Felicity Chapman, Sarah Westwood, lillian Maxwell, Lucy Mair, Lydia Devine and Abigail Shepheard in the Beginners and Novice Sections.
In the Intermediate, Restricted Premier and Premier sections, Bianca O’Brien, Holly O’Brien, Grace Paris, Emily Seaman and Hayley Whitehill all won awards.
Lucy Mair won the beginners Aggregate award, Abigail Shepheard won the Encouragement Award and Felicity Chapman and Lydia Devine won the Most Promising Dancer Awards.
The next highland dancing competition will be held in Glen Innes on October 1.
