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Thu, 7th August, 2008
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A d v e r t i s m e n t s
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Thu, 7th August, 2008
2009 Championship steps
6th Aug 2008
 the 2009 Championship steps in the now familiar toeandheel.com easy to read format are now available for download
click on the '2009 steps' link above to download
happy practicing!
toeandheel.com
77th South African Championships
6th Aug 2008
 The 77th South African Highland Dancing Championships were held at the Benoni High School on Saturday 26th July, 2008. The proceedings kicked off with an opening ceremony led off by last years Champions - Gillian O’Leary, Courtney Pearce and Shannon van Gool. After the National Anthems, our Adjudicators were introduced. Helen Fitzpatrick (Scotland), Barbara Freeborn (Eastern Cape), Heather Booysen (Western Cape) and Gail Buchanan (Gauteng). The 2008 Championships commenced at 08:45 in perfect weather.
During the morning session all of the Highland events were held, leaving the afternoon for the National/Sailors/Jig dances. Presentation of the day’s events followed soon afterwards.
Results for the Highland Championships as follows:
7 to 15 years
1: Cendra Williams
2: Sharne Hinds
3: Shannon van Gool
4: Megan McRobert
5: Carroline Ramsay
6: Diana Johnstone
16 and 17 years
1: Caylee O’Leary
2: Courtney Pearce
3: Conrad Nusser
4: Niquita De Freitas
5: Kimberley Tee
6: Ashleigh Dyke
Adults:
1: Caitlin Boyes/Kearsney Smith (see note)
3: Leonie Thompson
4; Shendl Leahy
5: Natalie Visser
6: Jessica Workman
Note: For the first time in the 77 years of the Adult Championships we had a tie for first place, both Caitlin and Kearsney achieving 2 first and 2 second placings. The tie was not able to be split and we thus have joint winners of the Webster Trophy. Also, as far as we know, Caitlin is the first fourth generation National Champion worldwide. Caitlin’s Great Grand Mother Jenny McKean won The South African Adult Championships in 1933, Shonah Jamieson (Robinson) won in 1954, 1956 and 1957. Elinor Robinson (Boyes) won from 1979 to 1984 and now Caitlin has won her first Adult National Championship in 2008. It would be an interesting statistic to know how many other such families have achieved similar results in their respective countries. Both Caitlin and Kearsney will be competing at Cowal next month and we wish both of them, as well as all of the other South African dancers competing this year in Scotland, the very best of luck – enjoy.
The day ended with massed bands and dancers performing for an appreciative audience, followed by much merriment, music and dancing in the beer tent! Our sincere thanks to all those on the organizing committee – to Anges, Bev, “Shoma”, Mel and Avril and rest of the team – “Thank You and Well Done”
Robin Boyes
photo: (L to R) Elinor Boyes, Caitlin Boyes, Shonah Robinson, Caylee O’Leary, Gillian O’Leary, Kearsney Smith, Mel Smith and Cendra Williams
SA Champions full size here
USIR Winners
5th Aug 2008
 USIR Champions full size here
 Meghan Palmer
 Jean Stein
 Lauren Cooper
 Kelsey Crane
 Kari MacNaughton
Credit for the photos goes to Sean Martin.
50th Grand Australiasian Championships of Australia
14th Jul 2008
 Click below to see the large photo
Dancers (listed left to right)
Back row:
19 and over Shelley Keating 6th, Kara Broughton 5th, Natalie Rush 4th, Elizabeth King 3rd, Jane Scifleet 2nd and Kyle Marston 1st, 16/17/18 years Nicole McCallum 1st, Isabel Illingworth, 2nd Marita Everett 3rd, Emily Ingram 4th, Loouise Johnston, 5th and Amalia Cotter 6th
2nd Row:
13/14 years Shannon Elphick 6th, Elizabeth Feireaband, 5th, Jemma McCarthy 4th, Rachel Bonus 3rd, Anne Marie Feireaband 2nd, Shayleish Emmett 12/13 years Rebecca Smith 1st, Hannah Knowles 2nd, Hayley Clark 3rd, Alana Brown 4th, isabella Derrrington 5th, Jacqueline Taylor 6th
Front row:
10/11 years Vicotria Goode 6th, Canel Aitkin 5th, Madison Chrystie 4th, Chole Brewish Fougler 3rd, Abby-Jane Taylor, 2nd, Elie Roe Daniel lst 7/9 years Courtney Clarke lst Holly Keir 2nd, Ashley Draper 3rd, Calin Pascoe 4th, Connie dodge 5th, Kayleigh Carmichael 6th.
for full size photo - click here
2008 Grand Australasian Review
14th Jul 2008
What an event......it was a who's who of Highland Dancing in Australia with record entries from every State in Australia and also New Zealand.
These prestigious championships held a cocktail party on the Saturday Night, and presented all the former winners of the Adult Australasian Championships with a commemorative medal and certificate. All former winners spoke and what an inspirational night for all present.
Flora Carter (Grubb) who won in 1959, spoke of the boat trip which took 6 weeks to England to compete in the Worlds. How each day she had to practice in the children's playroom on the ship after 3 pm each say as the ship swayed with a record player. The people of Newcastle fundraised to send Flora to the Worlds which she won in l960. She taught Justine Daley who won the Australasians a record 4 times in Adult, twice in 13/14/15 years and one as a 12 year old. She then went on to place 5th in the World. Jan Roach who won in 1964 to 1966 spoke of how she still does a fling every day. Lorraine Paytyen who was a 3 time winner from 1960 to 1962 was also present. Congratulations were received from Scotdance Canada and many many more people. All former Australian Board of Highland Dancing presidents were present. Great names have won, including two former world champions, overseas past world champions and so many place getters in the Adult Worlds at Cowal. The Australasians have always had an overseas adjudicator. Teachers and representatives from all over Australia were present. Each Championship had every State of Australia represented, plus New Zealand Dancers. Marjory Gilbert our first Australasian winner was unable to be here due to ill health, the same for Mrs Dorothy Kerr, whose vision for Highland Dancing in Australia speaks for itself. It is sad that in the weeks prior we learnt of the passing of Kevin Desereaux who won the Australasian in l967.
On Saturday and Sunday all former champions presented the prizes and the recipients were thrilled. We also had a march past of all former Australasian winners
50th Grand Australiasian Championships of Australia
1st Jul 2008
The National Dancing Association of Australia is proudly presenting their 50th Grand Australasian Championships of Australia this year being held on the 5th and 6th July, 2008.
The idea to hold this event was conceived at a meeting held Wednesday 19th February, l958.
Mrs Vera Lacey, Director of the British Ballet Australia Organization and the National Dancing Association of Australia chaired a meeting with Mrs Dorothy Kerr, who was secretary to draw up a program and rules for this "First Highland Festival". So began our first Registered Championship with the S.O.B.H.D. A first for Australia.
Our first Open winner was Majorie Gilbert, our first adjudicator was the late Mr Jim McKenzie, who had recently arrived from Scotland and our first piper the late Mr Peter Davidson..
It is interesting to note that the placegetters of the 2nd Grand Australasian Championships are still active in the highland dance world today.
lst - Flora Grubb (now Carter) teacher, adjudicator and examiner who also became Australia's first World Champion.
2nd - Joan O'Neill NDAA Life member, former examiner and adjudicator.
3rd - Colleen McEwan, former teacher, adjudicator and now editor of "The Australasian Highlander" magazine.
Many Grand Australasian Champions have proceeded to Scotland to achieve further success, notably Lynne Dickson who became Australian's second World Champion in 1970 with Loma Henry from Australia coming 3rd the same year.
All the above having been taught by the wonderful Dorothy Kerr, who was honored as one of five senior representatives who had contributed a huge part of their lives to Highland Dancing and also produced a World Adult Highland Dancing Champion, in fact she had produced two,at the World of Highland Dancing Conference in Las Vegas.
Previous Grand Australasian Championship winners who went onto to place in the Adult World Overseas were Loma Henry, Jacqueline Smith, Anne Milne, Justine Daly, Grace Watson, Amy Martin, Natasha Millwood and Craig Johnston.
It reads like a whos who in highland dancing history in Australia. We are honored to have such a history of famous trophies.
The entries and support has been fantastic, with a lot of former champions attending. There is a cocktail party being held on the Saturday night at the prestigious Newington College.
We have much to thank rs Dorothy Kerr B.E.M. for her vision, drive and forsight are unsurpassed.
Maureen Fyffe
Register now for Advanced Technique Workshop
20th Jun 2008
 This annual workshop is aimed at premier dancers and focuses on advanced technique required for championship dancing.
10 times world champions Deryck and Gareth Mitchelson provide an insight into their successful training regime and tips on becoming a better dancer.
This one day workshop is held in Stirling on both the 18th and 19th August.
Click here to register online
City of Belfast Championships
13th Jun 2008
 Finalised schedule as below:
Friday 20 June
Spectrum Centre, Shankhill Road
2 30 pm Ulster Championships
Saturday 21 June
Waterfront Centre
9.00 am Primary, and Pre-Championships
10.00 am City of Belfast Championships
10.00 am Pre-Premier Competition
2.00 pm all Nationals
Commonwealth Championship
10th Jun 2008
 New Venue:
Cochrane Park, ALVA
Clackmannanshire
click here for entryform
USIR 2008 reps
29th May 2008
 Full 2008 rep list now available
Midwest regionals - historic win
28th May 2008
 A historic win for three Illinois Highland Dancers occurred this past weekend when for the first time in Highland Dance history three Illinois dancers captured the top titles for the Midwest. The Regional Championships were held at the Alma Highland Festival in Alma, Michigan May 23, 24, & 25th.
Two of the dancers are local residents.
Katie Crombie of Winthrop Harbor, a senior at Zion Benton High School, captured the Adult 1st place Championship title and also Dancer of the Day. Katie will be attending Alma College next year. Penelope Weiler of Wadsworth, an 8th grade student at St. Patrick's, and incoming freshman at Warren High School, captured the championship title in the 14 and under 16 age group. Jean Stein of South Elgin, captured the championship title in the 12 and under 14 age group.
Dancers from the entire Midwest region competed. This is the first time that three Illinois dancers have won three simultaneous championships.
Crombie, Weiler and Stein will represent the Midwest at the United States Highland Dance Championship that will be held in Denver, Colorado in July.
Midwest regionals results here
Granite city entries now online
22nd Apr 2008
click to enter online
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