PIPING AND DANCING ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND INC.
Send all Highland Games related items and any other Piping & Dancing interest items for inclusion in this page to: pipinganddancing@xtra.co.nz
News:
1 December 2009 -Heretaunga Highland Dancers Xmas fundraising
The Heretaunga Highland Dancers have produced a studio calendar as part of fundraising and would like to offer them for sale to members.
Click here for the order form. There are 2 styles : an A4 size with 13 months and a photo on every page for $20 and a CD case calendar, ideal for the office desk and posting for $15
Any queries or orders can come to Kerren Withington
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27 October 2009 - Labour Weekend 2009 NZ Piping Championship results
2009 NZ Champion Solo Piper: Brendon Eade.
Photo courtesy of George McEwan
Brendon had a very successful weekend winning both the Silver Chanter MSR event and The Clasp (only the second time a piper has won both events in the same year), Open Piobaireachd, A Grade 2/4 March, and A Grade South Island Championship Strathspey & Reel event and two 3rd placings in the A Grade Streathspey & Reel and Jig/Hornpipe events.
For more information please view PBNEWS
Full results from all grades will be posted on the results page.
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27 October 2009 - Kapiti Caledonian Society Annual Highland Ball hosts Debutantes
The Kapiti Caledonian Society celebrated its 157th Annual Ball in August 2009 in which it had the coming out of 3 society Debutantes. The 3 young ladies where presented to local Labour MP Darren Hughes.
Image of Debutantes, Chief & MP. From left Caitlin Sprunt, Megan Luckin, Laura Wallace, Robyn Finlay (Chief), Darren Hughes (MP)
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27 October 2009 - Innovation Award 2009 announced
This years winner of the Innovation award for 2009 is the "Virginia Tattoo 09 Tour".
The trophy was presented to Mrs Sherilyn Hall on behalf of the 2009 Tattoo team at the October Piping & Dancing meeting.
Check out the Innovation award page for list of previous winners.
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22 October 2009 - upcoming P&D publication teaser
The next P&D publication that will be published prior to Christmas will feature several articles regarding 'Kiwi's Piping in Scotland' and 'Touring the Scottish Highland Games'.
This year again saw a large group of NZ Pipers making the annual pilgramage (or already living over there) to "eat, sleep breathe" Piping. We thought it only fitting to request a feature article from some of these pipers accompanied by some fabulous scottish highland games photos.
Below photo - Arisaig Highland Games tuning the pipes...
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22 October 2009 - NZ Academy Conference Solo Seal examination Highland Dancing spectacle
Highland Dance Teachers/Adjudicators/Dancers and general public were recently treated to a spectacular evening full of Highland & National Dancing at the recent NZ Academy of Highland & National Dancing conference weekend Solo Seal Examination. Five of New Zealand's champion Highland Dancers each performed 4 dances throughout the evening and the audience was treated to a wide variety of performances: Highland Fling, Sean Triubhas, Sword Dance, Irish Jig (single time and double time) Irish Hornpipe and Sailors Hornpipe.
Dancers (from left to right in photo below) from the evening were Jayden Withington, Emma Cropper, Sarah Chapman, Ellena Soper and Laura Nettleton
For a full review of the Highland Dancing Annual Academy conference visit the NZAHND website
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19 October 2009 - PACANZ Mazda Foundation National Young Performer Awards - WINNERS ANNOUNCED
The Mazda Foundation National Young Performer of the year awards were held this past weekend.
Congratulations to the the winners: 1st Emma Cropper, 2nd Jayden Withington and 3rd Ellena Soper.
Detailed overview and photos to come.
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19 October 2009 - Upper Hutt Highland Gathering
This past weekend hosted the 8th Annual Highland Gathering in Upper Hutt featuring a wide range of events including Solo Piping, Solo Drumming, Highland Dancing, Gathering of the clans, Scottish Country dancing - despite the rain!! There were some 100 participants providing Scottish entertainment throughout the day.
Results will be available on the Results page.
The treat for the dancers was a photo with Sonny the Scottish Highland Bull!!
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Novice Piping winners
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D Grade piping winners
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C Grade Piping winners
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B Grade Piping winners (most points absent)
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Dancing Most points and scholarship winners
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Clan Forsyth
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Senior Drumming winners with adjudicator Allan Cotton
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12-18 Irish lassies
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Under 10 Highlanders
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Under 10 Irish Jig
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Sonny the bull...
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19 October 2009 - Tauranga Scottish Society competitions
Tauranga Scottish Society hosted their annual October Highland Dancing competition on 10th October. The pipers for the day were Allan Murgatroyd and Mark Gray.
Photographed below are the competitors for the day - and the local boys in their Irish and Highland dancing regalia.
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15 October 2009 - Mazda Foundation National Young Performer Awards
The Mazda Foundation National Young Performer Awards are being held this weekend in Invercargill. Competitiors have been nominated from competitions and areas throughout the country, and also include the top ranked dancers qualifying from the NZ Highland & National Dancing Championships held earlier in 2009.
The Adjudicator at this years event for the Highland Dancing Section is Mrs Sue Gill, Christchurch.
Best wishes to all competitiors.
For full information regarding PACANZ and the Mazda Foundation National Young Performer of the year award - visit the PACANZ website
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12 October 2009 - notice to advise of remit change for commencement 1st January 2010
From the PDANZ Council mtg held 10/10/09: Change of Dress By Law Waistcoat Ladies - The Waistcoat is styled with points at the front, and a point or scallop at the sides and centre back. Carried To take effect 1/1/2010.
The bylaws will be updated to reflect this change.
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16 September 2009
Well done to NZ piper Tom Glover for a 3rd placing in the Dunrobin Gold Medal at the annual Dunrobin Castle Solo Piping Competition.
Results are available at Pipes & Drums
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16 September 2009 - Braemar piping results sets record for Kiwi pipers!
The Braemar Highland Gathering recently saw a new record taken by our very own NZ piper Marion Horsburgh. Marion won the Braemar Gold Medal for Piobreachd (first ever woman to do so!). In winning this event Marion won the Donald Bain Quiach. NZ's Greg Wilson was second.
Greg Wilson also had a successful day overall with a 2nd and 4th placing in the Strathspey& Reel and March events.
For more information - Visit the Pipes and Drums website
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9 September 2009 - Scotia Pacific publication deadline
For the Summer Edition of Scotia Pacific 2009 - Please send all articles/photographs/results to the Secretary, pipinganddancing@xtra.co.nz or by post to P O Box 40-777, Glenfield, AUCKLAND 0747 - Before 1st October 2009
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7 September 2009 - Scotland's Inverness Northern Meeting
Kiwi contingent pictured below:
Front: Murray Henderson, Greg Wilson, Richard Hawke, Tom Glover
Middle: Bruce Hitchings MBE BEM, Roy Gunn, Tracey Williams, Shelley Reid,
Back: Fiona Manson, Stewart McKenzie, Marion Horsburgh, Stuart Easton
NZ's Fiona Manson featured high in the prizelist with a 3rd placing in the Highland Society of London Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting day 1 of solo competitions.
Day 2 of the prestigious Northern Meeting saw Richard Hawke place a 5th in the Clasp event behind fellow ex-pat Murray Henderson who placed 4th, and Stuart Easton place 3rd in the B Grade March.
For more information - go to Pipes & Drums results page
That nearly wraps up the competitive season for the Kiwi contingent as various members are embarking on the long flights home.
Well done to all the NZ pipers and dancers who travelled overseas to compete this season - a truly great reflection of the talent coming out of NZ and a great example set for all the young up and coming pipers and dancers to show what exactly can be achieved on the international stage.
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1 September 2009 - North Shore Performing Arts competition
Congratulations to Brighid Blackman and Conor Hendry (both of Tauranga) who were nominated to take part at the upcoming Mazda Foundation National Young Performer Award in October 2009. They were nominated by the adjudicator at the recent competition hosted by Auckland Centre in conjunction with the North Shore Performing Arts Society.
Full results from the competition can be found in the results section of PDANZ site.
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1 September 2009 - The Highland Piping Society of Canterbury Inc. is proud to present a recital by Jim McGillivray Ontario, Canada
When: Friday, 23 October 2009 (Labour Weekend)
Where: St Andrews College Senior Lounge, Cnr Papanui & Normans Roads, Christchurch (entrance from Normans Road)
Time: 7.30 pm
Entry Fee: $10.00
The recital will include traditional bagpipes as well as small pipes! The prestigious Piper & Drummer magazine claims that Jim McGillivray is "one of the best all-round pipers -ever." Solo piping prizes include the coveted Gold Medals at Oban and Inverness, the Clasp at Inverness, the March/Strathspey and Reel at the Glenfiddich Championship and the North American Championship.
The pipe band world also felt his influence. For 10 years in the 1970s he played a prominent role in the Guelph Pipe Band's rise to the top rank of premier bands, leading the band in 1981 to its second North American Championship. From 1988-92 he was a member of the groundbreaking 78th Fraser Highlanders, winning three more North American titles with this illustrious band.
Jim is an active international piping judge. He has adjudicated at the Clasp at Inverness, the Gold Medal and Senior Piobaireachd at Oban, The Bratach Gorm at The London Piping Society Contest, the March/Strathspey and Reel at the Glenfiddich Piping Championship as well as numerous competitions across North America.
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31 August 2009
The Birnam Highland Games featured NZ Highland dancer Shelley Reid again in the results - Congratulations for the following great placings: 1st in the Fling, 2nd in Sean, 3rd in Strath/Tulloch and Sailors and a 4th in the Irish Jig.
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30 August 2009
Fantastic results for NZ piper Marion Horsburgh - at the Argyllshire Gathering, Oban. These Games are one of the most prestigious on the circuit attracting the very best of world renowned pipers.
Marion placed 3rd in the Highland Society of London Gold Medal against a strong team of over 30 pipers. Well done Marion - this is a great achievement. For more information click here.
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24 August 2009
Successful bells are ringing for NZ's Champion Highland dancer Shelley Reid. Shelley travelled to France and Scotland again this year competing with the Manawatu Pipe Band who placed 10th overall at the World Pipe Band championships. Since this competition Shelley and her fiance and Piper Stuart Easton have travelled to several Highland Games and competed with considerable success.
At the Glen Isla and Lonach Highland Games Shelley featured high in the prize list - taking the overall most points at GlenIsla and winning several events at Lonach against some very strong competition. Lonach results had Shelley winning the Jig, Sailors and Strathspey/Reel, along with 5th in 1/2 Tulloch and Sean Truibhas and 4th in the Sword. For more information visit Highland.net.
Stuart's success at the Lonach Gathering was outstanding also with a 2nd in the Piobareach event, 6th in the March and 2nd in the special William Grant composition. For more information please visit Pipes/Drums
Prior to the Pipe Band competitions Stuart competed as the only NZ piper this year at the Annual Lorient Festival in various events. The most noted award was his 4th place in the Maccrimmon Shield event for Breton Music. for more information please visit Pipes/Drums.
Well done Shelley and Stu and best of luck for further competitions.
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5 August 2009 - prestigious Dunvegan Medal event with NZ piper in the top Prizelist
NZ piper Fiona Manson, currently residing in Scotland, took out a 2nd place in the prestigious Dunvegan Medal held in Portree, yesterday. In the ligheter music section she did place 4th in the 6/8 March event.
For more information visit Piper & Drummer
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3 August 2009
Upper Hutt Highlanders held their annual winter competition and hosted the nomination class for the Mazda National Young Performer of the Year award.
Congratulations to Harriet Lintern and Caitlin Morris, both of Blenheim, who were nominated by adjudicator Mrs Jeanie Borsboom of Christchurch to perform at the prestigious award in October 2009.
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3 August 2009
Kiwi names in the prizelist again: this time from the Lochaber Gathering Festival of Piping and the Aboyne Highland Games (a favourite of webmaster!).
Click here for more information on Lochaber.
B-Grade Piobaireachd at the Lochaber Gathering Festival
Fiona Manson placed 2nd in the Piobaireachd event at Aboyne follwed by a 3rd in the Strathspey & Reel event.
The Annual Highland Games circuit is well and truly underway with many noteable NZ Pipers again making the trip for the Solo circuit, whilst others have set up a more permanent base in Scotland - from Greg Wilson, Richard and Jamie Hawke, Marion Horsburgh and Stuart Easton to Tracey Williams, Fiona Manson, Tom Glover (who are now almost considered locals!). Of course the Pipe Band gathering this year also sees the Manawatu Scottish Pipe Band featuring at a few smaller Games in the lead up to the World Pipe Band Championship in Glasgow.
Best wishes and safe travels to all.
Webmaster will be on vacation for several weeks too so no updates will appear for a few weeks. Check back late August.
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30 July 2009 - more Scottish Games Piping results coming through
Games held at Arsaig yesterday saw several kiwi names again in the prize list.
The Piobaireachd event had Tracey Williams (Hawkes Bay/Glasgow) placed 3rd, and Tom Glover (Christchurch/Scotland) 4th. Congratulations to both.
The light music events also were successful for both Tracey and Tom as both each placed 4th in the Strathspey & Reel and Jig events respectively.
We look forward to more news as it comes to hand. For more information, visit Piper and Drummer
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26 July 2009 Scottish Bound Pipers and Dancers
Safe travels for all those Pipers and Dancers travelling to Scotland this year to compete in the Scottish Highland Games circuit. Several are travelling over to compete whilst many New Zealand pipers are already based in Scotland and will be spending the next few weeks of Summer touring the various Highland Games.
Recent results saw Tom Glover of Christchurch (currently based in Scotland) placing 2nd in the Piobaireachd event at the Taynuilt Highland Games. Visit Piper and Drummer for more details
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26 July 2009 - Magazines showcase Highland Dancers
This beautiful poem and photo is on the back of the latest Grapevine magazine. The dancer is Samara Hansen, of Tuakau, taught by June Wright, Auckland.
Thanks to Grapevine for permission to reproduce photo.
The DANZ quarterly magazine is out with cover featuring two PDANZ dancers Jenna Wheeler of Christchurch and Tara Harris from Southland taken at the NZC Invercargill March 2009 and an article inside.
DANZ (Dance Aotearoa New Zealand) - The DANZ website has useful resources for dancers including nutrition and injury prevention, business skills, dance performance and rehearsal venues and funding sources.
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22 July 2009 - 2009 New Zealand Champion Under 16 competition photos available
Darren Moore, the official photographer at the NZ Under 16 Championship event now has photos available for viewing and ordering.
Click on the website www.dm-photos.com
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14 July 2009 - 2009 New Zealand Champion Under 16 awarded
New Zealand's Under 16 Championships were held this past weekend at the Ashburton Trust Event Centre with over 160 dancers making the trip to Ashburton from as far as Gore in the south and Auckland in the North. The Under 16 events themselves had up to 54 dancers competing for various titles.
Adjudicators were: Kerren Withington - Hastings, Jeanie Borsboom - Christchurch, Kylie Allison-Miller - Lower Hutt.
Special thanks goes to pipers for the weekend: Jamie Hawke, Neil Baxter, Michael Stevens, Richard Hawke.
The championship event was decided over the 10 dances with the overall winner being Rosa Sangster from Dunedin and runner up Alice Nettleton also from Dunedin. Both dancers learn from teacher Lynette Mitchell.
In the history of the junior NZ Championship events which have been hosted at one competition per year since 1992, 2009 is the first year that the same dancer has won both the Under 16 title and Under 18 title within the same year.
Congratulations to the Top 10 ranked Under 16 dancers:
Photo 1:L to R: Rosa Sangster, Alice Nettleton
Photo 2: L to R Top 10 Ranked Under 16 Dancers 10-1
Results will be listed in the results section in coming days.
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5 July 2009 - NZ Under 16 Championship competition
Best wishes to all dancers competing in the upcoming championship competition being held this coming weekend in Ashburton. Entries across all the classes are fantastic with over 50 dancers competing for the Under 16 Championship award alone.
Results will be posted the week following the competition.
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8 Jun 2009 - Hawkes Bay Highland Gamess turning 60
Next year is the 60th Jubilee celebrations of the Hawkes Bay Easter Highland Games and the committee are interested in any photos that anyone may have from previous Highland Games to be used on a photo board. if so, please email Lara Zidich
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8 Jun 2009 - Queens Birthday Dunedin Competition results
Stuart Easton was the overall winner at the Queens Birthday Solo Piping championships in the weekend. The Dunedin Gold Medal, was won by Richard Hawke. The Dunedin Silver Medal was won by Ben Murray. In the Qualifying Aurora MSR, Liam Kernaghan won the event and Richard Hawke won the Aurora Premier Event. Over 70 pipers competed throughout the weekend across all grades.
Photo below: Stuart Easton with the Roderick MacKenzie Memorial Shield, for A grade 6/8 March
Full information and article can be found at PB news
Full results are listed in the results section on this site.
Gold Medal Piobaireachd
A Grade 2/4 Marches
A Grade Strathspey & Reel
A Grade 6/8 March
Most Points:
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8 June 2009 - Innovation Award 2008 winner announced
The Innovation Award 2008 was accepted by Mrs Annetta Cowie at the Queens Birthday Piping and Dancing Competitions. The trophy was presented by Mrs Colleen Cole MNZM on behalf of the Council, to the Otago Centre in recognition of their exceptional organisation of the Centenary Annual General Meeting and Anniversay Dinner on the 18th October 2008.
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25 May 2009 - calling for photos from NZ Champs held in March
Webmaster would be pleased to source any photos from the recently held NZ championships - specifically of the closing ceremony Top 10 rankings from 18&over - and any photos of the winner and runner up dancers together from both the 18&over and Under 18 class. Unfortunately these are proving difficult to source and it would be ideal to post our 2009 Champion dancers on the main page.
Please email through to pipinganddancing@xtra.co.nz
and note any references you would like noted.
Thanks in advance,
Webmaster.
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25 May 2009 - Otago Change of Piping Judge for Queens Birthday Festival
Otago Change of Piping Judge for Queens Birthday Festival.
Replacement Judge Martin Frewen replacing David Pickett for Solo Piping events.
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25 May 2009 - Innovation Award 2008 winner announced
Innovation Award 2008 has been awarded to OTAGO CENTRE - for the Piping & Dancing Centennial Celebrations & hosting AGM and Dinner.
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20 Apr 2009 - Hawkes Bay Highland Games
Another fine Easter weekend was had at the Hawkes Bay Highland Games with great entries across all the events, including Dancing, Piping, Drumming and Strongman. Crowds flocked on both sunny days to watch and be entertained.
The Premier Piping events hosted by the Comunn na Piobaireachd saw the Clasp event held on Friday evening at the Lindisfarne College. Brendon Eade was the winner. The Gold Medal was won by Australian Ian Lyons, with the relatively new Silver Medal event being won by William Rowe. For a full report - please visit Communn na Piobaireachd news page
Full Piping Results can be found on the Results page.
Full Dancing Results can be found on the Results page - summary listing of most points listed below.
Trophy winners above in photo below.
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2 Apr 2009 - NZ Championship rankings and review
18&over Top 10 Ranking list
Under 18 Top 10 Ranking list
Photo courtesy of Southern Exposures Photography
Judges for the weekend were: 18 yrs & Over Avalon Moffatt, Iola Hocking & Shiobhan Smith - U18yrs Anne payne, Yvonne Fenemor & Raewyn Weggery.
Special thanks to Pipers Jamie Hawke Christchurch, Euan Cowie Dunedin, Jordan Caig Invercargill & Angus McIntyre Invercargill, they did a tremendous job.
Also to writers Melissa McIntyre & Rebecca Adams Invercargill who did a fine job over the weekend,
Chaperones Robyn Thompson & Pat Clarke did a wonderful job of looking after the dancers. There was a great number of entries in each age group with a total of 162 dancers - 35 in 18 & Overs, 41 U18 yrs, 17 14 & U16yrs, 19 12 & U14yrs, 25 10 & U12yrs, 21 8 & U10yrs, 8 U8yrs & 10 U7yrs.
While waiting for the final results The Shelley Coutts Ballet Dance School, entertained the audience with items. A Sunday evening post-competion meal was held at the Invercargill Workingmens Club which was well recieved, and enabled all the hard working team to relax after a full on weekend.
The committee would like to thank all "ring" in helpers for all the work they did over the weekend, and hope dancers enjoyed competing and meeting new friends.
Photos will be available to view and order from the Southern Exposures website .
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30 Mar 2009 - NZ Champions announced
Congratulations to Shelley Reid, Palmerston North for winning the 18&over NZ Championships, and Rosa Sangster for winning the Under 18 NZ Championships at this past weekends 2009 NZ Championship competition held in Invercargill.
Results and rankings will be listed soon on the Results page.
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9 March 2009 - NZ Champs update information
Programmes have been all posted out, those that didn't have a Postal code supplied with their address may take longer to reach their destination.
Please let the Southland Centre Secretary know if you do not recieve your programme.
We look forward to meeting everyone and wish you all a safe journey South.
Regards, Southland Centre Committee
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24 Feb 2009 - reminder Hastings Highland Games entries close
Reminder that entries for the Easter Hastings Highland games close 7th March. Please ensure all Piping/Dancing and Drumming entries are received by this time.
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16 Feb 2009 - Turakina Highland Games 145th Gathering another resounding success
The Turakina Caledonian Society hosted another successful Games Day at the end of January, yet again a stiffling hot day perfect for spectators and challenging for performers!
The day commenced with a large field of competitors in Highland Dancing, Solo Piping and side & tenor drumming. The ground was a mass of clan tents, Scottish themed gift and accessory stalls, bake & cake stalls, and scottish strongman activities.
Late in the morning the first of the pipe band events started with Grade 4 thru to Grade 1 pipe band events commencing in the late afternoon.
Participants, judges, spectators and campers alike were treated to a fine early evening recital by Gold medallist piper Richard Hawke, followed on by a Ceilidh evening with entertainment provided by 'Ben the Hoose'.
Of course the day wouldn't continue without the hard work of the committee and the key driving members Roz & Euan Grant and Bruce Cameron.
A full press release article can be found here.
Photos L to R: Dancing trophy winners, Roz and Euan Grant, Massed Highland
Fling, Clan Tents, Manawatu Scottish Society Pipe Band, Dancing scholarship
winners Christina Cotton and Brighid Blackman, Massed Bands, Evening Ceilidh
band Ben the Hoose and local dancers enoying the entertainment.
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16 Feb 2009 - Virginia International Tattoo update
USA Tattoo 2009 Update - 28 New Zealand Dancers will be departing NZ late April 2009 to perform at the Virginia International Festival Tattoo - USA.
After negotiations with Tattoo mgmt, we had been able to increase the touring team composition and can confirm that the Team travelling to Virginia, USA April 2009 will consist of 24 female dancers and 4 male dancers. The Dance Director, Eleanor Unger, is very happy with the Team composition and looks forward to working with all the NZ dancers.
The travelling team consists of the following NZ Representative Dancers:
Team Manager and Chaperones:
The Dance director is in communication with team management with regards to team construction, dance choreography and costuming creation. It is expected that the team will be performing two items ? one Naval themed and the other note necessarily Scottish in nature.
During the tour there are requirements for educational visits to College and performing arts centres, along with presentations and autograph signing sessions with local schoolchildren.
Whilst away, every endeavour will be made to post regular updates on the P&D website via webmaster.
Dancers and dance schools are busy fundraising to assist these dancers with costs associated with travelling to Virginia. There is now just over 2 months until the departure date. Costumes and choreographies are underway with the offshore management and soon, the team should become aware of the routines expected of them. The group are departing on April 22nd from Christchurch and Wellington to meet the rest of the team at Auckland Airport to fly out to LA through to Virginia arriving on April 23rd.
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21 Jan 2009 - Invercargill NZ Champs information update
Entries have now closed for the 18 & Over & Under 18 years NZ Championships, with a large number of entries having been recieved.
Please note that the Draws will take place on Thursday 26th at the Civic Theatre, Tay Street Invercargill with the following times:
If you have any queries or need to know anything do not hesitate to contact the Southland Secretary
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15 Jan 2009 - Burns Night celebrations in Wellington
The Wellington Association of Scots Society is celebrating the 250th anniversary of Robbie Burns birth and hosting a BURNS DANCE event on Saturday 24th January 7.30pm - 10.30pm at the City of Wellington Pipe Band Hall. Door Sales only - entertainment provided by pipe bands, ceilidh bands and more. Flyer can be downloaded here.
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10 Jan 2009 - Reminder entries close date for NZ Champs due
Urgent Reminder that entries close on January 17th (end of this week!) for the 2009 18 & over NZ Highland Dancing Championship competition being held in Invercargill end of March 2009.
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10 Jan 2009 - CELEBRATIONS OF THE CENTENARY OF THE PIPING & DANCING ASSOCIATION OF NZ (INC)
On the 18th October, 2008, the Otago Centre hosted the AGM of the Association, celebrating its centenary. This meeting, usually held in Wellington was allocated to Otago Centre in recognition of the formation of the National Association in Dunedin on the 3rd September, 1909. Among those officers elected for the ensuing year were:-
Life membership of the Association was granted to Mrs Colleen Cole MNZM, Christchurch. Mrs Kay Grout and Mrs Carol Jahnke displayed to members the beautiful trophy which has been donated by The Scottish Official Highland Dancing Association (Scotland) in recognition of 100 years of piping and dancing in New Zealand. This prestigious trophy will be competed for annually for dancing in New Zealand for Most Points in the 18 yrs & over NZ Championships class.
A dinner celebrating the centenary of the Association, was held in the Glenroy Auditorium on the Saturday evening. This function was attended by many present and past members, both piping and dancing, as well as supporters of the Association. Pre-dinner drinks were followed by the traditional Haggis ceremony, with a number of members participating.
Mrs Shiobhan Smith gave an historical insight into the beginnings of the Association, and other speakers included Mr Craig Peterson, Mr Jack Nicholson and Mrs Kay Grout. During the evening, entertainment was provided by dancers Laura Simpson, Kendall Reid, Megan Ferguson, Rosa and Serena Sangster, Nadine and Leighton Terry and piper Liam Kernaghan. Later in the evening, everyone thoroughly enjoyed a delightful musical entertainment provided by Mrs Gladys Hope and Mr Peter Chin, with pianist Mrs Heather Clough.
The Centennial cake was cut by Patron, Mr Jack Nicholson, and President of the Piping and Dancing Association, Mrs Kay Grout, during which Mr Ray Goodfellow played "Craig & Elizabeth Peterson's Hospitality" composed by one of our 2008 Scottish Piping Judges, Mr Tom Speirs from Portobello, Edinburgh.
This function was a fitting conclusion to a memorable year for Otago Centre and the National Association, and all visitors from out of town expressed their appreciation to the members of the Otago Centre for the manner in which this important milestone in the history of the Piping & Dancing Association was celebrated.
Visitors to the Otago Settlers Museum were impressed with the display in the entrance foyer of National Trophies for Championship piping - the Laurie Shield for Marches, and the Kenneth Cameron Shield for Slow Marches. Also included in the display were Otago cups for dancing - the Speight Rose Bowl and the Joan Renton Trophy - and a collection of medals won by Eileen McCarthy in the 1920s for Highland Dancing. One of these was from the Dunedin South Seas Exhibition, 1925.
(Courtesy of "Scotchpotch" - A joint publication of Otago Centre, Piping and Dancing Association of New Zealand and the Otago Centre Jubilee Foundation)
Photos L to R:
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