This year will have a special focus on school events, with the school’s choral and verse speaking sections shaping up to be two of the many highlights. 

The Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre is the venue for both of the major school events to be held in May and June.

The Eisteddfod provides an opportunity for schools to showcase their achievements in vocal and instrumental music, dance and speech and drama.

In addition to the experience of performing  on the stage, all Shoalhaven school entrants are considered for two special awards – The Helen Ring Award from Shoalhaven City Council Arts Board and the $1000 Schools Encouragement Award.

This year’s Shoalhaven Eisteddfod will be the end of an era for the eisteddfod committee, with president George Windsor set to make it his last in the role. 

At the City of Shoalhaven Eisteddfod Annual General Meeting on Thursday, February 22, vice-president Ona Frazier paid tribute to Mr Windsor for his dedication to the promotion of the performing arts through his role as eisteddfod president over the past ten years. 

She thanked him for his years of support and involvement for a decade before becoming president.

“He thought that the professional encouragement to children and young people, which the Eisteddfod gave, was something to which he could direct his energies and he has certainly done this over many years,” she said. 

Although Mr Windsor is stepping down as president, he will remain on the eisteddfod organising committee as publicity officer and one of the speech and drama co-ordinators.

He will also maintain the position of acting president until June this year.

School communities are encouraged to participate in the many school sections listed in the Eisteddfod Syllabus at shoalhaveneisteddfod.org.au

All schools have been sent an electronic copy of the syllabus. Individual, schools and community group entrants who would like a hard copy of the syllabus can collect one from the Nowra City Library, music shops in Berry and Nowra.

The City of Shoalhaven Eisteddfod will run from May 18 to June 7. 

Phone Ona Frazier for school enquiries on 4423 2802 or secretary Susanne O’Neill on 4423 6058 for general eisteddfod information.