The official launch of the 2019 Shoalhaven Eisteddfod Syllabuskicked off on Thursday, October 25^th. 

A special event was hosted by Nowra Christian School, winners of this year’s Schools Encouragement Award.

Principal Rob Bray welcomed attendees and spoke of the value of the school’s participation, and the students’ excitement at taking part in the annual Eisteddfod. 

Chair of the Eisteddfod Committee, Mr George Windsor, acknowledged the contribution of Eisteddfod Patrons, Max Croot and Alan Soden. 

He also thanked past Chair of the Shoalhaven Arts Board, John Anderson, and current Chair, Counsellor John Wells for their support in pursuing adequate funding to enable the Eisteddfod to be held each year.

Eisteddfod Schools Convener Mrs Ona Frazier shared the value of the event for students across the region. 

“The positive impact of the performing arts on student learning has been acknowledged through academic research over time,” she said. 

Mrs Frazier spoke of how skills learned through dance, choral work and verse-speaking enhance and improve team building, confidence, and enrich language and memorisation ability amongst students.

“As a performing arts competition the value of learning through such an experience often enhances goal-setting and resilience amongst young people,” she said.

There will be a change of venue for some sections in 2019.

Schools’ Dance Section and Dance Troupes Section will be held at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre and the Schools Choral and Verse-Speaking will be held at Nowra City Church, North Nowra.

All other sections will be at the Nowra School of Arts.

The 2019 Eisteddfod Syllabus is available online at www.shoalhaveneisteddfod.org.au

Hard copies will be available at local music shops in November.