Bomaderry High School Rock Eisteddfod Challenge Award
Page: 7968
Mr W. D. SMITH (South Coast) [5.56 p.m.]: One of my most pleasurable experiences recently has been to witness a South Coast high school, Bomaderry High School, win the year 2000 Rock Eisteddfod Challenge at the Sydney Superdome. The award was especially close to my heart because I taught at the school for 14 years. It was an honour for me to share this occasion as a member of the audience. And what a thrill it was to be there when the winners were announced and in fact to present the second place award to Randwick boys and girls high schools. This was a wonderful occasion. Bomaderry was among the 13 contenders from regional and city areas from public and private schools.
In the 21 years of the Rock Eisteddfod, Bomaderry high has participated in the past 11 and done very well, with a second place one year and a third place another year. This year the school chose the willow pattern story as its theme. Many of us know of the blue and white china plates that feature the pattern and the story of the ill-fated Chinese lovers immortalised as turtle doves. Although I am familiar with this ancient Chinese legend it was not until Bomaderry High School brought it to life at the Rock Eisteddfod that I remembered hearing the story when I was a youngster. To the credit of the production, Bomaderry presented a brilliant combination of traditional music with striking colour and performances. I must congratulate the 120 students, teaching staff and parents who participated.
Also deserving of congratulations are the students who had performed in previous years and came back to assist. Parents whose children performed in previous years also came back to assist in the production. This whole of school community effort allowed Bomaderry to take first place. Teachers Chris Cook, Wendy Pryce and Lynn Stubbles deserve special mention for their work in organising the event and managing the staging and the choreography. The Principal of Bomaderry High School, Jill Appleton, also deserves mention because she has been a strong supporter of the Rock Eisteddfod from the beginning. It was wonderful to see the encouragement that was given to these young people, many finding something in themselves that they did not know they had—whether it be singing, dancing, acting, painting and building sets, designing and making costumes or doing the make up for the performers. The students had the opportunity to learn the practicalities of stage production and design.
The success for Bomaderry high is another fine example of the creative talent we have on the South Coast, once again in the performing arts category. Our young people are more and more inclined to be interested in getting involved with such activities, particularly wherever the rock scene is involved. Most of the South Coast community concentrates on more conservative conventional aspects of culture and often our young people have a difficult time attracting fair attention to their own cultural interests. Thankfully, times are changing and more and more opportunities are becoming accessible in the region for young people to discover their talents. The Rock Eisteddfod in and of itself has been a remarkable showcase for young people across the nation. New South Wales has been one of the significant supporters of this event. There was talk some months ago that the event may well be cancelled, that this would be the last one. I, for one, certainly do not want to see that happen.
The message behind the Rock Eisteddfod this year was "a 100 per cent tobacco, alcohol and drug-free lifestyle". I believe it is essential that young people recognise that the modern rock scene and contemporary arts and culture do not have to revolve around a loose, substance-abuse culture. Those days have passed. The entertainment and rock business is just that: a business that demands professionalism and determination. While we know that this seedy culture does exist to some extent, it is nothing to be admired by young people, and the Rock Eisteddfod has been making it clear to thousands of young people for 21 years that success in the performing arts industry can be achieved through ability and that it can continue with a healthy lifestyle.
I hope that the Rock Eisteddfod continues for our young people. I hope also that we will have support from the contemporary music industry, with sponsorship and contributions to events that allow young people to perform and be entertained among their peers. Most particularly, giving these opportunities to young people in regional areas can make them feel more connected to this scene. The South Coast celebrates the win by Bomaderry High School and congratulates all those involved. We look forward eagerly to next year's event. Well done, Bomaderry High School. I am extremely proud to be the member for South Coast and I am extremely proud of your victory in this Rock Eisteddfod.
Ms NORI (Port Jackson—Minister for Small Business, and Minister for Tourism) [6.01 p.m.]: I join the honourable member for South Coast in his congratulations of Bomaderry High School. The fact that the eisteddfod has been going for 21 years and that the school has done so well in its participation in the 11 other eisteddfods during that 21-year period are to the great credit of the students, parents and staff of the school. It is fantastic that a regional high school in New South Wales has taken out that award. I take this opportunity to congratulate the staff on the effort that they have put in. That effort clearly is above and beyond the call of duty and is what makes our education system so great. The teachers, through their dedication, are giving those students something that cannot be learnt from a textbook or bought with money.