HAMILTON’S 58th Eisteddfod has been lauded a resounding success with a celebratory return to live performance, as over 200 competitors took part in the competitions.

Thousands of dollars and awards were handed out to top performers over the two weeks, presided over by adjudicators of the highest quality.

President Leeanne Barber said this year’s Eisteddfod was especially great considering the recovery state everyone was in.

“Dance was just brilliant,” she said.

“The PAC was nearly full on Sunday for the troupes and it was just such an exciting day, it ran so smoothly.”

Ms Barber said dance schools from Geelong, Melbourne, Ballarat, Mount Gambier, Ararat and Portland attended and commented on the well-run event.

“Many of the non-locals who attend the event often say that they love to come to the Hamilton Eisteddfod because of the wonderful venue in the Hamilton Performing Arts Centre, and they love the fact that it’s so well run,” she said.

The dance component was not without setbacks however, with esteemed adjudicator, Brian Nolan, pulling out due to illness at the 11th hour.

“Angela Magill and Denise Fenwick solved the issue within the hour,” Ms Barber said.

“Angela has many connections from her professional dancing career, we were grateful to have her expertise to sort the matter out quickly.”

Filling in Mr Nolan’s shoes, Gabrielle Cronan boasted over 40 years of professional dancing experience.

A classical ballet dancer with the Western Australian Ballet Company in the 80s, many facets of theatre including wardrobe, stage management, and adjudication, Gabrielle went on to establish Dance Central, a successful Perth studio for many years.

“Gabrielle was very impressed with the level of dance, particularly with the open hip hop, she said she had never seen it at that level before, which is fantastic feedback,” Ms Barber said.

Hamilton Dance Company exceeded itself in the Open Contemporary/Lyrical Troupe section, winning first and second place from nine competitors.

This year’s dance competition saw a second Australian Ballet Summer School (ABS) Scholarship offered, to both the student with the most potential to pursue a classical ballet career from the 13 Years & Over dance section, and to the best 12 Year & Under performer.

These were awarded to Caitlyn Martin of Sanctuary Lakes (13 & Over) and Lily Schlakt of Ballarat Central (12 & Under).

The Australian Ballet School’s annual Summer School offers comprehensive training in classical ballet and other dance styles, in a variety of programs for national and international students at the world-class Primrose Potter Australian Ballet Centre in Melbourne.

The Eisteddfod finished on Monday with the speech and drama section, which Ms Barber said was a “lovely, relaxed and gentle” way to close the show.

“A high point was some lovely work from Good Shepherd Grade 5 and 6 students who had been given the topic of poverty and had written wonderful poems about this,” she said.

Actress, script writer, published author and Hamilton local, Louise Le Nay, was an “excellent adjudicator”, Ms Barber said.

“She made it known that she would be happy to volunteer to do a poetry writing session in some local schools, to teach students how to write a six-line poem and really engage your audience.”

Ms Barber thanked the volunteer committee for their efforts bringing the Eisteddfod together as well as the support of the PAC staff, recognising that without volunteers, there would be no event.

“We must thank the volunteer committee and volunteers who come and help us and support us,” she said.

Ms Barber also recognised that the Eisteddfod is supported by all levels of Federal, State and local government.