11-hour trip to keep dance eisteddfod dreams alive

The Stanton family shares why they drove to the Darling Downs after the Mackay Eisteddfod was cancelled

Ready to perform are Amity Matthews (left) and Annie Stanton from Mackay at the Darling Downs Eisteddfod at Millmerran Cultural Centre, Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

THE dance eisteddfod is undoubtedly the biggest day on the calendar for many aspiring young Mackay dancers each year.

Families can spend countless hours and hundreds – even sometimes thousands – of dollars preparing for the dazzling event.

But after COVID-19 restrictions forced the Mackay Eisteddfod to be cancelled, some families looked elsewhere.

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Mackay mum Kylee Stanton said her 11-year-old daughter Annie had a fantastic time competing at the Darling Downs Eisteddfod alongside her friend Amity Matthews last week.

It took place at the Millmerran Cultural Centre in Toowoomba, about 11 hours drive from Mackay.

Down from Mackay are (from left) Amity Matthews, mum Sarah Renehan, Kylee Stanton and daughter Annie Stanton for the Darling Downs Eisteddfod at Millmerran Cultural Centre, Wednesday, August 19, 2020. Picture: Kevin Farmer

“All of my family are down in South East Queensland so there was no second thought about jumping in the car because I caught up with all my family,” Ms Stanton said.

But this was not the first time Annie has competed outside of Mackay.

“Last year, we did six competitions all together – one of which was the Mackay Eisteddfod,” Ms Stanton said.

There was also the KAR Dance competition in Mackay as well as eisteddfods at Kingaroy, Toowoomba, Ayr and Gladstone.

“This year, we were going to do more again,” Ms Stanton said.

“We were going to do Emerald and a couple of other ones as well.”

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The mother of five said the hours driving across the countryside for her daughter’s dancing was worth it.

“It is a huge commitment but the kids have a dream,” she said.

“Who am I to say, ‘You can’t live that dream’?

“We commit that to them (the kids) as long as they commit to the workload.”

Annie Stanton and Amity Matthews travelled from Mackay to perform at the Darling Downs Eisteddfod at Millmerran Cultural Centre. Picture: Contributed

She added the competitions had given her daughter performing experience and increased her confidence levels.

“Her ballet exam is next on her list of things to cross off,” Ms Stanton said.

“Then I think we’re going to Cairns for a dance festival in October.

“I’ve got to travel there for work anyway.”

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