Toowoomba Eisteddfod 2024: student meets former teacher who inspired love of speech and drama | Photos
The speech and drama sections of Toowoomba’s eisteddfod held a special moment for one former student and her teacher. See all the photos here.
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When Lydia Wade was at primary school at St Thomas More’s in Toowoomba she looked forward to her weekly speech and drama class taught by Sandra Neale.
“It was my most enjoyable time of the week, going and doing tongue-twisters,” Ms Wade said.
When Ms Wade saw her former teacher’s name on the program of the City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod she was so happy to know that she would be able to meet Ms Neale again and let her know that it was her teaching that had inspired a love of speech and drama.
Those classes in the 90s inspired Ms Wade to organise a speech and drama group at Toowoomba East State School where she is currently teaching.
Ms Neale was thrilled to hear that she had had such an impact on her former student.
The retired teacher and adjudicator said it was fantastic to hear and that as teachers that’s what they do it for – to give kids confidence.
“Speech and drama is a life skill, it really is,” Ms Neale said.
In the modern IT driven world where many people can’t carry on a conversation, Ms Neale emphasised the importance of teaching kids the art of communication.
“It’s so important that we communicate and speech and drama gives you the confidence do to that.”
The eisteddfod continues at The Empire until Sunday, May 19.
Scroll down for more photos.
Talent on show at Empire Theatre
The next generation of home grown talent took to the Empire stage this week as adjudication started in the 78th City of Toowoomba Eisteddfod.
Organisers said the dance section alone would welcome more than 1000 competitors, with a total of between 3500 to 4000 expected to part take in the first part of the event.
Competitors have come from across the state and the New South Wales border to compete in the dance, vocal and piano, choir and drama sections.
Young dances fresh from the Demi-character section could be seen dressed as licorice all-sorts, a painter and even Wednesday Adams.
Dynamic duo Elsie Eugarde (left) and Maddilyn Deller of JE Dancehouse claimed a clean sweep of the 8 years and under duo/trio sections earning first place in classical ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and contemporary.
“If I’m lucky I might get an ice-cream sundae,” Elsie said.
Part one of the eisteddfod continues until Sunday, May 19 at The Empire. More information can be found here.
Scroll through our gallery of photos below and don’t forget to check back as we add photos over the course of the eisteddfod.
Photo Gallery:
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