Wednesday 6 October, 1999:    * I apologise for the long absence from updating the pages. Due to
                                                         the month's break, the 1999 Australian National Championships have
                                                         been and gone! All of the  Queensland dancers who went to Wollongong
                                                         last week were a credit to themselves and their dance schools. Particular
                                                         congratulations go out to 'Focus on Oz' feature dancers Ross Dowling
                                                         (Lynagh) and Adrian Walker (Watkins) who are now Australian National
                                                         Champions in their respective sections. Sean O'Brien (Horgan-Peirce, 2nd)
                                                         and Davydd McDonald (Crocker, 3rd) joined Adrian in the 1,2,3 sweep of
                                                         the Junior Men's Division.

                                                        * Shannon O'Brien improved on last year by placing 3rd, Brighid Cox was
                                                         the top Qlder in her section in 10th, Carmel Walker was 8th and Aidan
                                                         O'Brien placed 10th. Special congratulations also go out to Michelle
                                                         Williams who once again proved she's the best in Australia by winning
                                                         the Senior Ladies crown.

                                                        * The next competition on the calendar are the AIDA Premierships for
                                                         Beginner, Primary and Intermediate dancers on the 30th of October.
                                                         The final competition of the year will be the Crocker School Feis in
                                                         November which will be for Beginner and Primary levels only.
 

Wednesday 1 September, 1999:    * After an exciting and tense weekend of dancing, Queensland's
                                                            new State Champions for 1999 were decided. (See Results page
                                                            for full placings) Queensland's Irish dancing community
                                                            farewelled both Carmel Walker and Kathleen Ryan. As already
                                                            mentioned, Kathleen is off to Riverdance; whilst Carmel Walker
                                                            has decided to retire as of the '99 Nationals. Her beautiful dancing
                                                            and presence over her career will be missed!! Good luck Carmel!

Wednesday 25 August, 1999:     *    Congratulations to Australia's newest Riverdance inductees....
                                                            Kathleen Ryan from Brisbane and Scott Porter from Sydney. The two
                                                            dancers join the six Aussies already touring with the famous show.
                                                            (Liffey Company: Conor Hayes, Sean Kelliher, Meaghan Berne,
                                                            Maryanne Fogarty, Craig Currie-Henderson. Lagan Company: Holly
                                                            McGlinchy)
 

Monday 23 August, 1999:     *     Only 5 days to go until the 1999 Queensland State Championships at
                                                        Ormiston College on Saturday. All of the States' top dancers will be
                                                        there to fight it out for the opportunity to be Queensland's best. This
                                                        will be the last major competition before the National Championships
                                                        in NSW next month. Best of luck to all of the dancers competing and
                                                        commiserations to those who are unable to compete due to injury.

                                                  *    Davydd McDonald's profile has been added.

                                                  *    The results of the 1999 State Championships will be uploaded early
                                                        next week.
 

Friday 6 August, 1999:          *    The 1999 Queensland State Championships begin just 3 WEEKS from
                                                      tomorrow on Saturday, 28th August and continues until Sunday evening.

                                                *    At the completion of the QLD Championships there will be just 4 weeks
                                                      and 2 days until the opening competition day of the 1999 Australian
                                                      Irish Dancing Championships to be held on the 28 - 3 October in
                                                      Wollongong, NSW.

                                                *     Congratulations to Qld's Sean Kelliher who continues to perform at the
                                                       incredible dancing standard required by 'Riverdance'.  Sean is an
                                                       Understudy to Principal lead dancer Breandan de Gallai in the 'Liffey
                                                       Company'.