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WELCOME
to the 'Focus on Oz' News page!
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'.