Now in its 74th year, the Gunnedah Eisteddfod remains one of the region’s longest-running events fostering creativity and providing performance opportunities for thousands of children from Gunnedah and surrounding communities. Some children performing this year will represent the fourth generation of their family to take to the stage.
Not even COVID-19 could stop the Gunnedah Eisteddfod, with the competition moving online during the pandemic and attracting entries from across the country, including local families.
The impact of the Gunnedah Eisteddfod and the role it plays in developing young performers was recently highlighted in the Willoughby Theatre Company production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Quirindi’s Molly Owen starred in the lead role of Belle, alongside fellow Gunnedah Eisteddfod alumnus Jerome Studdy as Lumiere.
“I’ve been lucky enough to perform alongside a fellow country kid in Beauty and the Beast in Sydney,” Owen said. “What made it so special was that we were both products of the arts programs in our area, and without that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to share the stage years later.”
“The Gunnedah Eisteddfod is what sparked my love for performing. Growing up in Quirindi meant Gunnedah was one of the closer towns and the Gunnedah Eisteddfod raised me as a performer, now thanks to it I gained confidence and a love for singing. From there I went on to perform in Schools Spectacular, study at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music and perform alongside Jerome, as Belle and Lumiere, in Beauty and the Beast in Chatswood.”
“It filled my heart and made me so proud that I got to look across the stage at a fellow performer raised by the love and support of the rural arts community. I am forever grateful for the love that the Gunnedah Eisteddfod and community gave me and give every thanks to them for where I am today. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Studdy, now a Sydney-based performer and creative make-up artist, said his experience competing in the Gunnedah Eisteddfod demonstrated the importance of arts in the community — something he continues to prioritise in Sydney.
“I am dedicated to community theatre, it is an important way to share art and culture that’s full of heart,” Studdy said.
As well as performing the pivotal role of Lumiere, Mr Studdy also designed the wigs and make-up for the production.
“More incredible than these opportunities was my chance to be on stage with the one and only Molly Owen,” Studdy said.
“It has always been very apparent to me who the country kids are in the Sydney scene, because they always act with such kindness and appreciation for every opportunity. Sharing such a huge experience with Molly was something I’ll always treasure.”
“Growing up with access to organisations like the Gunnedah Eisteddfod showed me the importance of arts in the community, something I always try to replicate in my experiences in Sydney. I’m incredibly dedicated to community theatre, it’s an important way to share art and culture that’s full of heart. These institutions are so important to creating meaningful connection and allowing people to share and cultivate their talents.”
The Gunnedah Eisteddfod will take centre stage at the Gunnedah Cultural Precinct, with music events at the Town Hall from Wednesday, 20 May to Saturday, 23 May, and speech and drama events at the Town Hall and Civic from Monday, 25 May to Thursday, 28 May.
This year’s music adjudicator is Ian Jefferson, who has strong links to the local area. His grandparents, Ruth and Malcolm Heath, were founders of the Eisteddfod Society. Jill Tucker will adjudicate the speech and drama sections.
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