A TROUPE of dancers from Richmond North Public School have been voted the Primary People’s Choice in Australia for their Wakakirri performance, named ‘Between the foothills and the river’.
The group won the Best Community Award as state favourite at the Sydney Region Wakakirri Awards Night at the Quaycentre in Olympic Park last month, and has now gone on to be named the favourite in the country following an online poll whereby audience members from across Australia voted for their favourite school story performance of the year.
Tanja Kane, teacher in charge of the Wakakirri group, said the dance tells a story about the history of the fertile local area and the beautiful Hawkesbury River.
“Beginning with the Indigenous people who lived along the river banks up to present time we dance the story of how it has changed and become a unique and beautiful place to live,” Ms Kane said.
Audience member Wayne Scott from Kurmond said the performance was “an endearing journey though the history and community of Richmond. A terrifically strong and committed ensemble performance.”
The troupe performed a number of times for regional and state audiences, winning at a regional level the following awards: Excellent Ensemble, Excellent Group Dance, Excellent Construction and Clarity, Excellent Theme/Concept, Excellent Overall Set Design, Best Creative use of the Signature Item, and Best Backstage Crew.
At a state level, they won the Performing at Awards Night award as well as the Best Community Story Award.
Ms Kane congratulated all 93 students involved in the production.
“The teachers, students,parents and community members are so proud to win the national people’s choice award,” she said.
“Every child at our school was involved in the dance in some way, whether it was helping painting the Indigenous sunset and river or helping with costumes.
“The whole school community supported each other throughout the year and this was evident throughout the dances.”
She said the children were “so excited” to win audience favourite for Australia.
“This has been an amazing experience for our school and we would like to thank everyone for their help. The organisation, choreographing, costumes and props were all done at the school,” she said.
“Parents enjoyed the fact that their child was able to participate whether they could dance or not. All the children were committed to Wakakirri throughout the year and it’s wonderful that all of their dedication has been rewarded.”