Loss of Rock Eisteddfod a 'disgrace'
Posted
Updated
Rock Eisteddfod axed due to reduced funding (AFP: Torsten Blackwood)
The annual schools' Rock Eisteddfod Challenge has been cancelled across Australia due to a lack of sponsorship and support.
The event has been axed after three decades because reduced support was pushing ticket prices ever higher.
Organisers say it was getting beyond the budgets of some families.
Rock Eisteddfod executive producer Peter Sjoquist says South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, the ACT and New South Wales had reduced their support, with Queensland the only state offering more.
Mr Sjoquist says the organisers are terribly upset and disappointed, but do not feel they have enough funding to put on a professional show for the first time in 30 years.
He says they will keep trying to get the show back up and running.
"We know that there's a lot of passion out there," he said.
"The teams can be anything up to 120 in size, so it's large teams of students across different age groups, so you've got the situation where lateral thinking, problem solving and all those sort of issues as a nation we need to be encouraging."
Mr Sjoquist says it had been costing $4 million to stage the schools performance event.
"This has been 30 years, over one million students participated in the event, so we're very disappointed," he said.
"The event has such a depth in the community, it's community building and we're just devastated."
The Eisteddfod was still getting a federal contribution.
Funding promises
The South Australian Opposition says it is a "disgrace" that the Government there had halved its contribution to $10,000.
SA opposition education spokesman David Pisoni said the Liberals would double the funding if elected on March 20 and would call on others to give more, so the event might be restored.
"What sort of message does it send sponsors when state governments aren't even prepared to sponsor an event like this?" he said.
"The Government cut its funding from $20,000 to $10,000 - we would immediately restore that $10,000 that the Government has removed."
SA's Assistant Arts Minister John Hill says more money is available if organisers can convince the Government the event can be a success.
"If we can assist them [to] get the model right, get more kids involved, then we're happy to put some funding behind what they're doing," he said.
"But at the moment there's concerns about the number of kids, the number of schools and the size of the audiences.
"That's the harsh reality, if they don't deliver they're not going to get the support."
Comments (67)
Comments for this story are closed, but you can still have your say.
-
ABC (Moderator):
09 Feb 2010 10:28:01am
Should the Federal Government step in with more money to save the Rock Eisteddfod?
Agree (2) Alert moderator
-
fred:
09 Feb 2010 11:01:01am
most defiantly compared to the money spent on sport for a gifted few the Rock Eisteddfod and other artistic endeavors encourage participation and opportunity for all.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
ron:
09 Feb 2010 12:40:36pm
A valuable part of our youth culture.
I think it should be funded by both State & Federal Governments.
Just ensure no promoters milk it.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
May:
09 Feb 2010 1:01:17pm
Sorry, can't agree with that.
The problem with the Rock Eisteddfod has always been that it pampers to the private schools who's budget can afford the competition. Public schools who cannot afford the glitzy costumes and glamorous sets don't often win, if ever. What should happen is that there should be a limit on how much schools are allowed to spend on the accessories; the competition should be about talent and not about which school and afford the best.Agree (3) Alert moderator
-
Tam:
09 Feb 2010 1:10:00pm
The government should definitely step in! It brings a great sense of community to the school and public.
Public schools may not be able to hirer dance instructors or buy glitzy constumes but they can still win! My public school was in the top 5 TWICE for Victoria while I participated.Agree (2) Alert moderator
-
-
-
Simon:
09 Feb 2010 12:56:57pm
Surely the money would be better spend on giving these kids a real education?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
d:
09 Feb 2010 1:02:23pm
NO!!!!!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
mel:
09 Feb 2010 1:11:30pm
Rock Eisteddford should definitely continue with major support from government. It's a wonderful vehicle for learning about teamwork and cooperation, for developing creativity and discipline, for building individual self esteem, school spirit and for general community building plus it's fun for all involved!!! Such a positive aspect of school life should NOT be lost!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
ABC (Moderator):
09 Feb 2010 10:28:33am
Should the Federal Government step in with more money to save the Rock Eisteddfod?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Mike:
09 Feb 2010 12:10:23pm
Can't get enough private sponsorship? Are we having the economic collapse that we are not having?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Rob:
09 Feb 2010 12:12:11pm
yes it should be part of the education revolution.
Agree (1) Alert moderator
-
Misha:
09 Feb 2010 12:21:20pm
This dance competition is the opportunity of a lifetime for these kids. It certainly is NOT a mere "boring dance show".
What better education in organisation, team-work, hard work, committment etc all while still having fun. No classroom offers this experience. And for some kids this will be the only thing of its kind that they'll ever experience in their whole lives.
Federal funding? Yes! BUT shame, SHAME SHAME on the state governments. The real responsibility lies with these greedy, narrow minded state governments. FUND FUND FUND such events I say.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
MDT:
09 Feb 2010 10:36:20am
$4 Million to stage a dance competition... perhaps this money would be better spent on education than a boring dance show.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Evad:
09 Feb 2010 10:45:01am
That is 4 Mill. nationally for an event that develops social skills, group/team work, arts, dance, music, lighting, staging etc etc..
This sort of event is exactly what developing children need.Agree (1) Alert moderator
-
Trevor:
09 Feb 2010 10:50:20am
MDT, don't you think the kids participating in putting together for the performances for this 'boring dance show' learn something from the experience?
Education doesn't merely consist of sitting in a classroom facing the blackboard.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
fred:
09 Feb 2010 10:58:44am
You don't get it! This "boring dance show" as you put it does educate the students. It gives the students opportunities to learn about and be involved in the many different areas of putting on a great production like scripting, design and building of sets, design and sewing of costumes, choreography, lighting design , sound design and production. just to name a few all of which can integrate the so called core subjects like maths, english, science etc.
These students are taught disipline and to aim for excellence.
If these young people were out taking drugs, stealing or generally getting into trouble in our communities the governments would be throwing millions of dollars at programs to reform them into what these students already are great citizens. We all know that prevention is better than a cure so lets support the many people who are doing great work with our future leadersAgree (0) Alert moderator
-
SJR:
09 Feb 2010 11:01:25am
Anyone who has been involved in the Rock Eisteddfod will attest to what an amazing experience it is.
The core values of teamwork, trust and basic hard work are hardly to be dismissed, not to mention the benefits of some serious physical exercise.
Saying it is a "boring dance show" is disrespectful to the thousands of students, teachers and families who have poured their hearts and energy into each and every performance.Agree (1) Alert moderator
-
cpk:
09 Feb 2010 11:12:52am
This is a disgrace. It is an event that promotes music, dancing and energy. it brings schools together.
in a world where we are getting lazy and fat, stopping these sorts of shows is a disapointment.
more and more of the "fun" aspects of school are being cancelled. 9 times out of 10, there cancelled because of funding shortages.
in my school, while i was in year 8 and 9, the school put together a volleyball team to go to canberra. this was only for those students in yrs 10-12. when i reached yr 10, this anuall event had fallen through the cracks due to lack of funding. the years prior our school didnt win the event, but we did pretty well, in the top 10 for 2 years running.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Ian Red:
09 Feb 2010 11:20:40am
It is being spent on education!
Since when has music and dance not been part of the curriculum, let alone the benefits of working together to create and stage a performance?
Could we stop subsidising car races and spend it on students please.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Sam:
09 Feb 2010 12:04:05pm
What, like the AIS?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Mike:
09 Feb 2010 1:00:30pm
$4 million could employ 50 teachers. Which has more benefit to society?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Brian Mitchell:
09 Feb 2010 10:39:32am
Yes, absolutely. This is a no-brainer for government funding. Eisteddfod encourages participation, teamwork, creativity, commitment, discipline and fun.
When you consider the millions poured into sports, it is criminally negligent that this wonderful showcase receives such negligible support from the states and federal governments.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Neil:
09 Feb 2010 12:20:21pm
Criminal? Well it really depends on the participation rate, doesn't it. Not many schools I know of are involved in this event.
But in principle, I agree, that this could be a great avenue and learning experience, it would be a shame if such an event was lost.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Noel T:
09 Feb 2010 10:46:03am
Well Krudd's solution to every problem is to through some money at it. They guys should front up and put their hands out. Too easy, and they'll probably walk away with a lot more than they need/want.
NTAgree (0) Alert moderator
-
Fred:
09 Feb 2010 10:47:14am
Once again the arts lose out.
Maybe they should promote it as a sport?Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Bob:
09 Feb 2010 11:40:37am
They could call it the Jock Eisteddfod
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Mr X:
09 Feb 2010 12:23:49pm
My thoughts exactly. It is most often the non-sports that lose out in funding. I am tired of it....very tired.
Maybe if they get Hewitt to compare and Bec to (try and) sing they will get more money....Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Simon:
09 Feb 2010 1:01:16pm
I'd rather see it spent on improving science education.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
iffer:
09 Feb 2010 10:50:15am
they say it costs $4 million to put on, and a million kids are involved
Easy solution - charge the kids 5 dollars each (extra?) to come play.
They have a whole year to earn it, and they they learn fiscal responsibility as well are all the dedication and performance skills.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Rodd:
09 Feb 2010 11:38:22am
I am afraid iffer you have got your maths wrong. The million kids is over 30 years and the $4 million is each year. So you are looking at $120 per student to self fund it which would be out of reach for a lot of families. In South Australia the government has just spent $100 million on a tram to nowhere but can't find $20,000 to fund the Eisteddfod.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Misha:
09 Feb 2010 12:24:39pm
YES Rodd GREAT point....
What kind of corrupt and short-sighted government we have here in SA..all that wasted money on a tram to nowhere that NOBODY but the dumb politicians wanted...AND NOBODY can get anywhere now cos we now have NO roads left.....
But exercise, dance, education fun etc for kids...nope $20,000 to much to ask....DISGRACEFUL!!!!!Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Sponson:
09 Feb 2010 12:39:55pm
Get your facts straight.
The Tram isn't to nowhere. It will be to Semaphore.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
M:
09 Feb 2010 12:50:40pm
$100 million on a tram to nowhere? Lightweights! You should come to NSW to see how the big boys play. The NSW state government is still planning on spending over $5 billion on a metro to nowhere - sorry I mean on a metro to a marginal seat.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
pegleg:
09 Feb 2010 11:42:51am
That was a million kids across 30 years. It costs 4 million each year to put on.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Tam:
09 Feb 2010 1:13:18pm
schools and kids already put in a lot of money for props, getting to rehearsals, transport etc. They shouldn't have to pay even more than they already do.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Daisy:
09 Feb 2010 10:54:54am
This is tragic news! When I was in high school this was probably the only thing I showed up at school for. The passion, leadership and teamwork foundations that this event offers our youth is so valuable. This would be federal money well spent in my opinion
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
al:
09 Feb 2010 11:27:35am
My Daughter , now 30 still talks about Her Time Participating, Seems like Goverments in Australia "Just Don't Get It".
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Paradise:
09 Feb 2010 11:05:16am
Originally, this concept was for live music, produced as an amateur hour competition. Gradually a mass miming extravaganza was encouraged to maximise participation and attendance of children and parents. Wealthy schools were known to enforce large levies on participants, funds being used to get professional choreography, sound engineering, etc. A view that it was all "rigged" and unfair on small-scale participants became commom, especially in state schools. So, what did it become and what use is it? Very little real talent is developed and improved and there is an Australian dead-end, in that variety and music on T.V. is disregarded. Sensationalist rags-to riches shows give amateurs a sense of hope, but it is not sustainable as these amateurs remain just that. "Idol" or "You've got talent" are self-defeating in our market. Not one of the former participants has improved, developed or gone on to professional levels of real quality. Australia is a cultural desert, precisely because the managerial class want a show for instant gratification, personal remuneration and vague entertainment value for the broad consumers of anything watchable. It's the road to rubbish and ultimate oblivion. No more progression to Midday shows, Daryl Somers, Tonite shows. They don't exist anyore. Even a Bert Newton, Graeme Kennedy, Paul Hogan, James Morrison, Delltones, etc would not have a chance. When, and if, Australians support good music at local level, things might improve. But when you watch the bowel-clearing rubbish on music tracks and "Rage", yuk!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
gb5:
09 Feb 2010 11:42:08am
Somebody called it 'boring'. That's their valid opinion. First lesson of show-BIZ learnt. People don't have to like what you do no matter how hard you work at it. Lesson two: no dough. That's the way it goes in the arts. Usually there's no dough. So, valid lessons learnt all round. Very good, and all without a league table.
Agree (1) Alert moderator
-
Trevor:
09 Feb 2010 12:04:50pm
Sorry Paradise, when was this ever 'for live music'? I was aware of it in the mid-1980s and it wasn't live music then.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Paradise:
09 Feb 2010 12:44:18pm
Trevor, it began, before your time, as a "Battle of the Bands" live music show. That means limited participation, and not much earning or kudos for the managers. The broadening of the base was to get a mass- marketing concept going. It's good of its type and we all hope it continues. But..,while the kids and schools make a big contribution, those in charge cream off a large earning. I could tell you of a private school that levied its participants $1100 per head to be "in it" nearly twenty years ago. They usually won or placed high, with undercover pro help, paid out of the slush fund.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
-
posthumourous:
09 Feb 2010 11:05:25am
Well about time!! How sickening it was to watch the "poor underpriviliged state schools" trot out their mega buck singing, dance and acting tutors and blitz the competition. My daughter goes to one of these "greedy" old private schools who had nowhere near the amount of money to spend on professional coaching as did some of the state schools. I guess it is further evidence that if a lie is repeated often enough, it will be believed.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
what the:
09 Feb 2010 12:28:40pm
Exactly, how about setting a budget for the teams, that may help.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Sync:
09 Feb 2010 11:05:45am
It's excrutiatingly boring and awful for anyone not related to a performer.
BUT! It's something which gives kids a chance to learn to perform in public, to design and choreograph a show, to design sets and costunmes. The educational and confidence building outcomes are inestimable.
For kids ffrom the country or from "under privileged" areas it's an opportunity to travel and realise that there is life beyond some limited horizons. This is a real pity and the various state governments stand condemned!
There's far more to education than Julia's tests...Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
May:
09 Feb 2010 1:11:38pm
Sorry, young kids can do all this anyway, away from school. There are many theatre companies, for children, young adults and adults out there! Go and look. I'm a huge theatre buff, but I honestly don't think the Rock Eisteddford has any right to be in schools!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
Mr R.M. Griffin:
09 Feb 2010 11:12:45am
Given the way the "Rock Eisteddfod" was used to push greenie rubbishand other left wing lies,Good riddance.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Jay:
09 Feb 2010 11:15:51am
iffer has a good idea above.
Yes - abit sad that the yarts don't get as much funding as sports - but seriously - over the years the whole thing has been hijacked by 'Mr G' type teachers choreographing portrayals of the holocaust to Michael Jackson (once seen, never forgotten - and not in a good way...)Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
John Dillinger:
09 Feb 2010 11:17:11am
4 million that could be better spent on anything else.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
John:
09 Feb 2010 12:36:02pm
IF it were a sporting competition, there would be no question of funding. But the arts?
If 1/10 of the money spent on sport was given to great institutions like the rockestedford, perhaps we would become a more tallented and less shallow society.
FOOOOOOTBALLL!!!!!!!!!Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
M:
09 Feb 2010 12:53:43pm
I don't object to sport funding in theory, however the way it is handed out in this country is absurd. All the government funding goes to the elite few at the AIS. Sport funding should be going to schools and to local communities, as should arts funding.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
-
Anne:
09 Feb 2010 11:25:41am
This has had its day. There was a time when all schools wore hats and gloves but we moved on. The majority of parents and schools would never be able to compete with those who can afford a lot more.
Better to put the money into schools that are trimming down arts programs they can't afford.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Andy:
09 Feb 2010 11:52:26am
Eisteddfods traditionally are where only the best from different schools etc come to match their talents against the best from other schools\groups.
The Rock eisteddfod is where the talented one from each school is surrounded by dozens of their untalented classmates lumbering round the stage in bad cozzies doing bad chory, miming to bad music. There is no art in that.
It is important to give em all a taste of the entertainmnet world but theres no need to make an expensive national event out of it. Do a school production, in house to the schools own budget, but please just send your best ones to eisteddfods.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
jess:
09 Feb 2010 12:03:26pm
Yes its sad that the eisteddford is no more. But there are other opportunities for kids to participate in the arts. Bring back the school musical which has the grounding in place to let even more kids take part as it calls for many different strengths to make one happen. The arts and technology students help make the sets/posters, the music students are the band, the drama students make up the cast and when i was at school alot of the sports students enjoyed helping back stage and learning about lighting/ stage management.
That said i wouldn't be adverse to the 4 million being used to SAVE VCAAgree (0) Alert moderator
-
Deb:
09 Feb 2010 12:04:35pm
To quote my favourite tea towel:
"it will be a great day when our schools and cultural institutions have all the money they need and the military has to hold a cake stall to buy guns"
I participated in the Rock Eisteddford when I was a student at a public high school - we fundraised to buy all the props and materials, designed and made our own costumes, choreographed our own routines, and did our own make-up. It was a magical experience that I've never forgotten. I think this is a great shame - even if many of the private schools miss the DIY message in their efforts to win.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
what the:
09 Feb 2010 12:27:22pm
Maybe if the schools stopped trying to outdo each other every year and just get bigger and bigger sets, that may help with the growing costs. How about just concentrating on the kids, rather than just winning.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Laurel Kinross:
09 Feb 2010 12:28:27pm
It is appalling to think that state governments are pulling away their support of a community based program. This program has provide an opportunity for students to work in teams, plan together, establish new friendships, develop new skills and relate to adults. All of these are positive concepts which we applaud in young adults. If this was a sports program everyone would be up in arms. State governments pull your weight and support The Rocka concept.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Kiefer:
09 Feb 2010 12:39:37pm
Students can 'to work in teams, plan together, establish new friendships, develop new skills and relate to adults' in many other ways.
The rock eisteddford is a prime example of the dumbing down of society. Learning to mime to music, wow, what a skill.Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
pete:
09 Feb 2010 12:29:07pm
No, the government should not step in and fund it. Let the kids go to school for the reason they go, to learn numeracy and literacy rather than how to dance and sing. Who knows, maybe their school ratings might improve.
What are people going to ask for next, government funding for schoolies week? No wonder we are known as a nanny stateAgree (0) Alert moderator
-
dan:
09 Feb 2010 12:30:06pm
Why don't you people just play sport or put on your own dance show?
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Gman:
09 Feb 2010 12:31:00pm
You people are so funny! Every time something falls down or dies, there is some sniveller crying out for Government assistance. And those same people then whine that the country is too welfare-based. Sometimes, no matter how much you water a plant, it still dies. Let it go - buy the Rock Eisteddford collection on DVD and put it beside all the other 'classic gems' of the past, like Monkey Magic and the Benny Hill Show.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Roy G Biv:
09 Feb 2010 12:51:52pm
What have you got against Monkey Magic? He never hurt anybody. Well, except for whacking hoards of demons and extras with his highjump bar that is.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Gman:
09 Feb 2010 1:15:24pm
I have no personal animosity towards Monkey Magic, Spectrum Man, but the show is as current today as the Rock Eisteddfod. We live in an age of meaningless logos (the acronym LCM has no actual meaning) and assigning value to presentations that were middling at best at the time they were produced. But I take your point, Monkey Magic and, possibly, the Rock Eisteddfod, never hurt anyone!
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
-
-
Libby:
09 Feb 2010 12:33:05pm
Why should there be these endless handouts to schools? Why aren't the schools (parents?) raising the money themselves like we did all those years ago when I was at school? There is as much to be learned from fundraising and making-do as there is from the performance.
All that said, however, how much is spent on sports??? At least the Rock Eisteddfod is about the yarts. As an employer, I think the best use of the money would be debating, to teach schudents heaw da tork bedder. You need teamwork to survive at work, but you need the communication skills to get you into the job. That's partly why private schoolies and higher socio-economic youth do better in the job market. It's all about presentationAgree (0) Alert moderator
-
SLW:
09 Feb 2010 12:36:25pm
I have been to the NSW heats and premier final for the last 6 years> The quality of the performances at this level is as good as most stage shows.
The time and effort that goes into the costuming, choreography and set design for so many schools is a valuable experience for all that participate. I am forever appalled at the amount of funding that goes into sport as opposed to the arts.
This experience is invaluable for the students of the schools who commit their time to the event. It cannot be cancelled. What can we do?Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Hoffy:
09 Feb 2010 12:52:44pm
At last it has happened, never again will we be tortured by this horrendous travesty, it was like watching the Eurovision song contest minus any talent, hoorah for such a wise and compassionate decision.
Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Ploppy the Jailer:
09 Feb 2010 1:03:14pm
Nope.
$4 million nationally could be spent on a whole raft of lots better things.
How about computers for remote area schools for a start, or more teachers for them?
And while we are at it, drop sports funding by about 2 thirds (hell, all of it - why should government be meddling in vote-gathering exercises like this anyway).Agree (0) Alert moderator
-
Harry Rimmer:
09 Feb 2010 1:22:25pm
I've never understood the point of it, training kids to mime to music.
Nonetheless I'd rather see a bit more money spent on this sort of thing and a little less on sport.Agree (0) Alert moderator
Comments for this story are closed, but you can still have your say.
Search ABC News
Featured Video
-
Video
Selling cane toads to China and making a profit from one of Australia's most notorious pests.
-
Video
Wash and blow dry: the new machine which gets canines clean.
-
Video
Michael Clarke says he's fully focused on Friday's test despite the recent controversy surrounding his private life.
-
Video
Violence in Jerusalem: Rubber bullets and tear gas are exchanged as Palestinians and Israeli police clash.
The ABC News Online Investigative Unit encourages whistleblowers, and others with access to information they believe should be revealed for the public good, to contact us.
