MEDIA INFORMATION Monday 1 June 09
Community Contribution to Celtic Dance culminates
in QLD Day Award
Mrs Jacqueline Wilson, Principal of Cairns Scottish & Irish Dance Academy receives QLD Day Award from Steve Wettenhall MP yesterday at a ceremony held at Holloways Beach Environment Centre
One of Australia’s most respected Irish and Highland dance teachers and adjudicators, Jacqueline Wilson, has been recognized by peers for her community contribution to Celtic dance with a Queensland Day Award.
Mrs Wilson was honoured yesterday when she was presented with her award at a ceremony attended by family, friends, parents and students of the Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy.
Mrs Wilson was nominated for her award by parents of the dance school following the successful Celtic Roots show she choreographed in conjunction with musician, Kirk Steele and his band, Get Reel.
In presenting the award, Mr Wettenhall said, ”Your services to the community have been recognised by your peers and I am pleased to be able to offer a small award to thank you so very much for your contributions”.
Mrs Wilson said she was very honoured and on receiving it, said “This award belongs to my family and also the students and parents of the dancing school – because without all of you I could not do what I do.
“I do it because I enjoy working with children, love music and dance and want to make a difference in the lives of the children I teach. It is as simple as that,” said Mrs Wilson.
Jacqueline Wilson founded the Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy in 1983. She has been teaching both Highland and Irish dance forms for the past 26 years and is now assisted by both her daughters, Catherine Wilson and Alison Gaustad, who are also registered teachers. This is the second time Jackie has received recognition for her services to Highland and Irish Dancing in Cairns. In 1999 she was awarded the Cairns City Council Australia Day Senior Cultural Award.
In 2009, the Cairns Scottish and Irish Dance Academy has 35 students enrolled ranging in age from 5 to 25.
Mrs Wilson’s students have performed to both national and international audiences over the years and later this year, two students, Catherine Wilson will perform in Basel in Switzerland with OzScot Australia Highland Dancing Team and will be joined by Belinda Worthy in Edinburgh for the month of August where both girls will perform with OzScot at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Jacqueline herself will be judging at the Burnham Highland Games in Perthshire in Scotland on 29th August and will attend the 2010 Championship Steps Lecture hosted by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing in Paisley near Glasgow on the 30th August. As Secretary of the Far North Queensland Regional Committee of Highland Dancing, Jackie will bring back a wealth of knowledge to share with her colleagues here in North Queensland on her return.
This weekend, Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 June, the “City of Cairns” Festival of Highland and Irish Dancing Association together with the AIDA North Queensland Sub Committee will play host to the City of Cairns Festival of Highland Dancing and North Queensland Irish Premierships at St Mary’s Catholic College.
These events (Highland Festival and Irish Ceili on Saturday and Irish Premierships on Sunday) have attracted competitors from around Queensland and will provide a great spectacle throughout the weekend with music, skill and colourful costumes displayed by dance students of all ages.
The weekend of competition begins on Saturday 6 June at 8.30 am at St Mary’s Catholic College. Contact Jacqueline Wilson on mob: 0419 785 817 for further information.
Ends
Issued by: Pip Miller PR mob: 0419 681543
Jacqueline Wilson is honoured for community service to celtic dance by Steve Wettenhall MP