Andrew Nikolic (Bass, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last week, 39 music students from St Patrick's College in my electorate of Bass competed with great success in the Bands and Orchestras Division of the Australian National Eisteddfod held here in Canberra.

This was the 60th year of the National Eisteddfod and I am told that about 3,000 students participated. I am delighted to say that St Patrick's College Launceston won a gold award in the Jazz Band Section, held at the Lyneham High School Performing Arts Centre. They also won gold and platinum awards in the Concert Band Section, held in Llewellyn Hall at the ANU School of Music.

Bands from St Patrick's College regularly tour and compete at interstate competitions and have enjoyed considerable success over the years; however, this was the first national gold award for the school's big band, which comprised 17 young musicians, and the first platinum award for the school's concert band.

During their tour this year St Patrick's College students also performed at a number of schools in New South Wales and the ACT and enjoyed music exchanges with schools in Canberra. And I am sure they will also long remember their performance in the Great Hall of Parliament House last Wednesday.

I congratulate the school's director of bands, Fiona Mowat; tour manager, Cathy Ford; and teachers Darryl Tuppen and Roger Tattersall, who accompanied the students on their most successful tour. What a wonderful achievement by these committed and talented musicians, who have added their accomplishments to Northern Tasmania's proud history.