2024 Eisteddfod Wrap-Up

Thank you to all those who joined us for the 60th Hamilton Eisteddfod this year!

Our milestone year was a great success, with competitors and supporters joining us once again to celebrate and enjoy the performing arts here in Hamilton.

The Committee was pleased to see an increase in competitor numbers this year, spanning across our Music, Dance and Speech & Drama sections. This growth provides a great experience for performers and audience members alike.

2024 Eisteddfod Snapshot:

• 102 Music sections
• 74 Dance sections
• 12 Speech & Drama sections
• Approx. 1,750 competitors
• 85 trophies awarded
• $17,000 awarded in prize money, trophies, medals, awards and scholarships

Our adjudicators in 2024 each had a special connection with the Hamilton Eisteddfod.
We were pleased to welcome Ms Janette Cook as our Music Adjudicator: Janette grew up in Hamilton, and went on to an accomplished career in music. She provided invaluable advice and feedback to the next generation of musicians at our event this year.

Ms Debbie Landel has adjudicated at the Hamilton Eisteddfod on multiple occasions, and it was fitting to have her back as the Dance Adjudicator for our 60th year. We have no doubt that Debbie’s vast experience has helped so many of our competitors over the years.

Ms Louise Le Nay returned as our Speech & Drama Adjudicator in 2024. Louise is a widely recognized actor and writer, and now calls Hamilton home. Louise’s experience and generosity have helped us grow and nurture this newer discipline at our event.

Results and placings from this year’s competition are available on the Results page of our website. Well done to all our performers, and a heartfelt thank you to all those who gave their time to make this event such a success.

60th Anniversary Celebration Cake – Music

Anniversary Celebrations

Running an annual event on this scale is not an easy feat, and we are proud to have continued the Hamilton Eisteddfod tradition for 60 years. Our Committee celebrated this milestone with two afternoon teas during the event.

In our Music Week celebration, Adjudicator Janette Cook spoke about growing up in Hamilton and her early experiences in eisteddfods. With an impressive 53 years of involvement at the Hamilton Eisteddfod, Ms Carmel Schlaghecke also spoke fondly of her memories of the event over many years.

In our Dance Week celebration, Ms Angela Magill spoke about her long association with the Eisteddfod as both a dance teacher and committee member. Ms Rachel Huf also shared her experiences as a dance student, dance teacher, and now a new committee member with the Hamilton Eisteddfod.

Looking to the future

The Committee has enjoyed the opportunity to reminisce on past competitions, performances, and highlights of the Hamilton Eisteddfod’s (first!) 60 years. We are heartened by the support offered by our community, and have already begun planning for the 61st Annual Hamilton Eisteddfod.

We’d love you to be a part of the Hamilton Eisteddfod tradition – contact the Committee to find out how you can be involved.

The Committee
City of Hamilton Eisteddfod Inc